Respite in Lists
unwind August 17th, 2009
Okay…this will probably sound so weird…but making lists relaxes me! It’s true! When I’m really stressed out, I like to list things. It might be my list of people I want to give Christmas gifts to and what to give them, or a list of my favorite songs in a certain category, or a list of “my favorite whatever.” I just like to make lists! Now don’t misunderstand…I never really accomplish anything in regard to the lists I make…I just like to make them.
I have a good friend who likes to sort Skittles or M & Ms when she’s stressed. It’s fun to give her a bag of trail mix and watch her sort it out.
Do you have anything like that in your own crazy little mind? Just something you do when you just can’t make yourself do anything else? When you need a little respite?
Here’s a list I made today…just for fun…just to relax. It’s a list of words that when I think them, hear them or speak them…they soothe me.
Ambiance, Serenity, Serendipity, Bliss, Kiss, Resplendent, Mellifluous, Smooth, Iridescence, Enchanting, Breeze, Brook, Sweet, Soft, Hum.
What settles your nerves?
- Moments of Respite
- Comments(6)
To relieve stress, I like to run. (Outdoors if I can and ALWAYS to some good tunes). A nice hot bath always helps too. As far as the list thing goes…I forget that they tend to work a little magic on me. Anytime I’m overwhelmed and praying for help to get my life in order, the same words come to me every time: “Kim,” they say, “make a list. Make a list…daily.” Somebody up there knows me because it helps immensely, if only I can remember to do it. In fact, I’ve got a long list of ‘to dos’ shouting in the back of my mind right now, with the kids going back to school and all. Think I’ll go put them on paper now.
My dad says that if you make your “to do” list before you go to bed, your subconscious mind will plan the work while you sleep. then in the morning, you are more motivated to get the list done because you already have a plan of attack. I guess my subconscious mind is good at planning on how to be lazy or in denial in my sleep. But it’s all good!!! I read this post yesterday right before I went to bed. I mentally planned on replying sometime today. This morning, a reply just came to me–there you have it!
I am totally a list maker! I don’t always use my lists, but it helps me feel somewhat organized in my chaos! I love to read MLM books for respite! LOL!
I think the best time of my day is after everyone is in bed and I can actually have some ME time! Sometimes, I don’t even do anything, just sit and listen to the silence, but usually I read. It just helps me unwind and relax enough for my brain to sleep!
I make list while I’m in bed of all the things I’m going to acomplish the next day. (I never do)
But this usually makes me not sleep!
I love a nice bath to relax me.
In the summer I go out and pull weeds and feel the sunshine on my face. (Especially when I should be doing laundry)
In the winter, I read.
I cook. Cooking dinner while the kids run crazy, is cathartic for some reason. If I’m really stressed out, I like to listen to audio books on my iPod (with just one ear phone), and I’m suddenly in a much better mood.
The answer to this one can be completely “situational”, but this is a list of different things that work for me. AND they generally require no interruptions (by kids or otherwise) to actually work!
Music - based on my mood as to the type and whether playing or listening to it… and if I’m REALLY frustrated.. LOUD ;^)
Baking - generally cookies, or bread (homemade bread is DELICIOUS!)
Reading - a really, seriously good book
Driving - on a back “country” road… unfortunately those are disappearing quite quickly around here… :^(
But I find something new that works every now and then, like making my kids laugh - that is great, and they are so completely adorable when they are laughing so uncontrollably ;^)