The midpoint of the summer holidays. The grass in the garden is worn to a nub. The kitchen has been eaten empty, several times. I've accomplished almost nothing and I've got (another) splitting headache. I think summer might be too bright for me.
I'm in a slump, and in the words of Dr Seuss, I need to unslump myself. Any tips gratefully received.
I've set a new world record for the amount of time taken to write a blog post. Writing gloomy paragraphs of self-pitying whinging and then deleting them. Eating crisps. Watching rubbish tv. Cheering myself up with a nice dark chocolatey snack. Therein may lie the problem. Routine has slithered away, sugar is here, there's not enough fruit (unless you count the sultanas in the giant chocolate chip cookies) and not enough exercise.
I yearn to be one of those energetic people who takes on the world and wins every single day. But I tend to have too many days where I can barely take on teatime. I shall make more of an effort I think. I'm convinced that good diet, exercise and sleep will do me a power of good. I shall start tomorrow.
Photos from a Sunday afternoon walk by the canal. Not my favourite place to walk if I'm honest. I prefer something a little more varied, or dramatic, or with a hill and a view. Or maybe North Wales has just spoiled me for a bit. I shall get over it all and stop being ridiculous.
Hope the summer is going well with you. CJ xx
As much as I wish you were having more fun right now, your post comes as a relief to me. You've captured so much of what I feel when the routine goes to hell and everyone is sitting around for weeks on end. It's weird because I love to be busy but it's almost like I can't make myself be busy enough with help from some organized (i.e. mandatory) outside force. Left to my own devices, I just wallow in boredom and aggravation and a deep desire to be alone for a little while. It's thundering outside right now, which could mean something exciting for a few minutes. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week. Eat some chocolate for me, mine is all gone.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a case of holiday blues, you will soon be back in your stride. In the meantime like Jennifer eat some chocolate for me too.
ReplyDeleteOh thank god it's not just me. I've eaten so much crap and drunk way too much wine (seriously, at 5 pm I am looking for the corkscrew) since the holidays started. I need the routine of school to save me from myself. Does your house also get constantly, continuously trashed? It's natural we feel this way. I am glad I have our holiday on Friday to look forward to, but the weather forecast was depressing reading. Hey ho, onward and upwards my lovely. xx
ReplyDeleteI now realise the hypocrisy of my just-published dining room post. Please be assured that all junk, clutter and general mess was pushed - teetering - out of shot into the kitchen and the children were told to Leave Mummy Alone for half an hour.
DeleteWe're at the end of our hols, would love to be back in the middle of them. At the moment I'm supposed to be filling out application forms for supply teaching in other local authorities as I'm getting worried about hearing nothing from the one I'm with. I detest the application forms we need to complete, they're horrendous. Sigh. I've also just eated two tubes of smarties and a box of pound shop chocolates. Grrrr. Apologies for moaning all over you blog!
ReplyDeleteeaten not eated, haha! Call myself a teacher! And (such a rebellious way to start a sentence) it should of course be your blog not you blog...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it's not just me! Sometimes I claim it's all because of the miserable summer we're having, all grey skies and cold enough for jumpers, but I know that just my excuse. It's the lack of routine and motivation. I don't even bother to try to write a blog post at all at the moment, at least you can be proud to have accomplished that ;-)
ReplyDeleteGo for a run Ceej, just a little one. Force yourself out for 5 mins and then do a bit of stretching in the garden afterwards. A nice hot shower and you WILL feel better, I promise. Don't like to think of you feeling slumped, but as everyone has said, you are not alone. Sending you a big interweb hug from me here and Pops has asked me to send you a special snuggle from her (I wouldn't risk it if I were you as she pongs to high heaven at the mo) and Teddy sends you one of his reassuring leans. Tomorrow is another day my friend xx
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. At this point in the holidays routine seems to have gone out of the window and I never know what day of the week we're on. It takes a while to get used to things again after going away on holiday. I've made a list of things to do before the summer ends and am trying to tick one off a day - it gives me a bit of structure. I'm hope you un-slump soon - it sounds like you've made a good start.
ReplyDeleteCathy x
Snap! The first three weeks of the holiday, including our week in Falmouth, were blighted by a viral(?) infection. Grrr! Even now simple routines require extra effort and leave me feeling exhausted. So frustrating when I had such plans for my six weeks off.
ReplyDeleteWell.. I wish you could go camping with us to our wonderful lake. You'd snap out of your slump really quick. We leave in the morning. Come on.. you can join us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI could do with a bit of an unslump myself! My 5:2 diet seems to get harder by the week, my local, friendly gym/swimming pool has just closed down, so my exercise level has gone down to zilch and I doggedly worked my way through a family pack of peanut M&Ms yesterday evening - at least I can show determination at something! It's results day tomorrow, so the slump is only set to get worse. If you find a solution, please let me know! xx
ReplyDeleteWellllll, a lot of days I feel just like you do.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll start tomorrow (which is now actually today) ----- I KNOW that eating better and setting aside some time for exercise would do me a world of good.
