OK, so I'm not "old" yet. Can I be crotchety? Sometimes. I find that when I don't take enough breaks to get out and experience the "other side of life" I become more bitter.
What I mean is, that I've been on vacation with my Mom and Brother visiting me since Wednesday of the week before. Before that, I was on the "stress train." My job is extremely stressful and emotionally draining. I hadn't had a real vacation or actual restful time off since January. I had two surgeries at the end of April/beginning of May and was off for 2 weeks because of that, but that didn't count because that just increased all my stress.
Before my family arrived (Dad is sadly gone) I was getting quite crabby and tired. I am known for having almost limitless tolerance, energy, and endurance. That was fading fast. Now during this vacation I've rested some. I've been to Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Stintson Beach, the Presidio, Ocean Beach, Half Moon Bay, and the beautiful gardens around Lake Merritt with my Mom and Brother. We've had some wonderful meals together. I've baked some scones and banana bread. I've had time to make them lattes most mornings. Basically, I've had time to enjoy myself. I miss my family very much living over 2000 miles away from them. It's so nice to see them.
Taking a break has reminded me of why I do the work I do and why I live the life I live. It has allowed me to get re-acquainted with some of the places that really cause me joy that are very close to where I live, especially Lake Merritt.
Lake Merritt is only blocks away from my apartment.
So, what I get out of this is that I need to take more regular breaks from my life. Now that I've worked over 5 years for the same agency, I earn 30 days off per year. I should take more of them instead of banking them...