DON’T STRESS TOO MUCH . . . JUST START SOMETHING!

How many times have you heard me say that !?

There’s been a lot of extra stress lurking around here lately!  Vehicles down, allergies up (WAY up) and a couple short-check weeks, just for a few examples.  Oh, and that nasty neighbor (who of course, lives right next to us) in our otherwise amicable neighborhood!  Doesn’t it seem like every area has one stinker in the bunch.  Ack!

The blog and accompanying social sites have kept me very up and down i.e. great then lousy, and quite literally UP at night!  That isn’t new of course, but continuously stressful.

Well, I’m thinkin’ it’s about time I followed my own advice!  I’m tired of stressing out.  Just tired period.  So I sat myself down, took a bit of “me” time with the little notebook . . .      and started a list.

OK, I hear some of you groaning … “Cheryl, you’re always making lists”!   But hey, most times IT HELPS ME!  I’ll thank you to cut me a little slack this time.

First, I affirmed that these would be concise notes.  When writing anything, I always have to remind myself to edit, edit, edit.

              Beginning, I jotted down three presently good specifics. Thought it would help to start on a positive note.

1. Summer has finally come (though up here, who knows for how long!)
2. Excluding the allergies (irritating but normal for the season), we’re in decent health
3. I have fun company visiting soon, and YES . . . company is good . . . this company anyway because it means . . . SHOPPING!

Okay, those are self-explanatory. Lets get to the crappola.  Next, I listed 3 big stresses.

1. The Blog
2. Money issues and/or retirement
3. A certain personal relationship in our lives

Yes, THE BLOG is still very troublesome.

Traffic and interest are very inconsistent, which I almost dread saying for fear I may get even more of those “Pitch emails or supposed new followers who say  “I/We can make your blog wonderful . . . for just a few hundred dollars or so”.

I KNOW

I need assistance, but am very picky about where to find it, and also very self-critical that I can’t do everything myself.  It still isn’t quite the look I’m going for.  I’m not particularly thrilled with some of my posts.   And although I’m venturing to more outlet exposure, most of the Social Media Tools are frightening to me!

I AM VERY REALISTIC

in knowing that odds are slim of making any measurable amount of monies from the blog.  But I was hoping for a little mad money or occasionally enough for a minimum household payment or two.

That leads us to the other money issues . . . which are MORE than just a bit scary, especially when full retirement is looming. Once we decide what things we can create and sell when Hubs retires, we should be okay but It will be a penny-pinching ride all the way,

Last, the personal issue.  Don’t worry, Hubs and I are fine; just celebrated 29 years of marriage and nearly 31 years together . . . and NO . . .

. . . this IS NOT our wedding picture!

Source: THE GRAPHICS FAIRY

The stress is another relationship that has changed drastically for us in the past few years and seems headed for a complete breakdown.  Something once loving, caring and sharing, has become discounted with limited contact, little sharing or inclusion and too often, rudeness with no consideration or caring shown us.  We’re told we are at fault, yet NOT told the why or what of the matters.

So there you have it.  I’m STRESSING . . . a lot, and I always tell you NOT TO STRESS.

WHAT DO YOU DO

in stressful situations?  How do you approach the problems?  There aren’t any magic solve-all formulas for any of us.  Just curious to know what helps others.

My list did help.  The physical writing then reading, helped me – shall we say- get a grip on things.

1. Considering positives first allowed me to calm down, take a few healthy deep breaths, and reach a more reasonable demeanor.  Stress just tends to freak us out doesn’t it?! Who can function like that?
2. I was reminded to be appreciative of good things in my life, of which there are many.
3. Reviewing main stress factors assisted me in evaluating and devising helpful alternatives.  We can’t just have a nervous breakdown .. . seriously.

For all of us, it’s a very personal journey.  We are the prime players in our lives, and so must be the primaries in how to handle the problems in those lives.

WOULD YOU AGREE

that there is no such condition as a stress-less life?  That said we do have choices.  Perhaps I should say we can give ourselves choices.

I chose to stay with the blog . . . and what do you know. A few nice “someones” came along with some helpful advice and encouragement.

And instead of brooding, Hubs and I have been scouring Pinterest and our own project notebooks and compiling a nice list (yah, yah . . . another list) of cost effective items that would be sale worthy in our direct area, and others that would have a broader, more urban appeal in the cities.

The more personal area is a toughie.  No one can control someone else’s behaviors, especially if communications aren’t welcomed.  But we can lean on others who do care, and try to toughen up when people get hurtful.  We can let them know we continue to care about them and will be as supportive as possible.

BUT (and that’s a BIG ONE HERE)  if/when people become abusive . . . and YES, verbal and/or emotional abuse count … I’ve learned to not allow it and remove myself from the situation  IMMEDIATELY.  Many wise people have shown me that over time.

Thanks so much for visiting.  Hey, let’s talk more about this stress stuff.  Leave a note.

As always, don’t stress too much . . . just start something!   Geez, did I really just say that!

Later – Cheryl

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