We all know that all work and no play not only leads to a dull life but can also lead to many health issues as well. Trust me, I learned that first hand and do not recommend it. Coming back from the abyss can really be a wakeup call; the question remains whether or not to pick up the line. I decided that now that I am feeling much better (hoping for 100% soon) that it was time for me to reduce my work hours to no more than 70 per week, including farm related work (I have a plan to further reduce it eventually down to 50) and to start doing things that I once enjoyed but had stopped due to having worked up to and sometimes exceeding 110 hours a week (it’s no wonder I got sick after 5 years of that schedule). Then it occurred to me that I had no real idea as to what I enjoyed anymore since it had been so long. Like any good addict in new recovery (workaholic in my case) I found myself emotionally stunted to about the time when my addiction took over. What did I like before my schedule consumed me? I started exploring what I once loved. I thought of hiking, nature, photography, sculpture, art, painting and a host of other things that I decided I was not quite ready for and then remembered my first love and introduction to what would become my life’s work: the diseased mind. Like many folks who grew up in the 80’s some of my first movie memories were slasher flicks that were massed produced to meet the needs of the new video rental market. To me Friday the 13th was king. Simple though arguably complex- a perfect killing machine if there ever was one. Slow, methodical and to a young kid, so cool! I mean, not cool as in “I want to hang out with him” but cool as in “wow- he is so determined and focused.” Watching those movies helped me get interested in psychology: how could a mind go so wrong? Say what you will but that movie also showed me that you do not have to get angry, you can stay calmed and focused and get your needs met. Thankfully my needs never included serial murder like Jason. From an early age I started to study psychopathology with the idea that if you could understand the diseased mind you would then better understand the healthy one. Call it reverse engineering at its scariest. Dusting off some old DVD’s I proceeded to watch 11 Friday the 13th movies over the course of a few weeks, including the 2009 relaunch that kind of ignored some of the key psychology behind what was arguably the essence of Jason Voorhees. I started to feel revived by doing things that were not work related. I smiled more; I laughed more and I felt like I could have fun again. I did some Google searches and found that there were whole fan bases for Jason. I discovered that you could buy replica masks tailored to specific movies. I felt like a kid. Being a cheap skate I opted not to buy the $200.00 replica mask and instead started looking at ones on auction sites. I now own one from part 6 and have another on its way from “Freddy versus Jason.” Making his “hood” from part two took all of a few minutes and cost pennies. What could I do with this new mask? The thought of walking around the farm at night in costume made me giggle like a school girl picturing the confused looks and possible “ahhh” moments when a friend may first wonder onto my path. I also took some pictures with the mask on, I was not going for scary, I decided that I would try for a theme of Jason goes on vacation. Soon I was in the mask wearing a pith helmet, then big novelty sunglasses and the pith etc. I am going to use one of those pics for my personal facebook page. I spoke to the owner of the WIP (farm) and asked about having a small Halloween party that I would open to the public. He seemed to like the idea and I am currently in the planning stages. There will be two parts to the party, the early afternoon part will be open to everyone of all ages that is associated in any way to my not for profit and the evening part will be open to close friends and family. I even have a replica “welcome to camp Crystal Lake” sign being made by a volunteer. One thing we must remember as clinical professionals is that we DO clinical work but it is not WHO we are. We can work hard but we can also play. Do not make the same mistakes as others. We can still “try to save the world” but even the grand architect of the universe took time off to play. If you do not believe me simply take a look at the aardvark and tell me that is the work of a serious artist? If you are driving by the WIP sometime soon and see a large man wearing a Jason style hockey mask while riding a red Ford farm tractor do not worry as he is not a serial killer nor are they making another Friday the 13th movie, instead it is just me blowing off some dust, finding a smile and having some fun. I would love to hear about some of the things you do to blow off steam.
Warren Corson III (Doc Warren) is a counselor and the clinical & executive director of a community counseling agency in central CT (www.docwarren.org).