Ah, Thursday in a brand new year! So far, so interesting. I would like to say that I do not stand with what happened at the Nation’s Capital yesterday. Like the riots and looting from this past summer, rioting and sedition will not be tolerated. Sedition must be punished federally. We must denounce agitators and we must come together as a nation.
Now, Thankful Thursday! I’m thankful for my friends and family. I’m thankful for Shetana at my full-time job. I’ve been without work for a month (three weeks since I was off for two weeks) because I start my new role on Monday. Today, Shetana finished work early and we played an hours worth of Uno. That was really nice.
Today was my last day going into the office since I had to go in once a week to print. With my new role, I won’t be printing and I’ll be home indefinitely now.
Tomorrow is my last day in my old role. Before I left the office today, Shetana gave me a big hug and congratulated me. I’m looking forward to it. While I’m a little nervous, I was reading over SQL today and I don’t think it’ll be that bad. It’s like learning a new language. Sometimes I feel bad that I’m not going to be what my college profs envisioned for me: going for my MFA in creative writing and publishing.
While I would love to do that, I have to be practical too. I have chronic conditions and I need benefits. I also like having a 401K. I need a full-time job, but I can always write and publish on the side and that could be extra income. I’m thinking about creating a scrapbook business (for a side-hustle). We’ll see. It’s okay to be something else, especially since I am the one who has to earn the money and live my life.
I’m reading this book called Women Who Worry Too Much and it’s been helpful. Dr. Holly Hazlett-Stevens, the author of the book, suggested keeping a notebook or journal and make a chart ranging from 0 at one end, 50 in the middle, and 100 at the end, then check in with yourself three times per day to see what your worry and anxiety levels are like and write about it. She also suggests writing down your worries and asking yourself the worst that can happen. Then work through that. Mitch suggested that and so did all the other therapists in the past, so I’m going to work on it. I will still do my Happiness Box Project, but I’ll keep a notebook for the worrying.
What are you thankful for today?
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
I am returning to blogging today sooner than expected. Given the mood I was in, I thought I’d be away for weeks or months. I even contemplated leaving blogging permanently. That how hard the siege on the Capitol hit me. I went to a very dark place and stayed there two days. To take my mind off of what I had witnessed on TV, I watched YouTube videos of a hydraulic press crushing billiard balls, bowling balls, appliances, toys, melons and other foods, and another Y/T channel that featured a steel-tooth industrial shredder pulverizing the same types of items. I watched those channels for hours, very unusual for me, but I think it might have been cathartic.
Today I am trying to get myself back to a place where I can laugh, smile and listen to music again. I am not 100% yet, but if I keep waiting until I am, I might never return. I realize you are trying to be fair, but please don’t engage in “both sidesism” which is a Q/Fox News strategy for deflecting the blame from Trump and his supporters by claiming both sides do it – both sides share the blame. There is a huge difference between BLM protesters fighting for their equal rights and calling attention to systemic racism and unfair treatment by police, and what we saw Wednesday – a rowdy horde of thugs selfishly trying to destroy the U.S. constitution, overturn the result of a lawful election and permanently install a dictator of their choosing.
I believe you have a solid plan. Settle into your new position and appreciate having a good job with benefits. Manage your spare time and do creative writing and other things you enjoy. That’s a blueprint for a balanced life and a foundation for a successful future.
Women Who Worry Too Much seems like a beneficial read. Follow the guidelines and see if you can’t ease some of the worry and stress in your life.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend JM!
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