Read on Twitter
Let’s talk crunch mode for a second and how it broke my thyroid.
Especially for #composer friends. Thread incoming.
1/
Especially for #composer friends. Thread incoming.
1/
Some of you may remember my ridiculous, 60-day crunch I had back in April. I had some last minute deadline changes for two different concert pieces, which led to 4 projects overlapping in the span of 60 days instead of a planned 2 projects.
It was a nightmare, physically.
2/
It was a nightmare, physically.
2/
The good news is that I got all the music done on time and done well (hired @EvanRMusic to do some part layout extraction for me! Thanks Evan! Saved me too much time).
The bad news is that it took a toll on my body, BIG time. I haven’t felt “normal” since.
3/
The bad news is that it took a toll on my body, BIG time. I haven’t felt “normal” since.
3/
This has been my usual schedule for years. It has been clean, concise, comfortable, and consistent. It’s never been too much for me.
What was once 9-12 hour days became close to 14-15 daily, nonstop. Not even evening exercise (not listed in picture).
4/
What was once 9-12 hour days became close to 14-15 daily, nonstop. Not even evening exercise (not listed in picture).
4/
Since June, I’ve been ultra sluggish. Waking up at 6:30/7:00. Still getting all my necessary work done, but without a certain level of energy I’m used to.
Got bloodwork done, and discovered my TSH was out the roof.
(See ideal range, pictured, vs. what I’ve got).
5/
Got bloodwork done, and discovered my TSH was out the roof.
(See ideal range, pictured, vs. what I’ve got).
5/
Prior to this nasty crunch mode, my TSH was perfectly healthy. Was less than 6 months since my last panel.
For those who are curious, high TSH = underactive thyroid (hypo), low TSH = overactive thyroid (hyper).
Hence, my sluggishness.
6/
For those who are curious, high TSH = underactive thyroid (hypo), low TSH = overactive thyroid (hyper).
Hence, my sluggishness.
6/
My doctor thinks it might be temporary, and gave me some thyroid boosting supplements. But it could also be a long-term thing. Only way to find out will be with subsequent bloodwork and seeing what’s improved/changed/etc.
7/
7/
The moral of the story here is that, yes, crunch mode can really impact you. Even when you think you’ll be fine.
Not just being tired. Not just being exhausted. But it can actually cause damage to your internal organs.
Learn from my mistake, friends!
8/
Not just being tired. Not just being exhausted. But it can actually cause damage to your internal organs.
Learn from my mistake, friends!
8/
Things you can do to avoid crunch mode:
1.) If someone pushes your deadline FORWARD, and you know it’ll lead to crunch mode, be firm with them and do your best to keep it on the original date.
But 4 full, large projects overlapping in 60 days is not easily done.
9/
1.) If someone pushes your deadline FORWARD, and you know it’ll lead to crunch mode, be firm with them and do your best to keep it on the original date.
But 4 full, large projects overlapping in 60 days is not easily done.
9/
2.) Be honest with yourself. It’s good to have confidence and know it’ll get done...
...but at what cost? If you’ll lose exercise, time in the sun, time with family/friends, good food, on top of losing sleep, you can rest assured it’s *not* worth it.
Be realistic.
10/
...but at what cost? If you’ll lose exercise, time in the sun, time with family/friends, good food, on top of losing sleep, you can rest assured it’s *not* worth it.
Be realistic.
10/
3.) Plan accordingly. When you set your initial deadlines, plan them further ahead than you think.
Things happen. You’ll get sick. Technology issues. Momentary creative blocks.
Set deadlines back, so if they do get pushed forward, it won’t be a big hit.
11/
Things happen. You’ll get sick. Technology issues. Momentary creative blocks.
Set deadlines back, so if they do get pushed forward, it won’t be a big hit.
11/
Fortunately, I’m in the hands of a good doctor, whose boss basically cured my wife’s thyroid (which was in a much more dangerous state than mine).
She said I’ll be fine. I know I’ll be fine. Biggest symptom is that I just want more sleep than usual.
12/
She said I’ll be fine. I know I’ll be fine. Biggest symptom is that I just want more sleep than usual.
12/
I’ve certainly learned from this, and I know how to better plan my projects so awful, unnecessary overlap doesn’t happen like this again.
You live, you learn, right?
13/
You live, you learn, right?
13/
In summation, 
PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH
I’ll admit — when I got to that crunch, I said, “I’ll be fine!” All that mattered to me was getting it done well and done on time. Bad idea.
Don’t pull a Q2 2020-Tony and destroy yourself. Work hard. But be kind to yourself.
14/14
PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTHI’ll admit — when I got to that crunch, I said, “I’ll be fine!” All that mattered to me was getting it done well and done on time. Bad idea.
Don’t pull a Q2 2020-Tony and destroy yourself. Work hard. But be kind to yourself.
14/14
For additional reading, check out this article. Explains essentially exactly what happened:
Chronic stress can lead to thyroid issues. Acute stress, humans are good at handling. Chronic, not so much.
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/chronic-stress-thyroid-condition/
Chronic stress can lead to thyroid issues. Acute stress, humans are good at handling. Chronic, not so much.
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/chronic-stress-thyroid-condition/
