So – sorry to leave you with my “I am” post the other day – I was feeling very contemplative that day. Nothing was wrong, I was just sitting there with my thoughts and decided to post them!
I commented on a post the other day (actually, I think it more like a week or two ago – the days are melting together) on Kyla’s blog about “normal being boring” – I think I have a slightly misguided view on what is “normal”. Kyla responded to my comment about “normal” (for her) is having the chance to relax with a cup of tea and to channel her creativity (sorry, I am not quoting it exactly, I am going based on memory because I can’t access the email from work!).
So anyway, that got me thinking…I don’t “relax” well…those who know me, know that I am pretty high strung, VERY hyper and I like to worry about things…sometimes I make a big deal out of nothing just to have a chance to worry about it…that’s weird right??
I feel like normal, for me, means boring. It means doing absolutely nothing, because I don’t think I have ever felt “normal”. There is ALWAYS some crisis or drama in my family (WAY too much) and there is just always something that needs to be discussed or planned…or maybe there isn’t, maybe I just feel there is!
Just this morning I was emailing my BF complaining that I felt spread thin already this week…um, it’s TUESDAY ANNNND I have a long weekend coming up…
And REALLY – as far as my “To Do” list goes I have to: work on some homework, get an assignment or 2 done, work out at least 4 times within the next week, and clean my house.
Considering I have a WEEK to do this…I am FAIRLY certain that I can make it all work out…actually…I know this FOR SURE.
So this week (is it counterproductive to make goals to relax??? whatever) I plan on taking some “me” time…I am not sure if this will be to read a book, take more baths, make a card for someone special or work on my knitting…either way, it’s going to be something that I want to do and something that makes ME feel good doing it!
Oh yeah, I learned how to knit this weekend and am working on making a scarf/neck warmer because I loved Kyla’s neck warmers so much and figured, why buy one would you could win one *fingers crossed* or make one yourself! Yeah…the only problem is that knitting stresses me out a little too…I am still BRAND new at it and I have dropped a couple of stitches by accident and just had a couple of flaws and whatnot…those make me really sad and stress me out because it isn’t perfect…then my husband laughs at me because I have been knitting for what, 3 days now and I am complaining?? I think he is right…
So what do you do to relax??? Give me some suggestions of what work for you and maybe I will try them myself!!
14 Comments
February 9, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I like to lay in bed with a cup of tea and watch t.v, read a book or do my nails…I LOVE being in bed and it’s such a relaxing place for me.
I think that’s a result of living with roommates for nearly 10 years now!!!! My bedroom is MY domain and that’s where I’m most comfortable.
February 9, 2010 at 9:21 pm
“normal” is different for everyone, I think. There is no mainstream normal… actually it’s one of my pet peeves about shampoo and conditioner, you have the ones for “problem hair” and then “normal”… “normal” for me is the kind for dry hair, my hair is “normal”ly dry Anyway.. lol
Relaxing for me is spending time with Hubby and our dog just hanging out and knowing that I don’t have anything scheduled, just do whatever we want whenever we want for that hour, afternoon or day…
February 9, 2010 at 9:28 pm
people like you, in my “real life”, stress me out and require me to step away. (sorry that sounds harsh, I still luv ya!) People with drama in their lives. can’t stand it. There is really no real drama in anyone’s life I think. (drama, a form of plays/movies right? make believe???) I know I’m sort of lonely on this idea, most people have some kinda of family “drama” or something. But to me, there’s so rarely anything worth stressing about or getting worked up for. It doesn’t help the situation. Honestly, I’m thinking of my “real life” and any friends I’ve got that do the whole drama thing, are the friends I complain about and avoid sometimes.
I don’t think I understand your “normal” thing. If you’re usually in a state of drama, then that’s your normal isn’t it?
Oh, and just because I don’t have drama, doesn’t mean I’m always relaxed. I’m not stressed out, but I do usually have a big to do list and activities and projects planned.
February 9, 2010 at 9:30 pm
OMG that sounded so mean. Didn’t mean it to be like that. I guess I was only saying that I am completely your opposite! (opposite’s attract right?)
February 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I like to get all my stuff done in one swoop – and take the rest of the day to do whatever I feel like. If I have things to do that day, I can’t relax until I am done them all.
February 9, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Reading is a big time relaxer for me! Or vegging out and watching some Food Network or HGTV. Grocery shopping can be relaxing, but sometimes things out of my control make it hectic instead!
February 9, 2010 at 10:55 pm
First of all – I don’t think it sounded mean at all!! You are right that opposites attract!
I agree with the drama thing…and I don’t know if I defined “drama” well – I think that a lot of people CREATE drama…like cause things to happen to have an uproar or whatever.
And the funniest part of it all, is that the drama in my life isn’t created by me. I have a really stable relationship with my husband, some really great friends and I don’t like to have confrontations or conflict…BUT I always seem to get sucked into other people’s drama and let it affect me…my sister’s divorce took a HUGE toll on me this past year until I removed myself from the middle of it (it was hard for their baby’s sake, but I had to get out of it)…but yeah, drama seems to find me and I wish I could hide from it.
And you are absolutely right – that IS my “normal” and I rarely think of it like that, I think of it as abnormal when really, it IS normal (for me).
Even if that IS my normal, I still need to chill out a little bit more!!!
BTW, how are you feeling????
February 9, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Who wants to be normal?
February 10, 2010 at 12:57 am
I disappear… it’s so weird I blogged about it today. Sometimes I just withdraw from my everyday and just be what I want at that moment…
February 10, 2010 at 1:19 am
I knit. It soothes me. I get sort of in a groove.
As for normal, sometimes I just want my old normal boring life back.
February 10, 2010 at 1:40 am
Honestly, I SUCK at relaxing. It takes me a few days to get into it, like when I go home I will start to relax after being there for a day or two. But I swear I am just too high-strung and have too much on-the-go to relax. I always feel like I need to be DOING something and being productive!!!
Reading and taking hot baths helps sometimes, though!
February 10, 2010 at 1:57 am
I’m like Tash – I try to get as much done as possible then I can relax. Saturdays we are out training until 10:30 or so, get home and tackle the housework and then I feel like I can chill – I read, bake or do the movie/tv thing.
February 10, 2010 at 2:00 am
Hmmm, I’m pretty high strung, too. But to relax, I like to go swimming, read, take naps, cuddle my kitties, watch a movie…something easy and soothing.
February 12, 2010 at 8:27 pm
I take two LIFE brand “herbal nerve” pills. No I am not joking – I am genetically predisposed to worry about everything!