My first year as a graduate student was arduous. I found my focus pulled in every direction but on myself. The result has been a decrease in focus on being active. For fun, I like to blame winter for making me want to stay inside as well. Spring semester 2013, I did an "ok" job of getting to the gym every morning. I'd stay about 45 minutes then I was off to do work inside the rest of the day. I succumbed to the wily seasonal affective disorder despite my best efforts to be out and about when I could. I always hear people say here that last winter was "mild" but for this southern gal even an inch of snow is too much. All for education...
Even this summer my world remained closed as I worked for the Forest Service, and attempted to continue working on my school work in the evenings. I'm glad the yard was big enough for the pups to run and chase each other. Thankfully, we found time this summer to teach my lab/bloodhound how to swim. We still bought her a life jacket though because I was worried, and she seemed more confident. Now I'm back in school for my second year. Everything around me threatens to remain closed and winter looms once again. But this year, I will defy SAD, winter, and my school work. I will not neglect myself through seclusion, or by not taking breaks from my work to see the outside world.
I'm doing this by being more social than last year by utilizing meetup.com to find groups I am interested in. I've joined a running group for accountability (last year didn't work out because my running partners schedule was way different than mine's). I have a membership again with the gym to make it through the winter., and my pup is bigger now so I can take her on runs....or rather she takes me when she pulls me down the road.
Yeah, this year I am fighting the world, and will not lose myself ever again.
