All Entries Tagged With: "australia"

“Happy Wife: Happy Life”

Leslie decided to stop blogging for a while as she made new discoveries about herself and codependency. I took it as an opportunity to take a break also but as she has had several people contact her wanting to discuss symptoms and such I thought it might be time to put my two cents in again.  Leslie has been awesome the last couple of months. Earlier in the year I was feeling the pressure and weight of her depression in our marriage.  It was making me feel down and incapable of helping the person I really love.  I felt overwhelmed and really didn’t know what I should do.  What I did know was that our marriage will not be a productive and happy one if we don’t figure out how to overcome this problem. We escaped to Australia earlier this year to spend time with my family. For me it was a time to just do nothing and think about nothing. I was exhausted from work and from Leslie’s depression and other symptoms.  Since coming home I believe that Australia trip to be a life changer.  Leslie figured out that she was codependent and started to research and learn about it.  She has been helping me understand it and watching her come to terms with her life experiences with determination to change the way she thinks has been inspiring.  In addition to that she started trying acupuncture as a method to reduce her allergy symptoms.  This treatment includes NAET principles of energy manipulation.  The way I understand it is that your body is out of balance with things around you causing allergic reactions.  Leslie is allergic to everything.  Since starting these treatments she has been cured from eggs, milk, lactose and histamine.  It makes me so happy to know that my Leslie is going to be able to be free from a vast majority of her allergies over the next few ears as she continues her treatment. In addition to these two different changes in her life there is a significant third- and that’s the sun, it came out.

I asked Leslie a week ago or so if she was depressed and she said no. I would have to affirm that statement.  She hasn’t been acting depressed and I haven’t felt it effecting my moods negatively at all. She has been visibly happier which really puts a smile on my face.  Is the journey still going to be difficult, you bet but at least we are heading in the right direction. I believe eliminating just 50% of her allergies will increase her ability to manage her depression.  With her new found discoveries of codependency she is working at adjusting the way she thinks so she can become mentally stronger.  I don’t know the role the sun plays in all of this but I know it helps so bring it on.

I’m hoping to have her completly cured of everthing by Christmas……is that to optimistic?

Australia trip

Leslie and I are having a great time in Australia.  She genuinely looks and seems happier right now.  The change in environment and spending more time with me may have contributed? I think the big thing is that we have a plan for the next three years.  That plan is really simple and realistic.  The thing that stresses Leslie out the most is our mortgage, or rather it is the thing that stresses me out the most which then stresses her out.  The idea that my mortgage will take thirty years to pay off really bothers me, but since I’ve been in Australia I have worked out a new financial plan that will allow me to pay the house off in about 8 years.  That idea really excites me and Leslie has noticed an improvement in my countenance.  I don’t realize how my moods affect Leslie and it’s something I’m going to really have to work on.  She has enough to worry about and doesn’t need me stressing out over our finances to make things worse, especially since we are not in a bad situation like so many people out there.

Leslie has been working with me here in Australia to help me understand her a lot better.  Understanding her more deeply will help our relationship grow. It will help me better understand how I can help her best eliminate depression from her life so she can be that vibrant and happy woman that I know is waiting to escape her mental prison.

Refreshing Retreat

The last month has been really difficult.  I have felt completely drained physically and mentally at work.  On top of that I have felt low motivation for virtually everything. Leslie thinks this is depression but I don’t think so.  I just need a little break so I can re-energize.  That break is finally here and I am currently in Australia with my family.  It is great to be home.  Mum and Dad look fantastic. Leslie unpacked all our stuff while I took a refreshing shower after a twenty hour journey.  I’m looking forward to seeing my siblings and can already feel my regular energy levels returning.  This Australia trip is going to be a breakthrough trip for us. Leslie and I will be able to work on our relationship and hopefully figure out how we can better support each other with our varying needs. Depressed- I think not.  I was just down few a short period of time. If I was a super hero my super power would be my ability to pick myself up every time I fell down.  Now if I could just figure out how to use my special power to help Leslie then we could be like the Incredibles.  Well, I going to eat something Australian.

Combating Negativity

I must admit that in the last few months I have allowed myself to feel down.  This could have been caused by Leslie’s influence on me, which is what I was thinking.  I have since come to realize that in addition to her negative influence I have felt job dissatisfaction. I have a strong desire to be successful at something, anything and I strive to do a great job for my employer.  My employer believes that I am an asset to the company but I feel like I should be able to do more.  It drives me crazy thinking that I could have done a better job but failed to meet my own expectations.  On top of that I have been feeling down about 4 years of failing as an entrepreneur.  It addition to that I have been struggling to help Leslie with her depression.  On top of all those issues I really want to start my family and that’s just not possible right now.  So I have been feeling a little down lately and have really been excited to go home to Australia in a few weeks to just take a break.

Leslie noticed that I was at an all-time low and found a book that reminded her of me… well, of the “old-me”.  It is called the 4 hour work week and she was right- I love it! This guy is doing what I have been trying to do for the last 5 years.  WOW have I been screwing things up.  Well better late then never.  Since reading this book I feel the excitement of life creeping back into me.  I feel rejuvenated and ready for the next round.  I guess you could say I was feeling a little sorry for myself for all of my failures instead of focusing on my successes.  But I’m back to my usual optimistic self and all is well.