Category Archives: Anxiety

Yesterday, I Met a Man…

Last night I sat at Writers & Books, a local shop devoted to the literary arts, writing feverishly on my NaNoWriMo novel. Though it is not my store, I positioned myself close to the main entrance to greet passers-by and explain to them why there were a bunch of people sitting and writing.

A man came in. An older man. Clean, tidy, but looking a little worn. He had come to read a poem at the Open Mic night that was happening upstairs.  He asked some questions, then went upstairs to read to the crowd.

There was something about him that seemed familiar. I’ve seen it before. He was smiling, but he wasn’t all right.Continue reading “Yesterday, I Met a Man…”

Frustration Happens

Today has been a day of frustration. My anxiety level is high. Nothing seems to be going right.

Well, it’s actually not that bad. I mean, the water analyzer finally decided to work correctly, and my classes went smoothly. And (and this is totally crazy), I actually did my homework before going to class. Yes, I taught the class, but we all needed to work through an exercise in advance, including me – and I did. It seldom actually works out that way.Continue reading “Frustration Happens”

Bored… Or Worse: Boring

Sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself. Why do I try to write novels, sew period costumes, learn the sword, and all that other crazy stuff that I do? Why do I work myself into a frenzy trying to get all these things done? Why don’t I just go to work, do my job, then go home and watch the news like everyone else?Continue reading “Bored… Or Worse: Boring”

Graduate Student Guilt

If you’ve ever attended graduate school, you probably know exactly what this is.

It’s that anxious feeling you get when you try to relax for a while. Pursue a hobby. Watch a football game. Go on a hike. Try to take a nap.

It’s that feeling that, if you’re conscious and able to think, you ought to be working. There’s always something that needs to be done. Continue reading “Graduate Student Guilt”