Has anyone had this problem?

[cwsmith]

I'm guessing you are subconsciously suffering from a bit of depression. I go through this all too often. For me, it's a "fight" with myself to just muster up and move on. I'm not always successful, at least in the short term.

You mentioned that you and your wife are "downsizing" and that you now face a situation where you are "limited to" a work area that is about half the size as what you had.

That alone (without the other stresses of moving and changing and planning for a "down-sized" future), would be enough to rattle anyone. Especially since you have probably spent a lot of your "woodworking" life in planning for new horizons, maybe more room, more tools, and expanded projects to challenge your talents. "Man" is all about "challenges" and new dreams.. and usually that's "expansive".

Now you are "downsizing"... Wow!

But of course, that can be "challenging" and offer new efficiencies and offer all kinds of imaginative projects... and I think that is how I'd approach it. Not so much as "down-sizing" but as creating a new environment and all kinds of opportunities for you to see what you can make of it. (Hey, think of it as "greening" you shop... smaller footprint, less of an impact on the environment, etc.) We all make more of our lives when we are challenged, I think.

One also has to ask themselves, "What am I going to gain out of this?" And, with a smaller shop area, maybe you need to address a need for a new machine or two... smaller footprint. It's amazing what a new tool or machine does for your mood. That may well be the "kicker" to put some snap back in your ambitions.

So, go make your new world and don't forget to keep us all up-dated on how we too might improve our spaces too.

CWS

[rcp612]

Thanks guys !!
You have all given me good points to ponder and after some research, I've found things to be asking my doc about. I sure hope this leads to something good, and, with all the wisdom here, I'm confident that it will.
I really appreciate the thought from captncarl but, I must live within the rules of the community, and my resources.
As the shed comes together, I'll try to keep you posted,,,,someday.

[capncarl]

An older friend of ours found himself in the same space confined situation you are describing. He solve his problem by changing his hobby from full size woodworking to doll house furniture building. He sold or traded his full size equipment for much smaller really neat tools. All of his hobby was housed in half of a enclosed carport which would have been the 8x12 you have. There are many different woodworking routes you could take to reduce the size shop you need. The shopsmith with its many acessories has filled this need for years, and can be found reasonably priced used.
capncarl

[rcp612]

Thanks to all the thoughts from all of you, I think I asked some very good questions of my doctor. He ordered some tests, and, after getting the results, has me trying some medication for a while to see what happens.
I have been getting some things done but, I still just don't have the drive to continue.
But, I'm sure that eventually, everything will work out for the better.
It sure is good knowing that I'm not the only one to have problems like this.
Thanks again guys.