First off, I work in mental health and addiction field professionally. I assess people's mental health all the time and I'm highly trained in addiction treatment specifically. I've decided to lay off the alcohol and nicotine after the summer and can proudly say that in 3 months I only drank and used nicotine on one occasion. So physically and mentally I'm much better off…but here is the long-standing issue I have with my brain: I'm rarely content. More specifically:
- I Fixate on projects around the house that only I care about. Wife couldn't care less how the laundry room looks but I'm constantly thinking of ways to improve it. Same goes for the living room, rearranging things and thinking of ways to make things "look better". Sometimes feel like I can't relax until things are sorted…but not all things.
- I'm moody and can be quite negative sometimes. I feel like this is more of a longstanding personality trait or maybe I've always been more prone to negative emotion. I know I'm not very excitable and it takes a lot for me to really get excited about anything. I'm introverted by nature, and I've used alcohol and nicotine as a way to get out of my head and also be more extroverted but that's not an option anymore.
- I can be somewhat perfectionistic and will sometimes avoid doing things or trying new things because I know it will take a lot of time, work or perhaps I will fail.
For context, I'm married (10 years, together for like 20) and have 2 young boys. I've been to therapy. I exercise regularly. I'm just looking for some ideas on whether or not others have felt the same and if they figured out any strategies.
Thank you all.