You reminded me that I have a list, Getting Unstuck, of small easy things to do when I sink into a mood and just can’t find a way to join the world. So I read the list, and chose something to do (taking care of my indoor plants) and put aside my mind numbing game of online solitaire, and my day opened up again. In other words, tool kits work!! Thank you for reminding me to use mine. I hope your stress tool kit works for you.
Hi Sarai! I love the idea of a stress tool kit. That sounds super helpful. In mine, I'd include going into the woods, reading for an hour, and cooking something new. It was SO tempting to add things that help me de-stress but are on my to-do list (dishes, cleaning) but I noticed what I was doing and stopped. May you take the time to follow your tool kit this week!
I would like to suggest adding pot candy and the Farrow & Ball paint deck to your kit 😂 For some reason, the beauty and possibilities of color and pattern (wallpaper, vintage textiles) help calm me and inspire new rabbit holes and hopeful thought directions.
This one resonated with me. Many years ago I came up with my toolkit for tough times. It’s evolved over the years but current go-to’s are my HeartMath Inner Balance meditation sessions, an anti-anxiety yoga routine, cortisol calm (it’s a supplement), and fresh air/grounding outside in the grass. Interesting that journaling was huge for me about 8-10 years ago, but I now prefer to leave myself voice memos instead. It’s faster and cheaper than a therapist :) I feel a different response to my own voice when I go back and listen to them vs reading my thoughts...Austin Kleon’s post about our three voices comes to mind...
I had the same thought about the self-control article - I felt like they focused so much on how folks with high self-control are negatively perceived by others, but for me, the biggest downside is what you point towards: perfectionism and harshness towards the self. And I do really wonder whether it's actually my inner tendencies towards perfectionism and self-criticism that create the "self-control", and not the other way around; either way, that's the piece of the equation I wanted to learn more about. Because just as "discipline" doesn't have to mean "punishment" (but so many people assume it does), it seems like "self-discipline" way too frequently is created through a very punishing attitude towards oneself, and I'm really curious what it could look like to have self-discipline, but in a "gentle discipline" sort of sense.
If anyone else has any criticisms of women, please leave a comment! (rubeville)
I am laughing so hard at this!
I love EVERYTHING you write, and I think I’ve been reading it all since you very first started your blogs. You really find clear pathways of thought with a beautifully gentle and concise manner. Thank you so much. I love your tulips on that beautiful small table with that print over it. I planted 1,000 tulips and daffodils in my garden this year (I went crazy) and I just love looking at them nonstop.
I think my anxiety shows itself very differently from yours, but I get so stuck in the murkiness of it, and I have often just gone outside and started sweeping. For some reason it really helps me, which makes me think someday I should try Tai Chi. Maybe the full body movement would help with anxiety? I am curious about it. I do think all of your ideas are so good, and I think the time allotment is very helpful/calming. 🌷
You reminded me that I have a list, Getting Unstuck, of small easy things to do when I sink into a mood and just can’t find a way to join the world. So I read the list, and chose something to do (taking care of my indoor plants) and put aside my mind numbing game of online solitaire, and my day opened up again. In other words, tool kits work!! Thank you for reminding me to use mine. I hope your stress tool kit works for you.
Hi Sarai! I love the idea of a stress tool kit. That sounds super helpful. In mine, I'd include going into the woods, reading for an hour, and cooking something new. It was SO tempting to add things that help me de-stress but are on my to-do list (dishes, cleaning) but I noticed what I was doing and stopped. May you take the time to follow your tool kit this week!
I love to work on a jigsaw puzzle for a while, it’s very relaxing to the brain.
I enjoy all of your posts. They always leave me with something to think about. Thanks for sharing your journey.
I would like to suggest adding pot candy and the Farrow & Ball paint deck to your kit 😂 For some reason, the beauty and possibilities of color and pattern (wallpaper, vintage textiles) help calm me and inspire new rabbit holes and hopeful thought directions.
This one resonated with me. Many years ago I came up with my toolkit for tough times. It’s evolved over the years but current go-to’s are my HeartMath Inner Balance meditation sessions, an anti-anxiety yoga routine, cortisol calm (it’s a supplement), and fresh air/grounding outside in the grass. Interesting that journaling was huge for me about 8-10 years ago, but I now prefer to leave myself voice memos instead. It’s faster and cheaper than a therapist :) I feel a different response to my own voice when I go back and listen to them vs reading my thoughts...Austin Kleon’s post about our three voices comes to mind...
Great post Sarai, thank you
I had the same thought about the self-control article - I felt like they focused so much on how folks with high self-control are negatively perceived by others, but for me, the biggest downside is what you point towards: perfectionism and harshness towards the self. And I do really wonder whether it's actually my inner tendencies towards perfectionism and self-criticism that create the "self-control", and not the other way around; either way, that's the piece of the equation I wanted to learn more about. Because just as "discipline" doesn't have to mean "punishment" (but so many people assume it does), it seems like "self-discipline" way too frequently is created through a very punishing attitude towards oneself, and I'm really curious what it could look like to have self-discipline, but in a "gentle discipline" sort of sense.
If anyone else has any criticisms of women, please leave a comment! (rubeville)
I am laughing so hard at this!
I love EVERYTHING you write, and I think I’ve been reading it all since you very first started your blogs. You really find clear pathways of thought with a beautifully gentle and concise manner. Thank you so much. I love your tulips on that beautiful small table with that print over it. I planted 1,000 tulips and daffodils in my garden this year (I went crazy) and I just love looking at them nonstop.
I think my anxiety shows itself very differently from yours, but I get so stuck in the murkiness of it, and I have often just gone outside and started sweeping. For some reason it really helps me, which makes me think someday I should try Tai Chi. Maybe the full body movement would help with anxiety? I am curious about it. I do think all of your ideas are so good, and I think the time allotment is very helpful/calming. 🌷
the link for the video on Kumihimo silk braiding takes me to a different site. I think the hyperlink is wrong.