My new thing is always having a “new thing.”
“New things” that will make my life feel less hectic and more fulfilling. I engage in an activity that feels meaningful and reminds me that life is supposed to be enjoyed. Then, I always resolve that I am going to do “insert inspiring endeavor here” more.
But, inevitably, I get caught up and those more pleasurable activities (i.e. painting, writing, meditating, time with my boyfriend, home-cooked meals) fall to the wayside.
I have become a victim of the plague facing our society today—the stress plague. It seems this is a topic everyone is talking about, so I thought I would put in my two cents.
I can’t speak for everyone in society but I think most people my age put a lot of undo pressure on themselves to do it all because we have been taught we can do it all. Making lists. Resolutions. Running from here to there. Multi-tasking. They are a way of life.
I know I am a REPEAT offender. In my world, it seems like it is all about the end rather than the means. Seeing that little check next to the task on my list of things to do and knowing that I can move onto the next thing. Even if it something I want to do like getting together with friends.
I remember telling my best friend a couple years ago that I felt like I could never relax. The same best friend who has told me upon many occasions that I am the one who taught her how to have fun. What happened to that young mischievous girl I once was? The girl who was forcing her best friend to drink a warm Old Style in her parent’s basement and laughing about everything and nothing all at the same time? The girl I used to be?
Is this what it means to turn from a girl into a woman? Being an adult equals stress?
Then I think this may simply be an attribute of a continuing education student. I’ve floundered for years and finally found my passion and just want to live it. Making up for “lost” time. The time in which my mantra was “not all those who wander are lost.” (J.R.R Tolkien) Sometimes, I wish the next year and half would get lost, so I can just relax with my degree in hand.
But, the reality is, I probably won’t feel calm then either. And I think to myself, when am I just going to be able to slow down and enjoy life? Because, the next stage of life is looming around the corner and it will most likely involve a career and lots of Huggies, Teletubbies, and a constant flow of Wet Ones. Aahhh!
One of my biggest resolutions in life (possibly the biggest), the one “thing” I always promised myself is that I would never be that haggard mom who has let herself go. And, I think this may be where a big part of my inward pressure comes from. I spent my whole life thus far wanting my parents to be proud of me. After all, they provided me with a warm strong foundation and I’ve wanted to show them I can build a beautiful life on top of it. Now I so badly want to pay it forward and I feel like I have to have it all together before I can even think about bringing a child into my world. I want my children to have a mother who teaches them that their mom can do it all. And, enjoy it all calmly and gracefully. A superwoman who wears power suits under her aprons as she dances around the kitchen in stilettos serving up soufflés (all organic ingredients of course). Totally realistic. Perfection. No pressure there.
The reality this day and age, though, is relaxation needs to be a habit. A relaxation routine, if you will. (And, I will!) Unlike easily acquired habits (caffeine, refined sugar, bad reality television shows about models)—it’s a habit that needs to be cultivated and nurtured. And, no one activity is going to be the supreme outlet to dealing with life’s pressures. It’s going to take a whole lot more than one yoga class to find inner balance.
It’s going to be a culmination of many simple stress solutions that will be the basis for a fulfilling life.
So, as my outlook reminder ironically pops up to tell me to “just relax” with a picture of my niece’s little belly here at my work computer (I swear, that just happened)—I will probably continue to resolve to do creative things to remind myself what is important in life. Constant “new things.” And, that’s okay.
Because making time for long bike rides, blowing bubbles, journaling, sipping tea, bubble baths, craft days, playing with my nieces, calling my grandma, making a painting for a friend, watching an old movie (etc!) may not solve all my life’s problems. In fact, they may be yet another thing to put on my list of things-to-do. But, if even for a brief moment, I get that tingly “I’m ALIVE” feeling—it’s worth the extra check on my list.
“New things” that will make my life feel less hectic and more fulfilling. I engage in an activity that feels meaningful and reminds me that life is supposed to be enjoyed. Then, I always resolve that I am going to do “insert inspiring endeavor here” more.
But, inevitably, I get caught up and those more pleasurable activities (i.e. painting, writing, meditating, time with my boyfriend, home-cooked meals) fall to the wayside.
