I have a great boss. She always listens but never coddles. I feel confident that at least for now, I've resolved the issues that I've been having at work. That alone feels amazing. I have a clear path to finding a real balance and I'm really hoping that it all works out.
Now that I don't have anything real to focus these feelings of stress and anxiety on, I am having trouble processing why I still feel a little overwhelmed. I kind of feel like the Cyclops from X Men, without his lazer/visor thing. With nothing to aim all of my stress and frustration at, I fear that I will destroy everything.
So my focus now is stress relief. Obviously, I am not going to become stress free over night or ever but I have to do something to at least try to curb it a little. If for no other reason than I need to focus on something to get me through.
I am feeling so much better lately and I don't want to let the stress bring me back down. I'm looking into meditation and I'm going to start getting outside more often; going on hikes, making bonfires in my parents backyard, sleeping on the balcony when I stay at the beach. I'm going to shed this stress, I must. I'm actually excited to explore and find what works for me.
Stress can be crippling and I'm determined to find a way to handle it without shutting down or getting upset.
How do you guys deal with stress? I'd love to hear different ways that you keep yourselves level.
I am terrible for bottling up and compounding all of my stress to the point where I full on explode from overload. I'm trying not to be that person. I'm trying to make proactive choices. I'm trying to be healthier and happier, but it's not always easy. Sometimes the stress can just get to be so all consuming. Good for you for recognizing this and trying to mitigate it.
ReplyDeleteI'd say, sit down with a good book, a cup of tea and a blanket and just decompress for awhile. Or, sit with a notebook and spew all the things that are stressing you out and then figure out which ones you can control and try to come up with a plan to improve things little by little. Don't make all of the changes at once, work them in slowly.
Now, I will stop rambling and take my own advice.
xx
It certainly can be all consuming. It can be so hard to keep your head above water. I think, from what you've said" that you and I are at least in a better place than some people who refuse to acknowledge that they sometimes get stressed. That was a battle in itself, learning to admit when I got a little down about things.
DeleteThanks so much, that is excellent advice :)
<3
I just started feeding the ducks at our local park. I didn't think it would be peaceful with a bunch of quacking ducks swarming around but it it. So now I take Penny Lane (dog) on a fun romp around the park and then we settle by the ducks for a bit. Its actually pretty amazing. And quite calming :)
ReplyDeleteI can see that being very peaceful. I wish it wasn't so cold because I have a feeling that a large portion of this comes from not being able to go outside. I can't wait to be able to do things like that again.
DeleteThanks!
I feel like it's going to sound cliche to say it, but it's the honest truth... Yoga has really made the difference with me when handling stress. Getting myself to take the time to go to a class or do a video really makes me take the time to shake off all of the stress from the day and center myself.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to look into a yoga class for a while now. I definitely need to at least try it out, a lot of people say that it helps them a lot.
Deletewoo lady! way to have the courage to talk to your boss. when i feel stressed my manager is the first person i turn to (we are lucky we have that luxury). god, in the past when i had a terrible boss i basically ended up quitting, bc that support is so important. to stay less stressed, i try to take little breaks and get out when i can. its amazing what getting away from your desk, or the work place can do. lists also really help me... sometimes it just helps to clear up my mind by getting it onto paper instead of letting it swim aimlessly in my head. good luck lady :) and definitely letting your friends know your struggles can help too it's what we are here for.
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky to be comfortable enough to go to her with stuff. I've had bosses in the past that acted like I was wasting their time if I was feeling badly.
DeleteI do need to make my breaks more peaceful and instead of making a quick phonecall or something, just have some quiet time, you know?
Thank you so much :D <3
I agree with Nikkiana. Yoga is awesome for clearing your mind and it makes your body feel great!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to try it out!
Delete<3
I'm glad you were able to talk to you boss about the stress you've been feeling, but even though that is resolved you still need to bring back some inner peace to be able to feel fully at ease. I meditate, or go to the beach, or just sit in silence and reflect on everything, and then let it go. Sometimes just writing these thoughts down on paper in a journal, where you can close it and put it away can help with closure. Either way I hope you find some peace my friend :)
ReplyDeleteXo,
Eeka
Thank you :) I'm planning on looking into some meditation methods.
DeleteThanks so much <3
I love your blog! I nominated you for the inspiring blogger award!
ReplyDeletehttp://studiomaisonblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/inspiring-blogger-award.html
Thank you so much!!! I'll be posting about it soon!
Delete<3
I COMPLETELY understand. I mean REALLY. I know a lot of people say they that they understand, but you have no idea. I worked in a casino for years. On top of it, I had one of the most stressful jobs in a casino(per others who work there). I got so stressed, I ended up in the hospital a few times. One time when my stomach hurt so bad for so long that I couldnt eat or keep anything down that I tried to eat for so many months that I lost 40 pounds. the next time, I had collapsed at work and my legs were numb from the knee down for weeks or more. I mean-stressed. Work had taken over my life. I made such good money for someone at my age, and I had worked in a casino since graduating college - no one wanted me for anything else. I tried taking a few days off, but the stress always came back. So I quit. Now, most people aren't granted the blessings I have, as my husband also works in the casino business making better money than I was, and he told me I had to quit, because the job was killing me and he couldn't watch me do that. So.... I guess I don't have great advice, because most people can't just up and quit their job... but I can say one thing. Do everything you can to get to somewhere where the stress is less, or close to nothing. You won't believe what is on the other side. I had lost myself, and I can never allow that to happen again. No amount of money is worth it. I hope you feel better soon.... please take care of yourself. I love reading your stuff! I put your button on my page!
ReplyDeleteOh my god :( That sounds completely awful. I'm so happy that you were able to quit. I started to really worry about stress recently when I started to throw up almost on a daily basis. It's always right when I get home, like as soon as I'm not under scrutiny I feel my stomach get less tight and all of the "sick feeling" just takes over. I wasn't going to share that little detail but wow, after all that you went through...my problems sound like nothing.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing and I hope that I can find a way to get to a place (literally and figuratively) that is less stressful.
I'm so happy that you're okay!!
<3 Thank you!
I listen to music. There is a song that has the amazing power to calm me down whenever I am stressed out that always works. I'm not going to share because its going to age me, haha, but I love it.
ReplyDeleteSarah=)
www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
Music and I have a strange relationship. I can't really explain it well but basically, when I get blue, I tend to listen to songs that remind me of bad things. It's really silly but it always happens that way. I definitely need to find some happy music with good associations to listen to.
DeleteThank you :) <3
i'm so sorry lady, i know all the stress from work can be terribly crippling. it seems that things are at least a little better now. when i'm in your place, i like to take a little time in the evening to unplug from every thing/one (literally— no phone or computer) and have a hot cup of tea. just sitting in silence with a warm mug is so comforting to me. if i'm particularly stressed i like to do "free writing" exercises. just grab a pen and paper and write down everything in your head— no matter how strange or embarrassing. it feels good to let it all out knowing you won't be judged. (and knowing you're not going to accidentally take anger/stress out on people you love!) it also helps me relax and sleep because i've already gone through + written down everything that's bothering me so i don't lie awake in bed with my mind racing.
ReplyDeleteanyway, i hope you've found something that helps and that you are feeling better <3
That is really good advice, I could use some time in the evening to just soak the day in and let it flow out. Free writing is a wonderful idea too, because a lot of times my thoughts ARE racing, like you say.
DeleteThank you so so much :) <3
Hello you are so honest to discuss stress and it effects all aspects of life sometimes!! Getting a balance and sense of calm is so important and vital to cope with every day pressures. Good luck with it:)
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