This was not my best summer at all

Romania
September 7, 2012 8:08am CST
I was away from home in the summers of 2010 and 2011, working in the wonderful Greek Islands, so this summer was the the first one when I stayed at home during the summer vacation. I was expecting to be relaxing vacation ,and I really wanted to make this summer a great one since the next year in the university is the last one and it is very busy and challenging. Unfortunately a series of unhappy experiences easily ruined my plans, and when I thought that things can't become worse a feeling of emptinesses came. I got to the conclusion that I am addicted to work. My plans were to relax a little during this summer, but I ended up feeling miserable because I feel empty whenever I don't do something productive. What about you? Are you a workaholic?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@celticeagle (158672)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Sep 12
My best Summer was 1986. I had left my husband and was living on my stocks and bonds from AT&T. I was great! Dating nearly every night, horse races on Wedsnesday, mountain biking, going out with friends. Such fun! I am no workaholic. I have severe depression with panic attacks. I finally had to take a sick leave from work and was lucky to be offered a early retirement. Now where my writing is concerned I am more able to work and enjoy it without getting stressed and depressed. Still no workaholic. Just love the research and writing.
• Romania
7 Sep 12
That sounds like an awesome summer. It is great that you were able to retire earlier. I am still not sure if I am workaholic or I just can't stand to do nothing. After each day when I relax and take the things slower, I feel like I wasted precious time. I guess I can add depression to the things that ruined my summer
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158672)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Sep 12
Perhaps as you grow older you can over come these things. Not feel a need to work so much and not be depressed.
• Romania
11 Sep 12
I believe that after I will finish with the studies and have a stable job on my profession, things will be better.
1 person likes this
@fatlex06 (895)
• Philippines
7 Sep 12
Like you, I am a workaholic too. I work for almost 16 hours a day except for weekends. I see to it that eventhough I'm busy I have to do something interesting every weekend. I hope you could do that too. Don't stress yourself from too much work. Money is good but having happiness towards ourselves is much better. Be happy always. Stay positive. :)
• Romania
7 Sep 12
In my case is not about the money.That is the weird part that confuses me. I just feel somehow that I am wasting time and I have a feeling of being useless whenever I am not active. I got so used to be over busy, and now when I had to suddenly stopped it was just to much I guess.
• Romania
9 Sep 12
I am not a Shopaholic, but just like you I also make a list before I go shopping because this way I buy everything I need without buying things that I don't need and without making a hole in my budget. I am actually involved in many projects that are not related to my usual work, and even my usual work is something that gives me satisfaction, but I guess that I just have made too many plans and hopes for this summer, and thanks to some family issues I did not complete everything that I wanted so this is what causes this emptiness and failure feeling.
• Greece
8 Sep 12
I suspect you have become addicted to your adrenalin. I have experienced this when I go shopping, at first I am very disciplined but then, after a few successful purchases, I want to buy more and more. As a result I take a list, keep to it and leave within a set time limit. Shopaholic or workaholic, there's not much difference except that one spends and the other earns. If you can put some of that energy into a worthwhile project that isn't connected with your normal work, that might work well and it would certainly give you more satisfaction. They say that a change is as good as a rest. So that might be a good motto for a workaholic. It's time for a cup of tea...
• United States
22 Sep 12
It must be a challenge to not work, when you feel you are addicted to it. I do not feel the need to work endlessly. I am quite the opposite. I like to have the quiet moments where I can just sit and do nothing and listen to the sounds i don't notice when I am too buys. There are many ways to be productive without being really busy;) joy
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
8 Sep 12
I have been a workaholic at work for years.. but also at home. But home is different.. it's my creative mind that keeps me busy and running.. I am full of plans (unless I feel very ill but as soon as I am recovering my mind is planning again), ideas, what to do. This summer was not my greatest summer either. A lot went "wrong", not as planned so as the summer(vacation) was over I was even more tired. Now I have to find a way to get some rest in between (plus I hope I learned from it).
• Romania
9 Sep 12
Same problem here. I have so many plans, I have so many thoughts and I want to accomplish so many things, so when I can't take all of them to the end I feel useless and disappointed. Maybe the problem is that everyone is also expecting the best from me and I have become very exigent with myself. After a two months vacation I feel more tired, when I should actually feel fresh and ready to start my busy program.