Comments on: Quiet lately; an explanation http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/ where we're going, we don't need roads... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:17:17 +1000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1-beta2 hourly 1 By: Secret Admirer http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1764 Secret Admirer Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:53:40 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1764 Jeff, I am writing this to you because I generally respect what you say and do and wish to offer some encouragement. One problem is that we sometimes overlook small things. I will mention three things that helped me. 1. I gave up caffeine and tried to slow down in that way. I have unwittingly abused this drug in the past at great cost to my well-being. I may drink tea, etc. again in the future, but will be far more conscious of what I'm doing. 2. I am unsure of your physical situation, but I will just say the following as an impetus for experimentation. Regular workouts (e.g., NordicTrack) of 15-40 minutes gave me a natural endorphin-like lift that helped me cope much better with life, particularly in very stressful situations. Doing it first thing in the morning seemed to work best, at least for purposes of fighting depression. 3. Oily fish like salmon or mackerel are extremely underrated foods to help anyone feel better! In particular, the cheap canned products are probably the best reliable way of getting the brain-friendly Omega-3 fats that you need. A 15oz can of Jack Mackerel for under a buck gives you three or four fish, and you can eat a fish to start every day. Since I otherwise follow a very low-fat diet, I am also careful to get a minimum amount of the essential Omega-6 by eating a handful of peanuts. There are also fish oil capsules and flaxseed, but I am unconvinced that they are as effective overall as getting it straight from the wild (not farm-raised), oily mackerel, salmon, sardines, or herring. 4. Plenty of veggies (particularly the green leafy kind) and whole grains, all the time. Banish all junk food, soda, etc. forever. Experiment a lot and try to enjoy it all. I will be happy to elaborate on any of it. Jeff,

I am writing this to you because I generally respect what you say and do and wish to offer some encouragement.

One problem is that we sometimes overlook small things. I will mention three things that helped me.

1. I gave up caffeine and tried to slow down in that way. I have unwittingly abused this drug in the past at great cost to my well-being. I may drink tea, etc. again in the future, but will be far more conscious of what I’m doing.

2. I am unsure of your physical situation, but I will just say the following as an impetus for experimentation. Regular workouts (e.g., NordicTrack) of 15-40 minutes gave me a natural endorphin-like lift that helped me cope much better with life, particularly in very stressful situations. Doing it first thing in the morning seemed to work best, at least for purposes of fighting depression.

3. Oily fish like salmon or mackerel are extremely underrated foods to help anyone feel better! In particular, the cheap canned products are probably the best reliable way of getting the brain-friendly Omega-3 fats that you need. A 15oz can of Jack Mackerel for under a buck gives you three or four fish, and you can eat a fish to start every day. Since I otherwise follow a very low-fat diet, I am also careful to get a minimum amount of the essential Omega-6 by eating a handful of peanuts.

There are also fish oil capsules and flaxseed, but I am unconvinced that they are as effective overall as getting it straight from the wild (not farm-raised), oily mackerel, salmon, sardines, or herring.

4. Plenty of veggies (particularly the green leafy kind) and whole grains, all the time. Banish all junk food, soda, etc. forever.

Experiment a lot and try to enjoy it all. I will be happy to elaborate on any of it.

]]> By: Tim Lord http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1734 Tim Lord Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:53:44 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1734 Good wishes for a ramping up. Have gone through a few bouts; I agree with the poster who said something like "don't be too good for medicine," or at least to consider it. I had to be dragged to medicine, but it truly helped. Have been off it now for about 10 years, but the kickstart I think was necessary. (Can't promise what would have happened if I'd borne through without it -- life is hard to run as a controlled experiment.) It is defeatable, though, and I hope happiness emerges for you soon. Tim Good wishes for a ramping up.

Have gone through a few bouts; I agree with the poster who said something like “don’t be too good for medicine,” or at least to consider it. I had to be dragged to medicine, but it truly helped. Have been off it now for about 10 years, but the kickstart I think was necessary. (Can’t promise what would have happened if I’d borne through without it — life is hard to run as a controlled experiment.)

It is defeatable, though, and I hope happiness emerges for you soon.

Tim

]]> By: Anonymous Bullard http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1728 Anonymous Bullard Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:54:11 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1728 May your pants be perky again! Everyone needs a break, and friends, every now and then. May your pants be perky again!

Everyone needs a break, and friends, every now and then.

]]> By: László Monda http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1727 László Monda Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:04:10 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1727 I've read that the typical hacker personality types, such as INTJ and INTP Myers-Briggs types are more prone to depression, because they always pusuing perfection and analyzing things. I can relate to your state. You'll be out of it soon! Take care, Laci I’ve read that the typical hacker personality types, such as INTJ and INTP Myers-Briggs types are more prone to depression, because they always pusuing perfection and analyzing things.

I can relate to your state. You’ll be out of it soon!

Take care,
Laci

]]> By: Sivan Green http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1725 Sivan Green Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:26:53 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1725 Dear Jeff, I couldn't believe when reading this post - the amazing, GNOME legend funny and loude person that knew always to squeeze laughs from everybody is depressed ? Get outta here! Anyways, I'd like to wish you all the best and hope you get out of it soon. Ironically or not, the symptoms you described are known however not welcomed. I do appreciate the link you provided on the post - some real practial advices and references to doing stuff to help yourself, I wish some more like this site will rise. I do hope to meet you again in some FLOSS related event, although from where I stand today this seems far. Get well soon, Yours Sivan Dear Jeff,

I couldn’t believe when reading this post – the amazing, GNOME legend funny and loude person that knew always to squeeze laughs from everybody is depressed ? Get outta here!

Anyways, I’d like to wish you all the best and hope you get out of it soon. Ironically or not, the symptoms you described are known however not welcomed. I do appreciate the link you provided on the post – some real practial advices and references to doing stuff to help yourself, I wish some more like this site will rise.

I do hope to meet you again in some FLOSS related event, although from where I stand today this seems far.

Get well soon,
Yours
Sivan

]]> By: Sipke http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1717 Sipke Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:02:17 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1717 I always like reading your blog take care! love and be loved take a look at this book: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Destiny-Switch-Emotions-Attract/dp/1401912362 perhaps it'll do something for you, let me know if it does... I always like reading your blog

take care!
love and be loved

take a look at this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Destiny-Switch-Emotions-Attract/dp/1401912362
perhaps it’ll do something for you, let me know if it does…

]]> By: Thomas Thurman http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1703 Thomas Thurman Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:56:31 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1703 @ryan: Er, sorry, that wasn't intended as a criticism of your comment. @ryan: Er, sorry, that wasn’t intended as a criticism of your comment.

]]> By: Thomas Thurman http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1702 Thomas Thurman Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:55:37 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1702 Well, sometimes it's unhelpful if a person says they have a problem and all you do is say "Oh well, that happened to me, let me tell you about it". Sometimes-- usually, really-- what's important is to be sympathetic and not talk about yourself. Well, sometimes it’s unhelpful if a person says they have a problem and all you do is say “Oh well, that happened to me, let me tell you about it”. Sometimes– usually, really– what’s important is to be sympathetic and not talk about yourself.

]]> By: Kevin Mark http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1699 Kevin Mark Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:37:23 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1699 Hi Jeff, One of these days I may meet you and pipka in the course of the great traveling circus that is FLOSS, that will be a cool thing ;-) Isolation is the enemy. Sunlight, exercise , pets, plants, seeing nature, going outside for a walkabout, etc. are things to try to combat some of the effects. I have read about various FLOSS folks express similar thoughts and as a community we try to respond with virtual and RL support. We have IRC and other means to 'keep connected'. And folks notice your absence in these communication channels. Other than the usually suggestions, maybe read cuteoverload.com or other LOL sites ;-) hope you find the light that leads you out of the dark room. Kev Hi Jeff,
One of these days I may meet you and pipka in the course of the great traveling circus that is FLOSS, that will be a cool thing ;-) Isolation is the enemy. Sunlight, exercise , pets, plants, seeing nature, going outside for a walkabout, etc. are things to try to combat some of the effects. I have read about various FLOSS folks express similar thoughts and as a community we try to respond with virtual and RL support. We have IRC and other means to ‘keep connected’. And folks notice your absence in these communication channels. Other than the usually suggestions, maybe read cuteoverload.com or other LOL sites ;-)
hope you find the light that leads you out of the dark room.
Kev

]]> By: Fabian Rodriguez http://bethesignal.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1697 Fabian Rodriguez Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:11:11 +0000 http://perkypants.org/blog/2007/06/15/quiet-lately-an-explanation/#comment-1697 Go take care of yourself before and above anything else - not for a while but for as long as it takes. Consider seeking help, mental and physical "rebooting" is sometimes better handled by professionals :) Go take care of yourself before and above anything else – not for a while but for as long as it takes. Consider seeking help, mental and physical “rebooting” is sometimes better handled by professionals :)

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