I have become a victim of the plague facing our society today—the stress plague. It seems this is a topic everyone is talking about, so I thought I would put in my two cents.
I can’t speak for everyone in society but I think most people my age put a lot of undo pressure on themselves to do it all because we have been taught we can do it all. Making lists. Resolutions. Running from here to there. Multi-tasking. They are a way of life.
I know I am a REPEAT offender. In my world, it seems like it is all about the end rather than the means. Seeing that little check next to the task on my list of things to do and knowing that I can move onto the next thing. Even if it something I want to do like getting together with friends.
I remember telling my best friend a couple years ago that I felt like I could never relax. The same best friend who has told me upon many occasions that I am the one who taught her how to have fun. What happened to that young mischievous girl I once was? The girl who was forcing her best friend to drink a warm Old Style in her parent’s basement and laughing about everything and nothing all at the same time? The girl I used to be?
Is this what it means to turn from a girl into a woman? Being an adult equals stress?
Then I think this may simply be an attribute of a continuing education student. I’ve floundered for years and finally found my passion and just want to live it. Making up for “lost” time. The time in which my mantra was “not all those who wander are lost.” (J.R.R Tolkien) Sometimes, I wish the next year and half would get lost, so I can just relax with my degree in hand.
But, the reality is, I probably won’t feel calm then either. And I think to myself, when am I just going to be able to slow down and enjoy life? Because, the next stage of life is looming around the corner and it will most likely involve a career and lots of Huggies, Teletubbies, and a constant flow of Wet Ones. Aahhh!
One of my biggest resolutions in life (possibly the biggest), the one “thing” I always promised myself is that I would never be that haggard mom who has let herself go. And, I think this may be where a big part of my inward pressure comes from. I spent my whole life thus far wanting my parents to be proud of me. After all, they provided me with a warm strong foundation and I’ve wanted to show them I can build a beautiful life on top of it. Now I so badly want to pay it forward and I feel like I have to have it all together before I can even think about bringing a child into my world. I want my children to have a mother who teaches them that their mom can do it all. And, enjoy it all calmly and gracefully. A superwoman who wears power suits under her aprons as she dances around the kitchen in stilettos serving up soufflés (all organic ingredients of course). Totally realistic. Perfection. No pressure there.
The reality this day and age, though, is relaxation needs to be a habit. A relaxation routine, if you will. (And, I will!) Unlike easily acquired habits (caffeine, refined sugar, bad reality television shows about models)—it’s a habit that needs to be cultivated and nurtured. And, no one activity is going to be the supreme outlet to dealing with life’s pressures. It’s going to take a whole lot more than one yoga class to find inner balance.
It’s going to be a culmination of many simple stress solutions that will be the basis for a fulfilling life.
So, as my outlook reminder ironically pops up to tell me to “just relax” with a picture of my niece’s little belly here at my work computer (I swear, that just happened)—I will probably continue to resolve to do creative things to remind myself what is important in life. Constant “new things.” And, that’s okay.
Because making time for long bike rides, blowing bubbles, journaling, sipping tea, bubble baths, craft days, playing with my nieces, calling my grandma, making a painting for a friend, watching an old movie (etc!) may not solve all my life’s problems. In fact, they may be yet another thing to put on my list of things-to-do. But, if even for a brief moment, I get that tingly “I’m ALIVE” feeling—it’s worth the extra check on my list.
(PS, The image is of me in the desert in Southern Utah.)
2 comments:
When did it happen that we have to schedule fun? Pencil in relaxation? How can we get back to that time before student loans and deadlines and taxes (shoot- another thing on my to-do list...)? I think this usually happens when we get back together!! I miss your creativity and your tenacious spirit in my life!! P.S. Can you teach me how to do that thing on Outlook??
Thanks for the kind words, Laur. I aggree with you. It's so nice to have your friendship to remind me there was a time when fun was my biggest prerogative. A time I didn't know heartache, third world despair, poverty (mine included, ha ha ha), etc.
As for the Outlook thing, I scheduled a daily activity in my Calender (with a weekly recurrence). I put it in for different times during each day with different messages and different photos that bring a smile to my face. And it always surprises me.
Post a Comment