Max Riffner
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Drained
The heat is still getting to me, sure, but what else is getting to me is the dual-lifestyle I’m leading: Design Supervisor by day, Comic Creator by night. That’s a full plate for anyone, but I also have to function as a husband and caregiver. I can’t neglect my dog, and I can’t neglect my home and family.
Last night, I got home after meeting with employees and managers on a variety of issues and projects to turn around and immediately go to the grocery store. I got home, had a quick dinner, then mowed the lawn, fertilized the lawn to combat some “frog eye” fungus, watered the lawn well past dusk so the dog wouldn’t be poisoned by the chemicals in the fertilizer, and then I had to sit down and draw my page for me to ink tonight. I was exhausted when the Chief asked me to go for a walk with the dog. Couldn’t do it.
So, not only is my family the loser here, but I am losing out also. I feel like I have no time to excercise. I find myself eating fast food more and more for fear of losing precious time.
During the day, I feel out of sorts, because I have to cram in so much at night.
Obviously I’m burning out. I can see it happening. I’m getting a bit snappy in my responses to innocent questions. I go through this cycle about every six months. I should hit another one in December/January. I’m at the point now, after doing comics for so long at night, that I have to wonder if it is all still worth it.
I have never tried to answer that question truthfully for fear of a “wrong” answer. This is probably why I still do this to myself after four years, night in and night out.
I’ll take a day off here shortly, then our vacation in August for a week. That should hold it all off until December.
Work sucks. We were not meant to live like this. I also get the whole guilt bullsh#t if I take a sick day or a vacation day.
I took the day off and in the whole building there was no one that could figure out to reboot the print server when it stopped working. They had to call someone from global support and all they did is call me at home.
I hate the world.
I feel burned out as well, Max, so I know what you’re going through.
At the moment I’m not being treated well at my job (for numerous reasons that are mostly linked to the corporate fantasy), and we’re dealing with other things.
It’s gotten to the point where in the time I’m spending trying to figure things out, I’m also neglecting a few of my friends in the process which I’m not too proud about.
I hope you get over this steep hill , which you will, it’s just difficult to muster any energy to commit yourself to it. As you said, wondering if there’s a wrong answer to your questions.. oh man, I hear you on that my friend.
I’ll send lots of refreshing mojo to you.
Hah! One more thing.. hang in there
Save the well wishes for yourself, Kartooner! It sounds like you need it more!
I know I just need a week off to recharge, and I’ll be pretty much back to normal. Running ragged, but I know myself, I know my symptoms and when to back off.
I understand being a square peg in a round hole at work; I’ve been there in the past. All I can say is that things always get better, either by you moving on or by the situation righting itself.
And don’t worry so much about your friends… if they are true friends, they’ll stick with you.
Good luck!
ChristianJun 23, 04:12 AM
Dood, I can totally empathize. My weekdays consist of an 8 hour workday, followed by a quick dinner and 3-4 hours working on the new house. Last night I was there until 11:15. And my weekends? 6-8 hours working at the new house each day. But I can relax in the intermening hours, right? Nope. Every weekend I’ve had plans (i.e. graduations, graduation parties, showers, et al). Which normally would be fine, but that leaves me with no time to just chill out with the wife and pups. The only thing that’s keeping me going is knowing that the sooner we get the house ready, the sooner we can move in. So keep your chin up and know that I’m right there in the trenches as well. And don’t forget: video games and alcohol next Tuesday night at the D&B VIP Party. Could be just what the doctor ordered…
So keep your chin up and know that I’m right there in the trenches as well.
Multiply that by about 4 years and yeah, we’re right there. :)
Seriously though, what you are doing now is shit that gets negotiated to the back of the line in my current lifestyle, and it is hard because it shouldn’t be. I want to work on our house, but I also want to be successful with my comics. It is a tough line to balance, and it causes a good deal of strain on myself and my loved ones.
I hate the world.
Tim, I’m not there with you yet, but I know how frustrating that scenario is. I’ve had that and the opposite happen, when they call you over any little thing that goes wrong when there are people on site who can more than adequately handle the problem.
a-trainJun 23, 06:23 AM
I think you need a hug. I know I do.
Just wait until you add a baby Max to the mix. You will look back and say, “God, I can’t believe I used to have that much free time.”
On a side note, I too will be attending the D&B VIP event. Hope to see you there.
A-train
Hey! Burnout victims! Here’s a great list of coping mechanisms over at To-Done.com.
Just blame it on the heat. The heat has a funny way of nagging on people.
Although I do feel for ya. I’m to the point these days that I can’t even look at the computer at home. And when I do, it usually involves me figuring out what I want and need to do before hand so I can get in, get it done, and banish the iMac back to sleep mode.
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Jun 22, 09:01 AM
Just do what I do and manage to take on another project…