Learning how to ride the waves
So life has dealt me a few curveballs lately. And it's been making me stressed with a capital S. I have been trying to figure out what's wrong with the way I managed stress--at first, I thought i just needed to eliminate the things in my life that were causing me stress, but that's just not possible when you're dealing with teenagers entering high school, sick animals, missed deadlines, offended friends, exploding septic tanks and a broken washing machine. You can't just curl up in a hole (much as I might like too) nor can I become a monk living in a cave on a Himalayan mountaintop (much I might like that too assuming internet access LOL)
So here I am, trying my best to eliminate the stressors in my life, and finally coming to the realization THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE STRESS. Damn. So what's next? What can I do? Here are my initial conclusions:
1. Accept that life will be stressful at times. Even when you do your best to eliminate stressful aspects of your life, things will pop up when you least expect them.
2. Recognize that you cannot control everything. Try as you might to get every single duck in a row, people and events will interfere--emails won't be received, lines of communication will be crossed, septic tanks will explode unexpectedly.
3. When something happens that is stressful and unexpected, recognize first off that IT WILL MORE THAN LIKELY TURN OUT OKAY. Very few things in life are so awful that they're worth losing our emotional peace over. The problems might not get resolved as quickly as we might like; people might not consider our predicament as dire as we do and hence don't respond as quickly as we want them to; kids might forget to do their chores requiring reminding for the 25th time, and yes we might forget to pay a credit card on time because we swear we thought we had done it--it's okay. You're human, you make mistakes, and other people make mistakes too. And sometimes, sh*t just happens.
4. Learn to roll with it and ride that wave. DO what you can to resolve the situation and then LET IT GO. Learn to be peaceful in the midst of the sh*tstorm. Learn to breathe, gain perspective and recognize the absurdity of your little problem in the context of the entire world.
It's gonna be okay. Ride the wave.
Recent Comments
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L love your post image Hillary. Beautiful waves and the sound of ocean waves is a great cure for stress.
Very true. Been in the same boat. Not so much with stress but just with stuff that's keeping me from performing at my best and doing everything I need to and want to. Ugh.
anytime you want a listening ear please PM me--we can support each other when the going gets tough.
Great Article.
I have to deal with it like I had to deal with a patient when I was a Paramedic. Gain information, assess the situation, rule out and narrow down treatment, and fix to the best of your ability and accept the outcome. As regimented as it may sound. It works.
All the best,
Greg
Great post Hillary! Thanks for sharing.When there is stress, we have to find a way out otherwise life will be unbearable.
I love your post here. One thing I would like to add...there is no need to control anything (the stressor) just allow it to be.......life should be a flow not an obstacle to climb over.
that's an interesting take!! i am such a control freak that the idea of saying "you don't need to control anything" is pretty out thre for me LOL. But I am working on it. Baby Steps!!!
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I absolutely loved it. I have some much happening in my life - been struggling for the last 20 some years. You absolutely have a better attitude. My life has been a rollercoaster. I have not stopped trying to set new goals and finding new solutions. That's when I stumbled upon WA. Thank you for the inspiration. I needed that thank you Carrie
I am glad we found each other! PM me anytime you need a supportive word :)