EnjoliWoman

I'm thinking I need to get my groove back. Maybe I needed a recovery period but surely it's over now. Five years ago I was kicking ass and taking names. Bought my house, made tons of improvements, working my ass of every weekend on the next project...

Seems the last two years have been 'eh'. No real fire under my ass. Professionally, personally, physically... pretty much all around. I don't feel depressed - just not particularly motivated. Any ideas? I need something new - I feel restless but don't know what for.

So went to meetup and signed up for a couple groups for professional meet-and-greets and put I was looking for mentors.

Signed up for a wine group that is doing an all day tour on a weekend I'm actually free (YAY)

Any other ideas?

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“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

T&T

Volunteering is very rewarding! It doesn't matter what it is.

There are many people in need out there and never enough people to help out.

EnjoliWoman

True - being a 'fair weather' volunteer for Habitat, I'll join in for some nice Saturdays in the spring.

Not charity work but I told Dad I'd come help cut down a couple oak trees on his land for firewood this spring so it's dry for winter. (They are dead - Dad only cuts down dying/dead trees.) They ran out this past winter and had to actually buy firewood which is a first for them!

__________________
http://talkaboutmarriage.com/family-...-my-story.html

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

Woodchuck

I guess I was lucky. My job as a designer ment I would never get bored......Automation, robots, mini subs, assembly tooling, fixtures for nuclear plants....Something new almost every day.....

In my personal life it was trout fishing... The perfect combination of relaxation and excitement....

I was lucky to be able to throw a mental switch and shut off my job on the drive home, and not turn it back on till the drive back....It is a great deterrent to burnout....

That restless feeling is your inner creativity trying to get out....When I was a blue color worker I would get it....I learned to paint in acrylics. water colors, and oils....It helped a lot.....

When I became a mechanical designer, the feeling went away.......

Trenton

Love the wine group idea! It sounds like you're pretty proactive and doing things already Enjoli but I'll add some of the things I want to do or do just in case they perk your interest:

Running a 5k for a charity you care about...good for health, good for the charity

Signing up for a local class (cooking, sewing, interior design, etc.). I really want to do sewing, it's on my bucket list

Become a CASA! Volunteering - National CASA - CASA for Children

Foster animals at your home for a local org
ASPCA | Saying Goodbye to a Foster Pet

Plan a weekend trip to a local area that you've not seen or explored yet.

2ntnuf

Some funk for your funk:

Parliament - Flashlight - YouTube\

Well, looks like a bad link, but you can ewetoob the song. In the mean time, I'll try to find another.

This one should play: http://youtu.be/T0ZGNGBNIL8

http://youtu.be/ImI78s638hQ

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"anything I did better today than I did yesterday is progress" - Saki

in my tree

Thank you! My mind immediately went to Parliament when I saw the title of the thread.

EnjoliWoman - I think there are great suggestions here. The volunteering suggestion is always good as well as taking a class. Whatever it is, make sure it is something that really peaks your interest (so you'll stick with it). For instance I have always wanted to be fluent in at least one other language so a year ago I started going to French classes. I love it and have made some good friends. If you love animals, sign up at the SPCA or if you love sports there are always Park & Rec teams/classes to sign up for.

Trenton - I signed up for a sewing class and it was cancelled! I was so bummed. Evidently very few people are still interested in learning how to sew.

__________________
"up here in my tree, newspapers matter not to me,
no more crowbars to my head, i'm trading stories with the leaves instead"

Trenton

There's a place in Hoboken, NJ that does sewing and it's really cool and up to date so I wouldn't be making weird, dated patterns but I keep making excuses! Maybe this summer

The idea of being able to make my own clothes really thrills me but I'm thinking I might need more than a class for that.

in my tree

You mean we won't be seeing you on Project Runway in a few years? I know what you mean - I can just imagine the first few creations. I think I'll start with designing for my dogs. Although they might get embarrassed too.

__________________
"up here in my tree, newspapers matter not to me,
no more crowbars to my head, i'm trading stories with the leaves instead"

southern wife

EJ, this should lift your spirits!

Lipps Inc. - Funky Town - YouTube

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~~~ SW ~~~
~ A woman was sipping on a glass of wine, while sitting on the patio with her husband. She says, "I love you so much, I don't know how I could ever live without you". Her husband asks, "Is that you or the wine talking?"...She replies, "It's me ... talking to the wine.

southern wife

Also, I'd LOVE to hear about that wine group/tour. PM me!

__________________
~~~ SW ~~~
~ A woman was sipping on a glass of wine, while sitting on the patio with her husband. She says, "I love you so much, I don't know how I could ever live without you". Her husband asks, "Is that you or the wine talking?"...She replies, "It's me ... talking to the wine.

EnjoliWoman

Perhaps - I've always had creative outlets and I haven't done much lately. Maybe time to break out the sketch book again. I love my job but it has evolved to more sales and I love the extra $ and what we make and the customers - it's scary and uncharted territory for me though! I decided to email my boss to schedule an hour for mentoring and guidance.

5K Uh no. Low impact for now. I could WALK it though.\

No fostering. I'm done with dogs for now. I'm enjoying the freedom of not having to come home to let a dog out or feeling guilty for being gone all evening or having to get a dog sitter for a weekend away. Plus more travel anticipated with my change in roles at work.

I'm already a pretty good seamstress but I do need to take a tile class at Home Depot. Hmmm.... Me likey. AND it's creative!

You'd be surprised. The basics can be learned in a day or two if you already know how to use your machine. Taylor tacks, aligning grain, etc. Biggest thing with clothing is to IRON every seam OPEN when you are done with it. It's a PITA but trust me.

Done!

Thanks for the ideas and feedback people. I need more stimulation whether it be social or creative. Not dating has been a bummer. Still hesitant about it so I'll just do stuff for a bit and see what happens.

__________________
http://talkaboutmarriage.com/family-...-my-story.html

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

CharlieParker

That place is still around? Ms P got her sewing machine there almost 20 years ago.

EW, what about an esoteric cooking class? I did the world or curries and also homemade sausage.

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"Hi" - Bob

Lyris

Before I had kids and we moved too far away, my favourite thing was doing taiko drumming. YouTube. That's my old group/school. It was so so much fun, even if you're not especially musical.

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I say awesome stuff and everyone thinks I'm awesome. Because I'm awesome - Lyris

EnjoliWoman

Curry. uh... sushi maybe.

I was kinda hoping I could combine an activity with the possibility of meeting a single man. Most of who only do cooking classes with a girlfriend. Shop class? Bull riding? Lawns 101?

__________________
http://talkaboutmarriage.com/family-...-my-story.html

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus