As of tomorrow, I am going to be taking a break from this board. Right now I have lost much of my enthusiasm, not just for tennis, but for many things. When players win, I find myself typing "great result" or "excellent win", mainly because it seems like the right thing to say. But I don't "feel" it like I used to. The interest is just not there as it was before.
As I have mentioned, it is not just with tennis. I am not in a good place right now with so many aspects of my life and I need to do something about it. I can't honestly think of anything positive that has happened for me in a long time and it is getting to me. Even the smallest of problems - e.g. someone not returning a phone call - sets me off at the moment. My stress levels are very high and I feel as though I am stuck in a constant cycle of negativity. So much so that at times, I find myself looking for negatives in everything, just to subconsciously validate the way I am feeling. I think this has come across recently in several of my posts, particularly in the Brexit and Covid threads, so I apologise if I have transferred any of that negativity on to others here.
I am still waiting on the result of my gas installation court case, which is stressful. I have another one next month, although in this case I am the claimant, relating to a builder who took a large five-figure deposit off me for a house purchase about 15 years ago and then failed to deliver - long story. If this one goes in my favour, it will remove a lot of the current financial stress that I am under right now. It hasn't helped with two big business deals both falling through in the last couple of months despite the huge efforts of myself and my colleague. Finance is undoubtedly the biggest driver of my current state of mind.
So after a lot of soul searching, I have decided that from tomorrow, I have to start trying making changes - improve my diet, get outside more and not spend so much time moping in front of a computer screen. I am going to try and get some exercise but each time I have started that recently, my back has given way and I have had to abandon my plans. I hope this time it holds out.
I will come back, but I don't know when. It may be a month, maybe 6 months. Hell, it may be in 2 days when I realise that leaving was the wrong decision. I just don't know. I really want to get my enthusiasm back but have no idea how to do it.
So for the time being, I wish you all well. And please don't worry - I will be fine in the end.
Bob, love and hugs from me, and from everyone, I'm sure.
It's such a hard time at the moment. Most of us are treading water, at best. A lot are far worse, I'm sure.
Do what you think you need to do to keep going and keep sane.
And you haven't come across as negative at all - well, you can be negative about Brexit but that doesn't make you a negative person !!!! That's just an opinion and we're not obliged just to put sunny, feel-good opinions out there.
Oh, I do feel for you. These are really difficult times without all the rest you have to deal with. I recommend cranial osteopathy for backs, it's gentle and seems to work well for me, no-one seems to know why, but who cares if it does. Wishing all the best with your endeavours to improve your mental health (I struggle often) and look forward to welcoming you back when you're ready xxx
Hey Bob - what am I going to do without you giving me half the nominations for player of month each time and usually by mid month ! Ill stress out and CD wont be able to fill the gap alone!!
Oh no!!
Seriously , youve got to do whats best for you - I took a break a year or so back for a few weeks, and deleted my profile and its worked. So I hope it works for you - as others say, you dont come across as negative but if you feel you need to get back the Bob that is you, take the time and come back refreshed !
Leeds will be safe so no need to worry about that and we will all pray that your financial stresses resolve themselves for you and help take a massive weight off your mind.
Take care Bob, see you soon
-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 21st of March 2021 03:54:12 PM
Will certainly miss you around here, Bob. You are great for the forum, pleasantly expressing many interesting and sound opinions ( ie. ones I agree with ) with some laughs along the way.
But #1 is your own general well being. May your break from here be as long as it needs to be but hopefully not too long.
Bob - look after yourself. We will all still be here when you are ready to come back and we will continue to cheer on your faves like Liam, Kyle and Billy in the meantime.
I echo those above, take care, you are one of a handful of people who "make this board" so you will be missed but your own health must come first. A brave post to write, hopefully you can sense how much people care for you on here, I look forward to hearing from you again as and when you are ready.
Hi Bob. Sorry I'm a bit late and I may have missed you if you have already checked out. I can totally understand why you finding life so tough at the moment. I have found this last lockdown incredibly difficult and have desperately missed the normal day to day social contacts we normally enjoy, not to mention not being able to play tennis. I can't imagine how I would have coped if I had to deal with the financial problems you describe as well. My heart goes out to you and I hope the court cases will bring some relief and you can find some peace and contentment through the lifestyle changes you are making. I always enjoy your posts and will miss them but as others have said you have to do what's best for you. We will all look forward to you returning as and when you are ready, hopefully renewed and refreshed.
If you're still here, Bob, just want to say I'm so sorry that things are so bad for you at the moment.
We will miss you enormously here.
Do hope there will be improvements in life, that there will be light at the end of the tunnel and that you will bounce back here on day - we look forward to your company again!
Very best wishes.
Just a quick final sign in (for now) to say a heartfelt thank you for the messages above. I can really feel the support and I can't begin to tell you all how much it means to me. Thank you all so much.