Some days are difficult... particularly when you have to wait and you don't want to wait any longer. Living life in what seems to be an eternal pause is hard. Sometimes I end up with tears in my eyes without really knowing why, at the most random moments. When that happens I try to look around and recognize all the good things that surround us. Oh, and I finally convinced the boy to get us a milk jug and sugar bowl. (Michelle agrees with me that you can never have too many, yet we didn't have any). Surprises in the mailbox always cheer me up, so thanks Jo and Zarawitta. I will be writing some letters soon, I might have gotten supplies, fancy papershops are a real source of happiness. Aside from tea, reading, enjoying the sunshine when it's there, cooking... how do you cope with anxiety?
We've had a lot of issues lately as well, and it's hard. Especially when friends aren't dealing with anything similar, so they can't relate! Cooking helps, as does watching TV shows... lately I've been into Homeland a lot.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you have been having issues. I send you all the best wishes and hope things settle. Homeland is quite intriguing, we started watching but I don't know why we stopped, maybe we watched until the end of the last season... I can't remember.
DeleteAlternate nostril breathing, meditation and yoga. I also find painting mandalas very, very, very relaxing. Crafting, too, especially card making, which I find very meditative (it brings my mind to a halt, which is a great relief for a naturally walking brain like me). I also stopped watching the news or anything that brings me down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the tips, I will look into the breathing stuff. And I will be writing some letters today... maybe will try to make some cards.
DeleteHonestly, since the warmth has arrived here, I've been feeling much better! We have a lot of fun stuff coming up too: My folks are coming next week, and we have 2 trips planned this Summer. So, being busy and having fun stuff to look forward to has helped a lot! And being warm :) I've found that my energy has been up, and my productivity! Keeping the home clean keeps the anxiety down as well.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear you have been feeling better. Warmer days really do make the whole difference. And Summer trips :)
DeleteI'm sending all the good thoughts your way!
When life gets hard, I think remembering the good stuff is a great way to cheer us up. That said, being sad is ok. You've got a lot going on at the moment and I'd be surprised if it didn't get to you sometimes.
ReplyDelete<3 Thanks.... I guess it's all about striving for balance, and I guess some anxiety moments / days are normal.
DeleteKnitting helps me. My mind is too busy for meditation but if my hands are busy, my mind can relax. When my son was born though, I realized my life had been on pause for two years. And now, of course, I'm so desperate for the very things I threw away. Sigh. it couldn't have gone any other way. I needed to hibernate. But I look forward to coming back to life as he grows more independent. I want a life outside our family too !
ReplyDeleteI really want to learn to knit. I have to do it one of these days. I think as your baby grows you will find your place again, it is already good that you feel so alive again. Phases I guess? Like you said, if you needed calm, if your body was demanding it, it's better to have gone with that.
DeleteLiving life in an eternal pause is really hard. We were in a two year limbo waiting to figure out what was next, never really investing in what was now. I am really glad that time period is over, even though we seemed to "settle" a bit (we bought a house in a city that doesn't feed my soul the way other places have). Sometimes you just got a make a decision and be done with it, you know?
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm feeling down or anxious, I try really hard to take care of myself, which for me means: eating well (healthy food), sleeping enough (and well), and exercising every day. When I've done those three things, I can usually keep a handle on my anxiety -- or more likely in my case, the edges of depression.
Doing well at work, socializing with friends, and planning a vacation to look forward to are bonuses that also help.
Thanks. Mark keeps saying exercise would be really good for me to let the energy out... I just really have to push myself to start.
DeleteI am glad you are in a better place and that the limbo phase is over... and yes, sometimes making decisions help. (And vacations :) and friends!)
I can't say that I have a very good method for dealing with anxiety, other than the ones you've already mentioned. Although, sometimes keeping myself busy with a project that has nothing to do with what is worrying me at the time really helps, especially if it's a hands-on project (like assembling furniture or spackling holes in the wall).
ReplyDeleteSpackling holes in the wall sounds quite refreshing :) And definitely, distractions...