I just wish I had a pretty canal to walk by. :-)
It's the weather, it's so up and down. I think you should buy some sunflowers - such a cheery flower - and some coloured wool. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh CJ I'm sure you're not alone in feeling the way you do. What would I have done? Pack a picnic and go to a nice green open space. Take a tennis ball for throwing and catching. Find some wild plums to pick. Go to the library. On a rainy day we used to love listening to Just William tapes read by Martin Jarvis and drawing or making. Check out your local Wildlife Trust for summer holiday activities. As soon as the boys are in bed have a bath and a good long read. Try and drink more water. Look after yourself! Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteI always wake up thinking that I'll accomplish 5 useful things before breakfast and then suddenly it's midmorning or, worse, lunchtime and nothing concrete has been done. I think you also mentioned that your allotment needed some attention so I suspect you're feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the nurturing needed in all directions at once. I often find myself rooted to the spot when I can't decide which of my million Things To Do have to be tackled next - and frequently distract myself with crisps! Little steps, CJ, will get you there. Be kind to yourself my friend, Caro xx
ReplyDeleteI think that is a common feeling when your routine is disrupted. And while we all know that more fresh air and exercise and less junk would make us feel better it is easier said than done. Don't be too hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone! I'm sorry you're in a slump and hope things perk up soon. At least you've motivated yourself to write a blog post. I've not written one for a while precisely because I, too, feel slumpish. Deeply so on some days. This is not helped by moaning teenagers (settling on something everyone would like to do is not easy!) or the fact that having everyone at home (including my husband who is between jobs) means the house is a giant mess. That always gets me down as I'm the only one who notices. Oops, sorry. I'm venting... Here's hoping we all perk up very soon. It's probably mid-holiday slump and soon we'll have a week left and be wishing we had more time because we're suddenly enjoying ourselves again :-) Sam xx
ReplyDeleteOh my dear you need to force yourself to do something, I agree with CT go for a run. I was feeling dreadfully slumpy the other day until I forced myself to do a blog post & catch up with my commenting. A lazy option for me yes! oh I ordered some yarn too & some fabric that helped no end. Another lazy option!! The garden is filling me with dread though that needs some serious work in places, more slumpiness heading my way. Seriously I hope you find something to perk yourself up xx
ReplyDeleteUn-slumping is a hard thing to do. I was completely slumped at work but now I've finished I have even less routine. So, I have written a list of things to do and i followed Annie and wrote a summer bucket list, today is jam making. My family are in stitches about it but I will at least feel I have done something new. The sun has been shining here and that makes a big difference to my mood. I also like to put music on and dance like a nutter. That always helps me x
ReplyDeleteI think that we all slump at times but thankfully usually get over it fairly quickly as I'm sure you will. Nice pictures, and that's my kind of walk being easy on the legs. Flighty xx
ReplyDeletePeanut butter cup ice cream has been my futile solution to the slump. I forced myself out to Pilates this morning but ruined all that good intent by baking a walnut cake with meringue frosting. have noticed a lot of people complaining of tiredness. I think I must blame the sugar high and consequent nosedive for mine.
ReplyDeleteBen and Jerry's!
DeleteFunny enough, I find summer very bright. I went out earlier to cut flowers and my eyes were streaming. The sun was barely shining - and I don't have hay fever or anything like that. Sometimes it's just hard to get motivated. Don't worry, you'll get back to being un-slumped again.
ReplyDeleteOh poor you CJ - I don't think the lack of summer is probably really helping either ! Chin up buttercup, Kate xx
ReplyDeleteIn the words of REM, 'everybody slumps.....sometimes ', ok maybe they didn't say quite that. My blog posts are a bit misleading as I don't show all the choc eaten (because it's not homegrown of course!). And if I showed you how overgrown it is at the allotment, well. In fact I was intending on going down this morning to water and cut the grass but that has yet to happen (now 2.30pm) and a cat has decided to sit on my lap to trap me.
ReplyDeleteHaha, the walk on Sunday looked lovely, despite it not being your favourite - the elderberries are already ripening over your way, wow!
