Are You a Stressed Out Writer?
A 2004 Gallup poll revealed that half of all Americans are pressed for time and stressed out. Ever feel like that? Me too! Somehow, despite my best intentions, I often find myself overscheduled, strapped for time and therefore, stressed about how I'll get everything done.Add to that cranky clients and the hassles of everyday life and well, things can start to feel pretty overwhelming.
A constant overachiever, I decided last year that I would cease all double-booking. This has been amazing for me. Only one social activity a day - no more. Instead of having happy hour with my sister and visiting a friend's poetry reading - I only choose one activity. But, lately, I've forgotten my rule. I'm having lunch and dinner with friends and then going to a book reading. I'm out at appointments all day doing interviews and then have a social gathering to attend.
The result?
A stressed out, low on sleep, irritable Heather.
Not a good thing, let me tell you.
And so that's why this weekend, I did nothing - or at least only activities I love. Unsure of what "nothing" looks like - check it some of my suggestions:
-No makeup all weekend (poor boyfriend!).
-Comfortable sweatshirts and a ponytail.
-Do only what you LOVE. For me this meant, baking, cooking, organizing my filing cabinets and closet and putting up my Christmas decorations.
-Sleep. I slept 8 hours each night, in my favorite comfy sweatshirt. Take that!
-Watch perfectly fabulous movies. I watched 3 movies in a row. And only watched movies - I didn't even knit - no multi-tasking allowed!I NEVER do this.
-Laugh.
-Put together a puzzle.
-Nap.
-Pet the cat.
-Eat wonderfully yummy food (wheat-free cookies and gluten-free spinach pizza baby!).
-Read books you adore.
All in all, my 2-day weekend felt like a 5-day vacation. For some reason, without multi-tasking, my days were longer, more fun and more fulfilling. I could get used to this doing nothing thing...
So - what do you do when you're doing "nothing" (i.e. not working)?
Do tell!
xoHeather :)
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posted by HStrang @ 6:31 PM
3 Comments:
Great post, Heather! Hmm... I love to gobble up new books, watch the Food Network channel *giggles* and bake... banana bread, white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies,
Oh, by the way I gave you some link love over at my blog ;-)
Smiles,
Michele
Heather, congrats on your nomination to the Top 10 Blogs for Writers!
Kristen
www.inkthinkerblog.com
It's great to take a break from time to time, to kick back and relax. It's amazing how stressful simply living can be let alone the added pressures of actually having a life. *chuckles*
On my days off I tend to let someone else cook (or get takeaway) read, watch my favorite movies (or new ones), read some more, laze about in bed, refuse to get dressed, have an extra hot shower, drinks lots of tea or juice, and snuggle under the blankets with me kids, dog and cat. Life can't get much better than that.
Of course, if I can't have a day where I do what I want then it'll get spent taking the kids out and about (park, movies, shopping, duck pond, playground, special event, zoo). It is incredibly exhausting (like insomnia during a 70 hour work week) but the smiles and joy in their faces make the nightmare recede just enough to truly enjoy life.
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