Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tired


Ant on a wildflower.

Do you ever feel too tired to sleep? That’s the way I feel as I write this. My body feels like all the energy has drained out of it. But I’m having a hard time relaxing.
Today—well, it’s after midnight now, so yesterday—was a long day. I spent most of it in court, covering a trial. I was there until nearly 7 p.m. Then I had to rush over to another county building to cover a couple of public hearings. I went from there to the office, where I wrote two stories, one on the trial and one on the hearings. Then I worked on updating the website.
The trial isn’t over, so I have to be back in court later this morning for the closing arguments. Then the jury deliberates. Once a verdict is reached, it’s back to the office to write a story for the website.
I’m rambling, but I’m having a hard time focusing. And I’m having a hard time coming up with a topic that would be helpful and interesting for you.
I worry about that. I want to write posts that connect with you. But on days like today, all I can do is tell you how I feel and maybe a bit about how I handled the day.
I felt rushed, and I worried about getting out of court in time to cover the county story. But I did something that I don’t always find easy to do: I asked for help.
Last week, I knew Tuesday was going to be a bear. So I asked my boss if he could help by covering a 4 p.m. government meeting if I didn’t get out of court in time. And he did. I was apologetic about it—I don’t like asking for help—but he was OK with doing it.
So there’s a good reminder for me: it’s OK to ask for support.
And one more thing I did that helped me through the day: on the way back to the office in the evening, I listened to music in the car.
I haven’t driven in over two months because of my broken foot. But today, it was just necessary that I drive. I didn’t know how long I’d have to be in court. The courthouse is a 25 minute drive from home. I like having the car there where I can retire for a brief respite during court recesses.
So I told Larry I would drive. I put on a shoe and drove, and then put the boot back on when I got to my destination. It worked fine.
But what I’m really getting at is what did while I was driving this evening.
Usually, my driving-alone time is also my music time. I listen to my favorite music and sing along. I don’t do it as much when I’m with Larry.
I missed Larry today. We’ve been riding around together every day for a long time. But it was nice to put on some Alison Krauss and listen to her angel voice and sing along. It gave me a 25 minute rest, in a sense.
Asking for help. Music. Both are good things.
And now my brain is telling me it’s time to stop writing. My thoughts have slowed down for a change. It’s time to go to bed.
I didn’t have the opportunity to read blogs Tuesday, but I hope to be able to later today. I miss my daily routine, but I’ll be back.

32 comments:

  1. That does sound like a busy day! Glad the driving went well and you felt like you got some down time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lisa. I was afraid I had forgotten how to drive--I hadn't driven for over 2 months. But I did fine.

      Delete
  2. Bless you my dear. Your posts always connect with me. You don't always have to come up with a set topic. A post like this means just as much to me. I can identify with your feelings both physical and mental after that busy day :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate that. Busy days like I've had this week just drain me.

      Delete
  3. You had a hectic day. And YES it is most definitely always ok to ask for support. I think we too often refrain from asking for support even when we really need to. There is nothing wrong with asking for support at all. That's what friends and loved ones are for!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Keith. I'm always appreciative of the support I get. It just sometimes takes me a while to feel like it's OK to ask for it.

      Delete
  4. Singing along to Alison would lift my spirits. You had a crazy day and taking little breaks helps so much, doesn't it? So glad that your driving foot is healing well! Asking for help is hard for me, too. Ick. Need to work on it!
    Hope you got some rest, Tina. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tina. Isn't Alison great? Her singing is a balm for the soul. Yes, I need to work on knowing it's OK to ask for help, too. :-)

      Delete
  5. It is hard to ask for help. Whew. And it worked!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sharon. I don't think I've had many bad experiences when I've asked for help. Usually it's a positive experience. So I'm not sure why I still hesitate.

      Delete
  6. Hi Tina, don't worry about coming up with topics for your blog! That is one thing you can take off your mind. Please make sure you get some adequate rest and sleep, we all need this. I can relate, I have had days like this as well where there is stress and so much going on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. That is very kind of you to say. I think sometimes I forget how very important getting enough rest is to our health and how we feel.

