Originally Posted by
SleepyDots 
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." Time to step back into my life and be who I am supposed to be.
I like that, sleepy dots. I'm a gardener so it really resonates with me. I think part of this was triggered by an email I got. I was nominated for an honor by someone and the funding agency is asking about a gap in my publication record. It is there, in part, because my drinking was at its worst.. I feel so regretful about that and embarrassed too on behalf of the person that named me.
I really wish I didn't pick at things or myself the way I do--that I treated myself like I do friends or students, with compassion and understanding. Ten people can tell me something is great and one person can say, nah, I don't like it, and I always focus in the latter. I've been like that since I was a kid.