Eating right...

You know, a lot of times you hear things like, "I wish I could eat right, but it's so expensive." This is true, to a point, but things have a tendency to balance themselves out. I've been trying to do a much better job at this, because, frankly, I'm probably in the worst shape of my life now that I'm pushing the big 3-0. Already I've noticed that I've lost a bit of weight (able to fit in some clothes I had grown "out" of), and I've noticed a bunch of other benefits as well. I'm able to sleep a bit better, I no longer get the awful bouts of morning indigestion from eating large portions late at night, and I generally feel better physically. Even waking up seems a little easier.

Another thing I've noticed is that I actually seem to be spending less money on food. Yes, a lot of the things I buy are more expensive (fresh vegetables and fish in particular), but I'm eating less of it. I'm also eating out less, and when I do, it hasn't been as expensive (no more beer, no more soda). I guess a lot of this has to do with the fact that you end up eating less, so again, it balances itself out.

It's been kind of a learning experience really, trying a lot of new healthy things, many of which I'm actually surprised I like (as well as a few that I won't be eating again). I've never been much of a vegetable eater, but that seems to be changing to some extent. All in all, this seems like a positive change, which is something I really, really need this year. Hopefully, it's just the first of many.

Burnt-out.

I feel burnt out on life. There's little to be positive about and the light at the end of the tunnel actually seems to be getting further away. When mentioned to others, the answers to life's problems seem so simple from their perspective, and that just makes me feel smaller and less able to do anything about it. Surely if it was so simple, I must be a fool...

Of course, it really isn't that simple, or at least, I hope it isn't. When someone is having a hard time, don't be fast to offer your solution, as obvious as it may be to you. If they want it, they'll eventually ask for it. Just sit and listen to them, because ultimately, people just want to know they're cared for, and that someone is willing to listen to them, no matter what kind of bitter bile they have to dredge up.