Oh dear, the dreaded summer holiday slump, not good. I have no useful suggestions as I am notoriously bad at unslumping but maybe I can put a smile on your face. I was so desperate for something chocolatey sweet the other day (the kitchen bare as a winter tree) that I ate the little white chocolate stars cake decorations straight from the tub. Every single one. As for exercise, the most rigorous work out I get at the moment is bending down to pick up dog poop during a stroll around the block. Or maybe it is trying to pull up my jeans zipper over an extended summer junk food belly. Thankfully my lot is back at school tomorrow! Cxx
ReplyDeleteI've done that. Tipped the whole tube into my mouth, and ate them in one go. Lxx
DeleteSlumps are so hard and it is also very difficult to avoid beating oneself up over them. I hope that you will soon be back in a cocoon of comfort and happiness.
ReplyDeleteWell, it may be a flat place to walk, but it still is pretty. Swans and house boats? That is pretty picturesque. I think the healthy food, exercise, and more sleep is a good plan, but don't do away with the chocolate totally. Dark chocolate is good for you!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, CJ - I know that feeling, it is inevitable I think but don't beat yourself up about it, go with the flow and take what you can from each day. My comfort at the moment is wine, sadly rather too much. Yes, canal walking can be very pretty but is a bit same-y. Here's to un-slumping!
ReplyDeleteCaz xx
Decorate a room. Quickly!!! Just do it!!!
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I'd love to hang out and eat crisps and dark chocolate treats with you. hehe. We could go on a walk first? I would love the canal. Not mundane to me at all, or undramatic, so different than my walks. Your walks are activity afterall, don't beat yourself up! You will unslump sooner than later I bet. With all that activity in the household how can you not. By the way, slump is an excellent word. My whole apartment is in one. For 12 years.
ReplyDeleteGoing for a run is good. If you cannot face that think of the most nagging and irritating job on your list of things to do and do it first thing in the morning, it works wonders. Mind you I am counting down days to go until I retire and I can spend literally days playing on the Internet to avoid doing things that I should be doing as a good employee but just cannot be bothered with. Fortunately I am not a nuclear scientist so nothing much goes wrong if I don't do much.
ReplyDeleteWell it is reassuring for me to hear that I am not the only one who writes blogs like that and then deletes them! I wonder what would happen if one day we pressed publish! I am sure that you will work it out, I find that I need a direction - hence my list making - if I have a plan and things to do I do much better than drifting. I guess that is what happens in school holidays though isn't it. I expect that you will be back to yourself again soon! Hope that you can keep up with keeping the boys fed! xx
ReplyDeleteI hope that you managed to deslump or unslump
ReplyDeleteIt always feels a bit flat after returning home from a wonderful holiday and the miserable weather doesn't help either. Hope you more energetic now. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about how your photos show the turning of the seasons from summer to autumn beautifully. Do you have post holiday blues? Wales tends to get a grip on one. We still talk about our holiday there. I agree with CT; go for that run. Or maybe a swim. It does help. Sincerely hoping that you feel less blue tomorrow.
Leanne xx
It's always hard to reenter everyday life after a holiday. I always find when I am feeling like you describe in this post a few good sleeps change my outlook. Well, that and maybe a yarn purchase. :-)
ReplyDeletehope you find the slide on the other side of the slump x
ReplyDeleteOh CJ, poor you, it's not easy to unslump oneself. Sounds as though you need some serious 'you' time. I hope it passes soon. Jane xx
ReplyDeleteI am slumpish myself, which means I have been cleaning like a mad woman. I either de-clutter or clean when I need some space. Wishing you the very best, take a walk, drick a bit of tea and eat chocolate.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
I am slumpish myself, which means I have been cleaning like a mad woman. I either de-clutter or clean when I need some space. Wishing you the very best, take a walk, drick a bit of tea and eat chocolate.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
yes, have a cup of tea and just look around at the joy you have and bring to your children and all of us. I think most of the time our expectations are too high and we spend too much time just being terribly busy and then we look up and the most important moments have disappeared. My children are all grown and in their 30's now, but I so remember when they were your children's age and romping through the house . It went so fast, as a blink of an eye and yet when you are in it, it sometimes seems interminably slow. Your a lovely woman and Mom and share a bit of your life with all of us with your words and your beautiful photos, I look forward to reading your posts so I wish you much cheer .
ReplyDeleteDon't chastise yourself CJ. I muddle through each day, thinking guiltily about others who seem so organised and energetic. In truth they're probably juggling as messily as we are, they're just better and SEEMING to be organised. We do our best, we eat some cake, we have crappy weeks, we try to tidy up but sometimes we sit and watch a bit of trash on telly and gobble crisps. I for one need to flush some of my perfectionism and self criticism down the khazi. Summer holidays can be TOUGH. I know I'm knackered trying to fit work in around a few hours of childcare here and there. Sometimes I've needed a cry in the toy cupboard. I'm glad you posted this.Very glad indeed. Thankyou xxx
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