Chaos, crisis and crabbiness
I had a conversation tonight with a friend in which we both realized that the last month has been pretty much of a doozy for both of us. Life has continually thrown us curve balls and it seems like as soon as we work through one issue, the next one comes careening towards us. As we continued to talk, we realized that we’ve been hearing similar thoughts and feelings from just about everyone we know. Most of the people we interact with are dealing with changes, uncertainties, questions and generalized chaos.
So I thought I’d put it out there, a little query to the people who stop here on occasion. How is life treating you these days? Does the chaos seem to be more pronounced than normal to the rest of you?
June 19th, 2007 09:23
The older you get, the more you realize that the “curve balls” you speak of are exactly what life is all about. No amount of planning, preparation, or good intentions will ever change that. I’m sure you’re familiar with the many old adages that address that phenom –
“Life is what happens while we’re making other plans.” “Man proposes, God disposes.” “The best laid plans of mice and men . . . ” They are all true and they are all a variation of Murphy’s law.
June 19th, 2007 11:53
There has been a lot of drama around me, but I’m finally learning that my friends’ drama doesn’t have to be my drama. I can care about them and listen and be there for them, but I can’t fix anything. One friend’s husband died, another’s asked for a divorce. There are some smaller things too.
I’ve been struggling with my usual issues. I think my depression symptoms have flaired a bit. But I feel like I’m coming out of it.
So to answer your question, the chaos does seem more pronounced, but I’m dealing with it better than usual.
June 19th, 2007 12:35
Everything is dandy with me.
June 19th, 2007 13:17
Yes. Far more drama than needs be. And not just for me, but for almost everyone around me. Work has been tumultuous for a lot of people. Our turnover of long-time staff-members (family, to some of us!) has been insanely high. Relationships ending, jobs changing, it’s been crazy.
I count on the fact that it can’t go on forever, and that if one only hangs on tight enough, you can learn to enjoy the ride. I hope so, anyway!
June 19th, 2007 15:41
Things have been crazy this month- not totally a bad month- some bad- but mostly unexpected- and as someone who doesn’t like change- this isn’t great.
I think we all need whatever Scott is taking…….
June 19th, 2007 16:28
I recently came across a book, in a store on Mackinac Island, that helps. Everybody should get a copy for their desk. It’s titled: Sh*t Happens: The Book by Debbie Lazarus. The subtitle is: Somewhere, someone is having…a worse day than you…
June 19th, 2007 18:14
I’m with Diane. Same ol’ chaos as usual. Just as chaotic and crazy as it usually is. I’ve been told to expect “all hell breaking loose” in another week and a half…I will be intriqued to see if THAT is any more chaotic than usual.
June 19th, 2007 20:50
I’m just watching the tide ebb and flow. Time and tide…
Here’s to the other side of the tunnel.
June 19th, 2007 22:15
I too take very poorly to change. I take uncertainty even more poorly. In the past couple of years, change and uncertainty have become more or less constant houseguests. I think many people our age are experiencing this (all my friends are moving away/getting married/changing career/having kids/…) and for many of us, it may be the first time we experience such upheavals in our lives or are making life-changing decisions. I know for myself, I appreciate more and more these days how simple I’ve had it until now. Just when you think something is settled, you get the rug pulled out from under you…
June 20th, 2007 05:51
Very few stretches in my life haven’t been at least a little hectic and disheveled. Though the marriage of chaos and crisis is probably more about how we perceive and process the chaos, rather than the mere fact that there is chaos.
Chaos is (as others have already said) fairly commonplace to me. I just hope the adjustment to it isn’t too traumatic to recover from.
June 20th, 2007 20:13
It was pretty rough for a couple of months there. But these days things are looking up. I’m very happy to report.
June 20th, 2007 21:58
Life is treating me like a baby treats a diaper.
When stuff like that happens, I avoid people, lest I infest them with my bad attitude. It’s going to take something of great personal influence to change this trend.
I’m waiting.
June 24th, 2007 19:04
My life has been far more dramatic and difficult than is remotely necessary and it’s not the ‘this is what life is’ business either. I am old enough so that I can tell the difference. This is a whole new kind of sucking.
July 1st, 2007 12:34
I remember reading this back when you first posted it and I immediately nodded.
I think you might already have an idea of how work is going from my away messages.