      Delete
  7. For me, stress and tiredness go together...hope calmer days are around the corner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Janet. Lots of stress tires me out, too. Today has been a much calmer day. I slept a lot!

      Delete
  8. not having a "subject" just makes you even more human like the rest of us! thank you for sharing. I'm glad you made it through a very stressful day, plus got some music rejuvenation in there too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Becky. I'm definitely human!

      Music can work magic sometimes, can't it?

      Delete
  9. Get some rest!
    I like Alison Krauss too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kristina. Alison has a true gift, I think.

      Delete
  10. I'm glad you asked for help, Tina. I have a really hard time with that too, but I'm getting better at it. Sometimes, I do think people like to help, and even if they don't, well, it's good for them! And we can't do everything ourselves.

    I too worry that I won't write anything interesting in my posts. You sure don't have to worry about that though. You always seem to have a whole bunch of cool things to write about. Actually, I'm quite jealous!!!

    I hope you got some decent rest last night and that tonight is even better. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sunny. I agree--I think most people do like to help.

      I always enjoy reading your very honest posts about your life. They always make me think.

      Delete
  11. Your posts are always relatable, Tina. This one especially so. Music and asking for assitance sometimes help me a lot when thecawful anxiety rears its ugly head. And Alison Krauss definitey has a heavenly voice. I wonder, have you ever listened to Nanci Griffith? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary. Yes! I love Nanci Griffith! I've been listening to her music for years. Every song is a gem in storytelling.

      Delete
  12. I'm amazed at how consistent you are with your blogging, especially since you have a "day job." Your writing is always thoughtful and well done. Glad you're taking care of yourself and learning what supports you.

    I love listening to music, and often I will go take a walk with my iPhone and ear buds because music is such a soother. Sometimes Henry is with me, but I'll tell him that I need to "plug in," and he knows what that means. He's also going to the grocery store for me and handling a few other household tasks because he recognizes that I need some help. Besides, if he helps, I get to spend more time in the garden, and he likes to eat the food!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nadine. Blogging is such a part of my life now.

      I've had an iPhone for several months, but I still haven't transferred my music to it. Need to do that! That is so great that your husband helps you around the house. Larry does a lot, too. It helps so much.

      Delete
  13. I adore Allison Krauss! And Gillian Welch, too.

    While I love your usual method of posting with a topic in mind, please know that I love to read your writing in any form - today's post is rich and meaningful too, and it's okay to just be worn out.

    Oh man, I absolutely HATE asking for help. Good for you for sticking it to perfectionism and asking your boss to cover if needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anna. I appreciate your kind words.

      You make a good point about perfectionism--that is probably at least part of the reason it's so hard for me to ask for help.

      Delete
  14. Interesting that even though you didn't really know what to write or how to help, your words did just that. You write about YOU and your daily dealings and your words are relevant and interesting. I commend you. I've been away from my writing blog for over two weeks but finally got a post done today. Things are a little crazy for me right now and blogging is getting the short end of my time. But you keep at it. Good job, girl!

    I hope you were able to get a good night's sleep. Your reporter job can't be easy, all that rushing and all those deadlines. I commend you. I hope the trial is over soon and I hope that you can drive and listen to Allison and have your time with Larry and that your foot heals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Grace, for all the good thoughts. I'm so excited for you about the good things happening now for you!

      Delete
  15. Ever since I was young I have always been fascinated with trains. I have ridden trains plenty of times, but not nearly as much as buses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, Trains fascinate me, too. Thanks so much for your comment!

      Delete
  16. ooohhhhh tired, i have nights when i lay in bed, i can't sleep and i can't get up. i feel to some extent paralized. it's a terrible feeling, one i have had to learn to live with!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie, I'm sorry you go through that. Sometimes I feel too tired to sleep, but I don't feel like getting up to do anything else. So I lie there miserable. Fortunately, it doesn't happen too often.

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.