A new me

Right, I'm back, i'm writing...and things are very, very different.
Reading back over the last few entries it doesn't really surprise me that I was diagnosed with depression - but I'm also quite proud of some of the words I wrote.

Anyway, all that aside, let's discuss what's changed...

Firstly, i'm no longer a photographer, well, not really! I haven't taken any images I've been proud of this year, mostly because I've hardly been out taking photographs this year. I still have the gear, I still see images, but I don't seem able to connect the two in my head, or in the camera. Even two weeks in the Lake District did nothing to inspire - I loved looking at the views, but felt no urge to capture them, to wait patiently...something that pleased both the dog and the wife! Still, who knows, one day the urge will return, of that i'm sure. Until that time, all my work is with The Octagon Gallery in Wisbech to sell if they can, and me...well, i'm doing other things!
Secondly, I'm not depressed - an understanding doctor, a few months of medication...and the knowledge that I had a problem have sorted that. There is a little part of me that still seems dark, and it appears that I may suffer from Seasonal Adjustment Disorder - so that's something to look forward to as we head into winter! Seriously though, just knowing that makes it easier as I can spot signs and do something about it. However, there is another thing that is helping...
Thirdly, I'm now a runner!!I know, I was surprised too when I found out. Seriously though, I started running gently (1 or 2 miles at a time) at Christmas. Now, 9 months later, I'm a member of Fenland Running Club, have competed in a number of 10k races on and off road (PB of 49:43, but I'm hoping to do something about that on Sunday), and last week I did my first Half Marathon (Grafham Water, mostly off road, time 1:50:55 - very, very pleased!!). Running seems to be filling a need to do something. I'm sleeping better, seem (mostly!!) calmer and less stressed, whether at work or home, my mind seems sharper and I feel a lot healthier. Since Xmas I've lost about 8kg (roughly 18lb in old money for those born before me!) - halfway to my target, but still enjoying my food just as much. I'm also setting myself targets, entering races, and having stupid ideas involving ultra-marathons etc. After a few injury niggles I've also started working on core exercises and whole body stretches and (touching huge amounts of wood now) everything seems to be going well.

Things that haven't changed :
I still have the wife (although why she puts up with me I don't know), I still have the collie Piper (although why he...no, that's just daft - I walk him and fuss him, that's why!).
I still love music, although I've had a few weeks of not really listening (just being a bit jaded really) three new albums have sparked the love again. Anathema - Falling Deeper is good (not great, but good), Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events is also good (still listening and waiting to see if it's as good as most other people say) and Opeth - Heritage is downright amazing. It's that good i'm actually rationing myself so I don't do my normal trick of listening to it so much I overload then can't hear it for another six months (me? OCD? well, maybe!!)
I'm still Head of Design for the UKs largest flightcase manufacturer, although that's less fun than it used to be... I wonder what else is out there...

Okay, so that's anyone who stumbled on this very bored now so i'll leave with just one thought...
Yep, thought so!