I feel the same way, in the same boat.
You have to find/carve out some time for yourself.
Call an old friend.
Do something nice for yourself (buy inexpensive flowers @ the grocery
store, call an old friend.
While I know it's hard when you're busy w/family & in the day of texinging & email, but 3 friends just called me today.
Make new friends: mom's groups, work & the park are the easier norms.
Don't worry about missing out on the "gossip & goings on at work". You're not missing anything. It's okay.
It's also okay to have the work schedule you DO have. It's not only ok, it's great and others would love to have that opportunity.
Be happy w/what yo do have, count your blessings, look for "new" things to do and take on. A cooking class (pick up those Learning Exchange type leaflets @ Starbucks), a dance class, try a new cardio class at your local gym. Don't belong to a gym, consider joining an inexpensive one near your home. Take up a hobby you never actually took the time to do: winemaking, jewelry making.
Make a list of 10 places you'd like to go/visit.
Make a list of 10 things you'd like to try: skydiving (ok maybe not that one), learning the rhumba.
*Learn a new language (check out a book/audio tape from library).
Get out of your rut. I know because I'm in that rut myself and it's hard. I had a very active social life, hobbies, friends and my own independent interests. Independent of my hubby & kids. I am going through a tough time too and am trying to carve out time to re-invent myself. The "new" me. the "Me" that has kids, family to take care of and responsibilities.
But I feel it can be done.
Start taking pictures again! Get out there. take your camera!
Take 30 mins a day just for you (for a walk, unwind time, bath, take pictures in your neighborhood, take yourself to a cafe for quiet time & a decaf coffee if it's late).
I'm slowly getting there. The "old me" is dormant. Not gone but not the same. The "new me" is slowly developing, emerging. I'm happy to see what "she" comes up with.
I'm taking pics for me & close friends to "journal" my life. Taking pics of our old school, homes etc.
Going for walks to rejuvenate myself until I can carve out some time for myself to really lose weight!
Take care of you! Hope that helps. Take it easy! One day at a time, one hour at a time. You'll get back there to that long lost self but she will be better!!!