Lost Mojo and struggling to regain it

ChrisHeathcote

ChrisHeathcote

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Good afternoon all, some of you may have noticed that is has been some time since I last frequented the forum. Surprisingly it was self enforced!

I will apologise in advance for the length of this post, however over the years this place has been very supportive to myself and many others and I thought I would indulge in a bit of online therapy as this has been one of the toughest years for me with may things falling by the wayside. Initially the year started well and I found myself throwing myself into this years TP52, discovering many new techniques and even getting published a couple of times, once for a still life and a few others for motorsport racing.

However as the middle of the year loomed, things got tougher and tougher. Firstly my son was diagnosed with ADHD and also PDA (a form of Autism which means that his needs are incredibly varied across the spectrum. This has resulted in exclusions from school etc that has placed a lot of pressure on the family as a whole. To top this off my father also lost his 2 year battle with cancer and although over the years we had not been close, we had grown very close over the last 2 years and this has impacted me more than I ever thought it would. Even 3 months on it is tough.

Anyway as a result of this my drive has well and truly driven off, the first to go was my determination to catch up on the TP52 and concentrate on just taking photos on days out with my family (including our 4 legged addition) and as this started to dwindle my beloved 5d3 became a doorstop!!! (literally at one point) There have even been a few occasions that I have considered selling up all my kit!!!

Anyway I am hoping for 2016 to be a lot better and I WILL be trying the TP52 again, as many of you know I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't recommend the challenge enough to others. Thank you for putting up with this (well those of you who got past the first paragraph anyway :) ). Those who know me know that I am not a bleeding heart and this was a way to try and force myself to get a grip and get back to the things I love. :D

See you all soon Chris x
 
Sorry? who are you are again?
:p

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, Chris and your son's problems of course.
Combined it must have been quite devastating. :(


I'll add you to the 52 for 2016, so you have no excuse now :p
And see you at the Nutters meet January :thumbs:
(if nothing else, you can give me your 5D3, then. And I promise to look after it :D )
 
Cobra said:
Sorry? who are you are again?
:p

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, Chris and your son's problems of course.
Combined it must have been quite devastating. :(


I'll add you to the 52 for 2016, so you have no excuse now :p
And see you at the Nutters meet January (y)
(if nothing else, you can give me your 5D3, then. And I promise to look after it :D )
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Thanks Chris, it has been tough, but hopefully I starting to come out of the side. I think I'll try and remember how the camera works first though, however I'll let you have first dibs :p
 
Sorry to hear about your crappy year Chris :(
Makes mine seem mild.
I know what you mean about the photography though. I'm just waiting for the urge to kick in again....I'm sure it will.

I too am determined to keep up with the 52 in 2016!!
 
viv1969 said:
Sorry to hear about your crappy year Chris :(
Makes mine seem mild.
I know what you mean about the photography though. I'm just waiting for the urge to kick in again....I'm sure it will.

I too am determined to keep up with the 52 in 2016!!
Click to expand...

Cheers Ruth, I couldn't be bothered to even check into TP it got that bad :( a bit of a change considering I was bordering on addicted previously
 
Sounds like you've had a real s***e time. I lost my dad nearly 13 years ago to cancer and it never heals and I wouldn't want it to. I perfectly understand, sympathise, empathise and appreciate how you feel, it's not surprising you're a bit down. It's only natural. I'm sure with the right treatment and a lot of patience things will get better with regards to your son. It's not easy and these things never seem to come on their own. Chin up and soldier on and good luck, I'm sure things will start looking up, hopefully soon.
 
BRASH said:
Sounds like you've had a real s***e time. I lost my dad nearly 13 years ago to cancer and it never heals and I wouldn't want it to. I perfectly understand, sympathise, empathise and appreciate how you feel, it's not surprising you're a bit down. It's only natural. I'm sure with the right treatment and a lot of patience things will get better with regards to your son. It's not easy and these things never seem to come on their own. Chin up and soldier on and good luck, I'm sure things will start looking up, hopefully soon.
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Thanks or the kind words Brash. We are starting to more support for my son, so things are starting to get a bit easier on that front. Heres to 2016 :D
 
and from me to ,life sometimes reaches up and kicks you hard ,a mate of mine and ex work colleague over the road who is 20 years younger than me ,had the all clear from cancer 3 years ago ,i found out the day it has come back with a vengeance and he has only a short time left .left me rather speechless the other night when i went to see him .
so every morning when you wake up be thankful for the air you breathe and face the day with a smile on your face
 
Chris, sorry to hear you've had such a bad year. I can emphasise with you. I too have struggled to even pick up my camera.

My Wife has Alzheimer's, first diagnosed at 59 and still only 67 now. It has got progressively worst and this last year we fell off the precipice. She has been in hospital the last 13 weeks and I am trying to sort a care home for her. Until I have done so I cannot even think of picking up the camera, but I will get there.

I always console myself with the view that there is always someone worse off than you. I also live with the concept that we are dealt a hand of cards to play in this world and that is the only hand we can play. We need to make the best of it.

I wish you well with the journey with your Son and hope 2016 lets you get your mojo back.

Ken
 
Sorry to hear about the tough times, but as this is life they won't get any better, merely different :)

Don't forget hobbies are supposed to be fun and for a pastime. It's ok not to take photos for a while.

Take care.
 
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