Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The post crisis anxiety

One unfortunate "side effect" of constantly being in crisis....is your body gets used to CRISIS as the norm. 

I spend so much time putting out fires and juggling knives, that is just what I know.  It is how I roll, baby.  But in the rare times that things aren't in crisis mode....I don't know what to do.  And then anxiety sets in.

I am just waiting for crisis to happen again.  So I get jumpy.  I just KNOW something is about to fall apart.  And I gear myself up for it.  Like a tigress waiting to pounce.  I am in crouch position, tail wagging.  Waiting for the crisis to happen so I can leap into action.

But what happens when the crisis doesn't happen????  Part of my changes in real life is retraining my body to NOT be in crisis mode all the time.  Yes, crisis will happen, but the constant heightened state is just not healthy.

This week....I am just not stressed out.  I refuse to be.  There isn't anything to be stressed about.  Well, one thing, but payday is tomorrow...so that will be resolved.  But Thanksgiving foods are purchased.  Prep has begun.  No one is coming, so no major gala to put on.  I have a car that is great.  Sassy is on the mend.  Holiday gifts are around 80% purchased and are shipping. 

So I am spending some concentrated time, NOT STRESSING. 

G-man and I talked about our Yule plans, and he is totally on board.  And looking forward to it!  This will be new for our family, and it is long overdue.  It is part of the missing piece of Mysti.

Other than knowing that I will be hammered at work today (since I was out yesterday with sick Sassy), and I have the ever so confrontational PTA meeting tonight....my biggest stress (if you can even call it that), is that I need to clear another 20% of my DVR before Thursday because we have a free preview weekend of the premium channels and I like to record all the movies for the kids, and a few that I haven't seen.

This weekend will be holiday decorating, and I am just going to enjoy it!!!

10 comments:

  1. I am wishing you a stress free/less week. I think you made the right decision staying home. It will be nice to just enjoy something for once. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  2. LOL- we are clearing off our DVR as well! I know the "crisis" mode and it is very difficult to come off of it. If you figure it out, let me in on the secret, I feel my cortisol rising as I type!

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  3. I hope your week is less stressful and busy, you deserve it.

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  4. I can relate to the all-crisis mode. It feels more unnatural to be in a non-crisis situation than otherwise. But the way I look at it is with the old rollercoaster analogy. You will have some wild up and downs. Those are the ones your body is left panicking because it can't adjust as quickly. But also, there are some times when there are no wild turns or up and downs. It still wont be an all time low or an all time high, but it's an average.

    Glad to hear your days are getting easier and less stressful (if only in mind!). Have a great relaxing Thanksgiving.

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  5. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I don't know anyone who deserves it more. I pray that it will be as stress free as possible.

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  6. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop too.
    Someday I would like to take a class to learn how to meditate or do yoga. I hear it helps.
    Even when things are "fine" I'm always up on my haunches with my tail flicking back and forth!

    Enjoy your weekend !

    Last year I put a stop to the "Obligitory Christmas Function" I decided that I am old enough that I don't have to paste a fake smile on and be with people that don't have the time of day for us 364 days of the year.
    We had the Christmas meal we wanted, went to the church I wanted, opened gifts when we wanted to. It was wonderful! This year we are doing the same thing and having the in-laws join on Christmas day. Making our own traditions is how it is going to be from now on!!

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  7. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mysti, and enjoy the calm. You deserve it!

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  8. Have a great holiday weekend. And decorate to your heart content!

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  9. I know what you mean about how your body becomes used to reacting to stress. I had a very aggressive student with autism for several years and my body was trained to jump out of my chair whenever I heard her make a move. Now, several years later, I still get jumpy when I hear a door slam or a chair scrape the floor.

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  10. I too have a difficult time not being in crisis mode, but as the kids leave it gets easier.

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