8 weeks on, 2 weeks off

It is 2 days until we go on R&R and a week's holiday, and I'm so happy about it! We tend to work in 8-9 week cycles, then take minimum 1 week off (it is called R&R - rest and recuperation) and often people will tack on one week of annual leave to give a 2 week break. The unlucky ones work up to 11 or 12 weeks before taking a break, but the wear and tear begins to show at about week 7, so Steve and I are fortunate to be going at the right time. In 2 days time!

The slump hit me last week and I was less able to perform fairly simple tasks. Cumulative tiredness. I know that parents of young children will have no sympathy (and quite right too), but the routine here is a lot more than I am used to. The working days are long, the mornings are early, my work phone is on 24/7 and goes off during the night at least a couple of times a week, usually for pretty minor stuff which still needs addressing. It is not super-intense morning til night, but there are constant interruptions, often during 'off' times and it takes its toll.

The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally (as has the last 4 months since we arrived), and there has been a few discoveries about what makes me tick, and what triggers low mood. 

Good

I love being busy, I love having a range of tasks, I love being up and about / in and out. I love the mix of people-jobs and office-tasks. I like knowing my role and what is required. I like taking the lead. And I like seeing friends in the evenings and during weekends. I need minimum 3 hours alone and really, really 'off' per weekend. I need to get some exercise, and give my body and mind some time focused on physical exertion. I need to have a good chunk of time each day focusing on God.

Bad

I do not like being confronted with demands first thing, last thing or when I feel too busy - trigger. I do not like failing or being let down (and feeling like I've failed) - trigger. I do not like people approaching me things I consider to be unnecessary - trigger. 

Useful!

This represents hard earned learning! After months of feeling up and down (often down), God has helped me draw some lines between moods and their causes. And it has been super-helpful. Now, when some of my triggers occur, I can anticipate that it will effect me. And I know what to plan into my week to provide some good moods. 

I don't remember needing to do this at home, but maybe I did... it feels like you need to dig a little deeper here, and to be a bit more intentional to recognise the negative and to add in the positive. Lessons for life!