April, Q2 2023 (Apr to June), downer thought

[oak]

Friends, the next three months may be the most important of my life.

Said another way: things can be much better in ninety days, and the outcome is up to me.

Brief summary of Q1 of 2023: surviving one's midlife crisis
Brief summary of March
Two happy plans for April
A truth I can't avoid regarding late June
A downer question
Next steps and reasons for hope

Brief summary of Q1 of 2023: surviving one's midlife crisis

I survived my midlife crisis. And a midlife crisis is a crisis. People joke about them, but they are deadly serious. I survived mine, though it has taken the wind out of my sails.

Said another way: there is no “winning” a midlife crisis: surviving is the best outcome. And there’ll probably be some scars.

Still, as Robert Bly stated: every descent is an exit from an unsatisfactory life.

Brief summary of March

Never, present company happily excluded, have I had so few reasons to smile in a month.

Two happy plans for April

Betting on myself, I am taking barre classes this month, and beginning the next phase of a men's wellness/nutrition research study. Yay!

A truth I can't avoid regarding late June

I need to earn more money by late June.

I have hopes and dreams, my friends.

A downer question

I ask, with more ennui and exhaustion than despair: how can I face tomorrow?

Next steps and reasons for hope

I have all the resources I need to turn my life around. To paraphrase Joseph Campbell, every crisis contains a hidden boon (prize). My midlife crisis demonstrated that I can't continue living like this. I want to have some fun.

I'll post now and then in the coming month and quarter. Part of the reason I'm posting here is to remind myself, then, of my sadness and ennui.

[Mental Fairy]

Thank you Oak
You give me hope

[oak]

Thank you Oak
You give me hope

I am happy to hear that, Mental Fairy! I hope you're doing well.

Friends, I am happy to report that I have accomplished my first of two April goals: I have begun barre classes. It feels very natural.