You know, I'm really happy to know that I'm not alone. I experience the _exact_ same cycle and problems mentioned in the article.
I started crossfit last fall, and I felt great. I finally kicked my perma-funk and I was LIVING life. Unfortunately, I was injured (not related to going to the gym) and I haven't been able to workout except for pushups and situps. Now I'm stuck in a hard place: I physically cannot work out, and I absolutely need it to maintain a healthy mental state.
My friends don't understand my behavior and why I'm happy, then when I need to hide from them so they don't run into my 'down' state. I had a wonderful relationship with a beautiful girl, which ended with her leaving me, partly because communication broke down when my pendulum swung between metal states. I try really hard to not put my friends through my issues, but you can't be close to anyone without them eventually learning who you actually are. Like the guy in the article, I've developed the same defense mechanisms to appear normal.
One thing I'm starting to observe is that this condition of anxiety, which when not managed leads to despair/depression, kinda runs with the territory of being a software developer. I guess maybe it's just how our brains are wired.
I wish there was just an easier way to manage this, or at least explain to 'normal' people that I won't always be normal, and it's ok.
I started crossfit last fall, and I felt great. I finally kicked my perma-funk and I was LIVING life. Unfortunately, I was injured (not related to going to the gym) and I haven't been able to workout except for pushups and situps. Now I'm stuck in a hard place: I physically cannot work out, and I absolutely need it to maintain a healthy mental state.
My friends don't understand my behavior and why I'm happy, then when I need to hide from them so they don't run into my 'down' state. I had a wonderful relationship with a beautiful girl, which ended with her leaving me, partly because communication broke down when my pendulum swung between metal states. I try really hard to not put my friends through my issues, but you can't be close to anyone without them eventually learning who you actually are. Like the guy in the article, I've developed the same defense mechanisms to appear normal.
One thing I'm starting to observe is that this condition of anxiety, which when not managed leads to despair/depression, kinda runs with the territory of being a software developer. I guess maybe it's just how our brains are wired.
I wish there was just an easier way to manage this, or at least explain to 'normal' people that I won't always be normal, and it's ok.