ME! I DO! I DO! Ooo pick me! Pick me for less stress and less anxiety! Well, let me remind you of the bad news, stress and changes will never be eliminated. Boooooo!!!!! But, less of it is better than being overwhelmed by it. It’s better than your mind and body taking a beating and becoming ill because of it. Here is something I read today summed up with some my own observations.
Planning your day, your month is better than not planning at all.
Planning with some flexibility lessens the stress because let’s be honest, things will not always go according to plan. At least, you will have some control over what did and you will have control over how you respond. I mean, if you are too rigid in your plans, you are bound to be wound too tight and spazz out when something doesn’t go the way you planned. It’s unrealistic to think things will go as planned 100% of the time. But give thanks when it does. Leave room for flexibility and adjustments including attitude adjustments.
Prioritize. And just a reminder, not everything and everyone is a priority. You cannot plan your calendar booked every weekend and then cry out, “Why did I do this?!!!!” I have decided that I cannot be everywhere, for everyone, at everything and then get upset when i am wiped out. I have to take calculated exhaustion. That’s right. Calculated exhaustion. I may have always attended x,y,z but if x,y,z is going to drain me I have to really look at it. If it’s not a birthday dinner, a holiday (and even these days in my life are now optional), I will more than likely not attend. If I don’t really like the crowd, I will not attend unless I really, really like you and I will limit my time. “Nikki, you’re leaving already???” YES. Thanks for inviting me. I need rest.
This October is a calculated exhaustion with vendor opportunities and this means I have less time for other things. I also have less energy. I must work smart and not so hard because of some health limitations. November is still loading and I am deciding this week if I want to book one more event. The plus side is that it’s one day. The down side, I don’t want to but I want the money that I may make. I doubt I will be doing anymore two day events in the future. I may not be doing any at all.
Schedule time for yourself. You are not an option.
No. Say no. Tell yourself no. Learn to tell people I will think about it and get back to you. And get back to them! Tell people I know I said yes but I was not thinking clearly. I will not be able to do this or that. And tell them in as much time as you can. People may be disappointed and it doesn’t feel good to let people down but listen to me, we will get over it. Especially, if we are mature. And we should be. Things happen. People get sick. People get exhausted. People take on more than they can handle. You and I are people. Give them the same grae you want to be given. Just do your best to let them know way in advance!
Stick to routines that work. Morning routines and nighttime routines. These rituals give you stability and you can say well, at least my morning or evening routine went well when all hell broke loose otherwise. Exercise routines give you control of something and are of course beneficial. Drinking your water and minding your business is crucial to your health. Stop getting involved and meddling in other people’s (including your adult children’s business and family matters that don’t involve you) business. We have enough of our own to manage.
If you can add anything to this, do so!
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