I should do something. But I’m so tired. I should go to the gym or write or something.
It’s Saturday and I’m lying on my bed wearing gym clothes. I didn’t make any plans for the weekend with the exception of Sunday brunch and I’m semi-OK with that. On one hand, I am tired from a lot of recent business travel. On the other, I miss my friends and know I am going to be traveling a ton these next two months so when will I see them?
But back to the first hand. Lounging on my bed with Law & Order playing in the background is all I can seem to do. I don’t even have the energy to visit the cats today.
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Five or six weeks ago, I emailed a therapist specializing in grief counseling to request an appointment. I followed the process spelled out on her web site after going through a painstaking process to identify her as someone who accepted my insurance, didn’t have hellaciously bad reviews online, wasn’t geographically undesirable and maybe-hopefully had a basic web site via which I could confirm the particulars.
She has yet to respond to my initial inquiry, or a follow up one made after three weeks of silence. Thus far, I haven’t been able to make myself place a follow-up phone call. And I absolutely don’t have the energy to cross-reference the thousands of listings of people my insurance company swears take my insurance (not this one) with ZocDoc or Yelp or similar. As a result, I will probably try to make an appointment near home at a place that doesn’t take insurance, but does respond to appointment inquiries and fast. At $300 per session, they are quite ready to sign me up.
But I will figure something out eventually, right?
I don’t feel depressed in the sense that I have before. Depression is not unfamiliar to me. I take medicine and previously worked through the things that hurt me in therapy. The black dog has followed me for as long as I can remember. But it has become manageable. Had.
This part of me isn’t something I had been ashamed of, but I had long felt it was well addressed and I didn’t need to talk about it.
But this is different. I feel flat. There’s so little that excites me. My ‘happy place’ right now is lying in bed playing Words with Friends or sleeping. I cancel plans frequently.
I find it so hard to focus. I feel tired every hour of every day. My body aches. About once a week, spurred by thoughts of my father, I have a big cry. And yes, typing that sentence caused a lump in my throat followed by a rush of tears to my eyes.
I miss Dad so much – the uncomplicated nature of our relationship and the constancy of his support. While we had philosophical disagreements, I always knew he was listening to me, absorbing my thought process and considering it carefully.
Dad’s absence has changed my relationship with my mother too. I knew it would, of course, but the changes are not at all what I expected, making me feel lost in the dark. I thought she would need me more and it’s not that I wish for her to need me more, but I can’t say I understand how to act right now. Additionally, in spite of her strength, I don’t feel like I can tell her how rough I have been feeling, particularly after what I put her through last fall.
Even though I know I have reason not to feel my best, I feel guilty for the fact that I don’t. I feel terrible about my inability to write, or to focus my pitiful attention long enough to read a chapter of a book. I can’t fathom ever pushing myself hard enough to get fit again.
I don’t feel terrible, just low, most days–only some. I’m not sad daily, but my energy level is poor. One day, I am able to power through with smile, more or less. But others, I spend hours in bed. Making small talk, something my livelihood depends on, feels like torture sometimes.
I know from experience that this too shall pass. But in this moment, I can only wish to feel better soon.
It’s Sunday. I wake up excited to have brunch with my friend Brooke and then do a little skincare shopping together. The sun is shining for the first time since I returned from my most recent business trip a few days ago.
On my way home from brunch and shopping, I stop at Whole Foods in hopes of finding some of my favorite ice cream – score! – and then stop by to see the kitties.
Some days are easier than others.
OneChicklette 
❤
You’ve been through two crises in the past year and half – a loss of a parent, and a serious health issue. Both are enough to bring on a depression. Hang in there – just knowing something is off is the first step – and give yourself some time and a break. One thing to think about: Local hospices offer grief counseling and therapy groups that are almost always free. I found them to be very helpful when my Mom died – and I see how helpful it is to people now that I work in hospice. Just a thought:) Thinking of you!!! And pet therapy needs to continue…
That is wonderful advice, Amy. Thank you for all of your kindness these last two years. ❤
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through all this. I don’t have much words of wisdom – but sending lots and lots of good feelings your way.
I am so sorry to hear you are going through all this. I don’t have many words of wisdom – but sending lots and lots of good feelings your way.
I am going through similar right now. Had things managed, found myself in a place where I am in danger of getting bogged down soon. Have new insurance since my last therapist and damn it, finding a new one is hard. So much harder than it ought to be. Crossing fingers for us both.
You’ve already gotten such good advice here – I second the hospice grief counseling or talking groups. Good help doesn’t have to break the bank nor should it. Just be patient and kind to yourself – learning how best to take care of yourself NOW will make it easier later. This can come and go throughout your life – learning to gently and most effectively get through it is important. My heart hurts for you.