Why Do I Feel Empty?

On paper, I’m doing better than I ever have. Last week I turned 64 and it’s wild for me to think that next year I’ll be eligible for Medicare. I have no plans for retirement, though. In a month, I’ll have been at my job for a year, and this is the best clinic I’ve ever worked at. They value and respect us and treat us well. I plan to stay as long as possible.

In addition to a great job, next week I’ll be teaching my third class as an adjunct instructor at a local college. I developed the curriculum for this class, which was a lot of work, but I did a solid job.

I continue to write, publish, and post on this page. I’m about halfway through the first draft of my memoir and I’ve applied to a competitive 10-month memoir incubator program. They accept 10 students, and the decision will be announced in April. All I can do is wait.

One of my goals for 2025 is to grow my presence as an influencer in the mental health space on social media. I was invited to join a networking group and connect with people who can help me achieve this goal.

I have the best brother in the world, who is supportive and who loves me unconditionally. I have a small but close circle of good friends who I see often.

And then there is Shelby, the dog I rescued five-and-a-half years ago who I love in a different way. When I walk into my apartment she bounds toward me, tail wagging, and at night she curls up with me in my bed. We were both broken and we were meant to…