This blog may not end up being a blog about self-help, but more an exploration of stress in myself.
I've been thinking about stress, anxiety and worry a lot these past couple of weeks. I've been feeling stressed because of wanting so badly to do well at a new job, where there is a high learning curve. This is getting better, but I am still in my 'must conquer' mode, where I am doing everything I can to learn as quickly as I can. This is causing me stress, but it's stress I'm putting on myself--and, to be fair, stress I'm glad to have.
I've been stressed about finances and my inter-personal relationships, stressed about the holidays coming up, and trying to figure out how to buy nice things for people very inexpensively. I've been worried about my best friend and how she's doing, and my other friends that I haven't talked to in a while. I am stressed because I need to reach out to people in my life, and keep in better contact with those friendships and family relationships I have, but haven't yet.
I feel the stress in my shoulders, neck and head. I read this article about how stress affects the body, and I feel like I need to learn how to lower my stress without compromising any parts of my life that I need and care about.
I've been getting a bit more exercise, taking long baths, and took half a day yesterday just to read a funny book. All of this stuff helps a bit, but the problem isn't how to put a band-aid on stress, it's about how to manage it better.
The article talks about the three reactions we have to stress - fight/flight/ or Surrender/Submit. I do all of these things, and would like to understand how not to. No matter how much I read about it, it still never seems like I'm actually accomplishing my end goal, which is simply, to take things in stride and not worry so much.
I love to laugh, and laughter is a great easer of stress. But not every situation is a time that can be turned into humor. I have only recently been letting my own inner humor come out to the surface to be shared with others, and some attempts have been very successful, while others haven't.
I've been hesitating writing this blog, because I know that I am judged by what I write, which adds more stress to something that was just supposed to be a way to help others in a way that was non-intrusive. I believe that if something that you do 'for fun' adds unwelcome stress to your life, that maybe it's time to stop doing it. I am thinking about ending this blog for these reasons, but I don't know yet.
I love to write, and I want very much to help others... and if I'm able to share my experiences and thoughts and it helps someone else, than I am happy to keep doing this. It's important to me to add value to the world, in the small ways that I am able.
This week, for me, will be an exploration into stress and anxiety. What my triggers are, and what I can do to ease it.
Stress is a useful tool, in that the stress is supposed to lead you forward into accomplishing something you need to accomplish. It is supposed to leave once you accomplish your task. But what do you do when you accomplish one task, and there is another one immediately after that also requires immediate attention?
I don't believe that I am the only person who deals with stress or anxiety and is looking for a cure. If I learn anything from myself this week, I'll be sure to post it for all of you too. :)
All best,
Rose