DeleteBaking definitely helps me a lot! Hot showers, watching TV that doesn't require much thinking, or talking things through with one of my best friends also helps. I have to say that I'm much better at dealing with anxiety now than a year ago! I think it's a learning process and I still find myself crying and being sad for no reason...
ReplyDeleteOh yes, baking!!!
DeleteAnd I guess those moments are part of life too, they never fully go, but how we handle them, or knowing what is good for us makes all the difference. Thanks for the tips!
I actually feel like this right now, like I'm stuck and I'm not moving forward. I hope you're feeling better soon. Reading makes me feel better and being at home in the garden with my dogs.
ReplyDelete& is today your birthday? (that's what it says on the #postcircle email) if so Happy Birthday! Hope you have a lovely day. I was meant to pop something in the mail but haven't the time, so hopefully next week.
Hannah
xx
Oh, I hope you feel un-stuck soon. Maybe write the things you dream / want down and then try to break them into little steps that you can achieve daily, weekly or monthly?
DeleteAnimals can really help calm one down... I think we'll get a cat one of this days.
And yes, it was my birthday yesterday! Thanks :) And don't worry... I got some paper this week and I will be sending letters some time soon too (Sorry for the delay).
(And I am feeling better, it was mostly a hard moment a bit, getting in self-reflection mode and freaking out... and well sometimes you just have to let go and go with the flow).
Querida Amanda,
ReplyDeleteQué bien que te guste Klee. A Itzel y a mí nos ha encantado la exposición sobre él en la Fundación Juan March. Toda una experiencia recorrer sus caminos de colores y dejarse envolver por su juego de luces. Para la ansiedad, últimamente le he tomado un gusto especial a los collages. Aunque también me gusta mucho algo simple, como organizar y ver fotografías... jugar con ellas.
Sonríe.
Un fuerte abrazo,
Carlos
Hola Carlos,
DeleteMil gracias por el tip :) Los collages (bueno, los scrapbooks, con mapas y recortes) son algo que me gustaba hacer... tal vez es buen momento para retomar la caja de los recuerdos.
Klee es un mundo de color y geometría :) que bueno que pudieron ir a la exposición!
Un abrazo!
Going to yoga regularly has helped a lot, but as you know, I am still full of anxiety. I mostly just try to keep my mind busy - reading, knitting, watching tv. Much love and hope coming your way xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. Love and best wishes your way too. (And I really ought to try yoga too I have just tried some meditations at home).
DeleteI think...taking moments like you did to recognize the small positives is a great exercise in mindfulness. And how do i deal with anxiety? Honestly, the answer used to be - wine! Don't have that anymore. I think I distract myself, rely on family, or escape for day trips.
ReplyDeleteOh day trips :)
DeleteRecognizing the little good things is really helpful. I hope you are well!
Cooking for other people helps, often. When I'm anxious I don't usually feel up to eating much but other people's reactions are a great pick me up. Also snuggles - with my husband, my dog, or a friend can be great.
ReplyDeleteWhen it gets to be crazy amounts of being upset or anxious I'll sometimes give myself a day to be upset. Whether that means staying in bed and crying, or eating a whole tub or ice cream, or just being mopey and whiny having that time period where it's ok to be down in the dumps can help. It's not something I like to do often (like, once every couple of years) but some days you just need to get the grumps out and wake up to a new day
Yes, definitely cooking for people is something that brings a lot of joy.
DeleteAnd you are so right, about just allowing to feel the feelings, letting it all out and then moving on. Thanks.
I've been doing a LOT of yoga lately. And cooking. We're very well fed! But oof, the uncertainty is hard. All the very best wishes to you. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much :) I really have to get into yoga. Cooking definitely helps.
DeleteThinking of you every day!! I wish we lived closer because even though we only saw you a few days kamel and I talk about missing you! <3 Sending all my good thoughts your way in the coming weeks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much... it means a lot, I do believe good thoughts help :) . We would love to live closer to you too, I keep showing Mark your photo updates and telling him look, they did this, the did that <3.
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