I have indeed run myself down to a "nubbin" as I call it. Couldn't stop until every little drop of me was gone. I consistantly did this - it was a lifestyle for me. As I got older - into my 40's and now into my 50's my body started to really rebel by permenant health problems. In my 20's and 30's, I would get violently sick with the flu several times a year- so bad that I had to be hospitalized - I think it was my body's way of forcing me to take downtime. It was also dangerous for me.

My very best friend (of 28 years) kept seeing me do this over and over again. She started "working on me" lecturing me literally (she was allowed being my best friend) and gradually she got thru. The things she kept saying "moderation" , "moderation", "moderation". So now in my 50's I actually find that I've changed, I now say moderation. She had also pointed out constantly, how I was running myself into the ground. The extreme amount of activities, the stressful situations that I put myself in without needing to, the way I handled stressful situations that made it worse.

I gradually became aware of what I was doing. I started to ask myself in advance - is this going to be stressful to me, do I actually NEED to to that activity - if the answer was no, then I didn't do it, if it was yes - I then asked myself how can I do this with the least stress. Stress for me has always led to depression and physical illness. It took so much effort.. sometimes I just wanted to give up. But I haven't had the "flu" in 10 years. The payoff for changing was worth it.

I guess what I am saying is pretty plain, Sorry..... I wish I could really help. It took a great deal of developing self awareness, then practice and monitering to change my behavior. My best friend supported me thru these changes - I didn't always like what she had to say like "And why the heck you doing that????" but it did help.

Sincerely,
freeW