When I finally bottomed out on feeling crappy last week, I came back around to the same old thing I've always known. It's time to take care of myself and take responsibility for my outlook.

If I see it getting better, it gets better. If I see it getting worse, it gets worse.

When I take care of myself, my outlook improves, my attitude improves, my energy improves, my parenting improves, my work improves, my income improves.

So this week, I'm recommitted to the gym, been there three days in a row and I know the everyday thing won't last, but as long as I keep going, I'll keep going.

I'm eating three meals a day, drinking lots of water and trying to sleep normal hours.

Sounds like basic stuff, huh? Eating meals seems so simple it's hardly worth mentioning, until I realize I'm not eating regularly. It's that spiral where I make my kids a hot breakfast with sides of juice and fruit, eat the unwanted PB&J crusts while packing their lunches and call it good.

Darkness, depression, bad relationships: They're all the same that way — hard to see the depth of it for what it is when you're in it.

If you'll excuse me, please, I'm off to the gym for my date with the elliptical.