22 Comments

  1. Taking it slow versus Seeing things properly - Grounded Traveler
    May 31, 2013 @ 10:23 am

    […] in Nice. To pack more “doing” and “going” into two days is just going to burn us out. We tried it yesterday after a nighttrain from Paris and it ended up […]

  2. Best Blog Posts - February 2013 | Ali's Adventures
    February 28, 2013 @ 9:00 am

    […] Searching for my Missing Creativity and Dealing with Exhaustion – by my husband Andy of Grounded Traveler. We’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for the last details necessary to get Andy’s permanent residency visa, and the stress has taken it’s toll. […]

  3. Jonathan Welford
    February 23, 2013 @ 9:24 am

    Here’s an idea for you, why not write a novel based around you and Ali meeting, but from both perspectives. The romance from both points of view could be a refreshing alternative, along with the destinations you visited and characters you met.

    There seems to be a market for this sort of book, and you may find a more traditional publisher to take it on, rather than go down the self publish route.

    • Andrew
      February 24, 2013 @ 8:24 pm

      Thanks for the suggestion. We have talked about that kind of idea before. THe issue is not really the idea, but getting it written and in an interesting way. I am trying to get into writing fantasy novels. It is really different from blog posting and also from my training as an engineer. Not as easy as it seems to write a book, but thanks for the encouragement.

  4. Sofia
    February 13, 2013 @ 9:17 am

    I know how you feel about the winter darkness, but soon it will all change and the days will become long and sunny again! If you feel like the lack of sunlight has a huge negative impact you might want to try out something like omega 3 fish oil, they use it a lot in Lappland to help combat the constant darkness.

    Hope you get some time to take a proper vacation soon, and that those visa guys speed things up a bit. 🙂

    • Andrew
      February 13, 2013 @ 4:00 pm

      Yes. Even now only a few weeks after the post, I notice a bit of a difference. It is still overcast, but overcast and light longer. Just need a little tip of the weather to blow away the clouds. I have been eating walnuts which have a bit of the omega3s, as I really don’t like fish.

      Thanks for the support. It should come together soon and we can work on our plans to travel more.

  5. Steven
    February 10, 2013 @ 7:14 pm

    I’m right there with you on the lack of light thing… I’m from Florida, where it’s lighter for a much longer stretch of time, even in the thing that passes for winter down there.

    One thing that I found to be *Very* helpful in dealing with the change in light was a light therapy device. There’s a ton of these on the market, but you can see the one I chose by going to Amazon and putting “Philips goLITE BLU” into the search box. For me, this definitely helped my overall mood and outlook.

    I didn’t travel as much this winter either, but let’s face it, travel is more fun when you can walk around outside without feeling like your dangly bits are going to fall off.

    • Andrew
      February 13, 2013 @ 3:45 pm

      Thanks for the recommendation. Pretty expensive, but probably worth it to fight the winter issues. I will definitely look into it.

      Yeah, winter travel can be a lot less fun than during the rest of the year. Another reason we have stayed home. The Germans wrap all of their bits in wooly fabric to keep warm.

  6. Teresa and John
    February 10, 2013 @ 5:32 pm

    Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow; so, spring is just around the corner.

    • Andrew
      February 13, 2013 @ 3:41 pm

      Good to hear. Not sure of the meteorologic underpinnings of using animals for weather reporting nor if his skills extend to Germany, but I’ll take it.

  7. Ariana {And Here We Are...}
    February 10, 2013 @ 1:49 pm

    I think many of us have been there. So frustrating, but really understandable, how you could get exhausted. I hope you feel the freedom to just be, doing the bare minimun, and finding ways to unwind in the meantime. Everyone runs out of creativity and energy now and then, and it’s best not to push it, just wait.
    That’s exciting about the more permanent visa!

    • Andrew
      February 13, 2013 @ 3:40 pm

      My “freedom to be” is kind of what is restricted at the moment. A lot of the stressors are out of my control, work/visa and the like. I am trying to do what I can to not let the stress affect me, but that is energy outlay as well. Thanks for the positive and supportive words.

  8. Gillian @OneGiantStep
    February 10, 2013 @ 2:57 am

    Take care of yourself Andy. That’s what’s most important. Make sure you get enough rest, put projects away until you’re ready, and take the time that it sounds like you need. Don’t feel badly about it, just do it. It sounds like the medicine you need. Thinking of you.

    • Andrew
      February 13, 2013 @ 3:38 pm

      Thanks Gillian. I’ve been trying to work on one thing at a time and make notes on ideas that come through. Helps me feel like I CAN put off stuff without losing. Hope you guys are having fun in Thailand. That is our hope for next winter.

  9. Natalie
    February 5, 2013 @ 1:00 pm

    Listen to your wife Andy – she is right – relax and recharge your batteries and it will all come flooding back to you

    • Andrew
      February 9, 2013 @ 9:56 pm

      Thanks. Can’t wait.

  10. Iriegirltravels
    February 5, 2013 @ 12:57 pm

    Awww, sounds like SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s real and it bites!! Not seeing sunlight can be a real issue for some people.

    Not to worry Spring is in the air.

    Good luck with all your ventures and keep plugging away.

    • Andrew
      February 9, 2013 @ 9:56 pm

      Yeah, I have heard of that. I have a history of anxiety as well. There is a lot of other stress in life that is getting to me this winter as well.

      Thanks for the positive thoughts.

  11. Jeremy Branham
    February 4, 2013 @ 6:30 pm

    Seems you have as many projects as me going on. I can relate to a lot of what you feel. I’ve gone through the burnout thing many times. I feel like I have so much to do that I get stressed out with all that is on my plate. I just started a new project to do a photography book. And I never sleep. At times I am very creative. Other times just exhausted I don’t want to do a thing. The last few months have been a blur. This has been tough at times.

    Hopefully, things get turned around for you and you get back on track. Sometimes it just takes a little break from everything to get you grounded and going again.

    • Andrew
      February 4, 2013 @ 9:42 pm

      Yeah, I see what you accomplish and do wonder if you ever sleep. I have gotten mentally burned out before, but this is the first time it is really affecting me at the base physical level, at least like this. I am trying to force myself to keep going, which is tiring itself.

      Thanks for the support. Spring will come and so will the visa. Until then i just need to hang on and try to do what I can.

  12. Jennifer
    February 3, 2013 @ 11:29 pm

    Thanks for sharing with us, Andy. It can be quite cathartic just to get it all out there. Spring will be here before you know it and the visa stuff will all work out. Hang in there!

    • Andrew
      February 4, 2013 @ 9:39 pm

      Yeah, it is nice to be able to talk about it. The visa stuff just keeps yanking my goals and dreams out from under me it feels. I know it will be ok in the long run, but ugh can’t deal right now very well.
      Thanks for the support.