The Future Freaks Me Out!

Hahaha I love that song by Motion City Soundtrack...The Future Freaks Me Out. Its just kinda catchy. Anyway...

Life has been really wack these past few weeks. I love it. My life...well its pretty gnarly. Not Going to LIE! Things are so unpredictable that I can almost never make long term plans haha. I was going to trip it to Maryland sooner than later but family stuff has kept me here. Plus I have had my own things to work out before I leave but that all together is keeping me here it seems until August. Im pretty ok with that though. Only one more month, plus I can have a lone star state fourth of july celebration!! :)

Things are great! They are hard but I am learning something new about myself almost everyday...mostly that patience might be something I have but can you ever really be too patient? I don't know about that. But something I was thinking about the other day is that all my life I have thought of myself as kind of a worrier. But since deciding that wouldn't be a part of my life anymore and all that stress needed to be relieved...I have found ways to help myself relax when I find that I am worrying more than is helpful for others and myself. I would just like to share a few, just in case all my years of struggle and continual learning and struggle will help you or someone you know! I believe in sharing tidbits of wisdom.

STRESS RELIEVERS
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1) at night, when I get most worried, alone with my thoughts, I light candles close my eyes and listen to good, peaceful music for about an hour to just release whatever tension and bad energy there is in my body (add smiling and it works even better)

2) Then after that I read a good book and write in my journal. Reading is a good transition from releasing toxic feelings and stuff to being able to write about my day or week. The Transition is good for me because if I start writing right after I listen to music then sometimes all the negativity and worry just floods back. So reading allows me to learn and be involved.

3) Writing in a journal or whatever you want to call it, is very therapeutic. Many people just write in it when they are angry or upset or really happy. I like to write in mine fairly often. It just helps me see where my true thinking is. Granted sometimes a rant gets in there but as of late I have made a good effort to release the negativity so that I have a good perspective in my journal. Who wants to look back and say hey man this lady was really messed up, always worrying and upset about some boy...hahaha. So I do mention some upsetting things but since im not upset at them at the point i write I can figure out solutions..much more interesting to read later.

4) I also really really like to take showers and baths. Its probably really inefficient and water wasting but I like to to plug up the bath tub and let the water just fall on me like rain from the shower head. The rain has as long as I can remember had a cleansing and detoxifying effect on me. It just makes me a happier person hehe :) So just find something like that you can recreate.

5) Talking to a good friend. I really like that because I have go to people. haha. People I know who will always make me feel better. I don't have to explain anything, just call and talk to them, and something in their voice, about our relationship, just soothes me mind body and soul. I heard the other day that "Trust is a much more sacred and wonderful gift than Love". That is so true.

6) Going on a walk. Walking and general exercise is good. When I walk to relieve stress...I walk really slow. Haha! When I walk I just try to absorb all of the positive things going on around me. Sometimes its not even about that, its just to realize my place in the world so I purposely try to soak up everything. Walk barefoot, let your body feel the earth, the different textures...it feels great!

7) I drink tea. Herbal tea just makes me feel whole. Not sure why it has that effect but the hot water is really good for your digestive system and depending on the tea it may have different healing properties. My favorites are Ginger, Peppermint, Chamomile, Spearmint, Spice, and when I am feeling edgy Chai (almost never drink Chai now that I am trying to be a bit more healthy)

8) Find something to do to be creative. Create. Creation is something we crave. We as human beings desire to make things and be proud of them. Kids have it right! We should all color or draw or paint or play something. Those are things that keep us in touch with out humanity. Don't forget that part of you.

9) Hug someone! NO. REALLY HUG SOMEONE! Really just let yourself hug someone and let their good energy help you. That sounds weird but seriously. Really hugging someone can be as rejuvenating as cuddling. Cuddling feels good because you are really connected to the other person and words are not necessary to convey how much you matter to them. A hug can be just as good if you let it.

10) Hug and love yourself. I love this one, but it is also often the hardest for me to do. What I do is just stop myself when I find I am blaming myself or feeling bad that I can't do something...and I just say Abby you are loveable. Yep its like talking to yourself and much more effective when said aloud I find. Who says you can't love yourself? You should. Remember! We should love all others as we love ourselves. If you find that you are giving a lot of yourself for the service of others don't forget you. I do that a lot. Forget myself. So when it happens just take a break and give yourself a pep talk. Reassure yourself you can! Remind yourself you are worth it! Think of all of the qualities you have that you are grateful for that will help you get through life. This works... I promise!

11) Play with animals or kids. Enough said :) BABIES!!! PUPPIES!!! :)

12) Write a letter. Even if its to yourself in a few days, just write a letter. Afterwards you feel you have created something, tried to be positive (because who says "Wow my life is falling apart! I want a divorce because he colored my white clothes! I feel so broken hearted I could die!" for example, in a letter to a friend ?) When I write letters to people I might mention that things aren't perfect but I almost never want to go into the kind of detail I do when I am only writing for myself aka journal. Most people are like me in that way I think. haha. cool. So by the end you will have to see that maybe your life isn't so bad after all?? there are good things.

13) I also really like to go to a concert, or go dancing, or do something with people to get my mind off whatever it is i am stressed about for a little while. It helps for a bit to just not think about it or have to deal with whatever it is.

Well those are some of the things I try and of course there are many many other things you can try. But thats what works for me. And thank goodness I know what works. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Good luck in your life and your pursuits! May you and I continually be learning,

Patience