money, money, money

well actually,

LACK of money, money, money.

not very original, I'm afraid, but true.

Sweet thoughts,
Ana

I've had stress overload for so long that I nearly hit my breaking point recently. There are, of course, a litany of reasons that my stress hit this crisis point.

I thought I'd share what I'm doing *about it*, my baby steps...

I've been prescribed an anti-depressant for (what had become) pervasive anxiety; I'm doing another course of EMDR for my PTSD symptoms. I've found that in the last 10days the combination has alleviated most of my daily anxiety.

With anxiety out of the way, I'm hoping that other healthy lifestyle choices will shift the depression that has settled over me from the cumulative effect of all my short and long term stress.

I'm trying to make decisions every day that reduce the stress I feel. I know I can't instantly change the external stressors that impact me, but I can change how my body and mind react to them.

I am aiming, every single day, to sleep for 8hours. That means going to bed ridiculously early (9pm) because I know it takes me at least 1-2hours to fall asleep. For me, it also means not logging on to my computer after 8pm because it "jigs me up", not watching television (computer) in bed, not eating after 7pm, only drinking water after dinner, turning off my phone at night... These are all hard habits to break, but I see results when I do break them.

Now that the snow has melted and the daylight has increased, I am consciously increasing the amount of time I spend walking my dog every day. We're up to a 45min walk in the afternoon/evening; as well as our quickie 15min walks first thing in the morning and last thing at night. My aim is to always give him an hour walk in the afternoon and then to add additional exercise that is just for me (pilates, yoga, and eventually starting to run again).

The combination of the medication, sleep and the slowly increasing exercise are starting to help me build a new routine - in to which I can continue to navigate the daily stress of managing too little money, searching for a decent FT job (instead of juggling freelance and PT work), planning and cooking nutritious low cost meals and keeping a tidy house.

And ultimately I aim to *like my life* again, even with the stress.

Is this the bitch forum? lol

I busted my ass launching new projects. For two months I planned on summer help, a few good friends that said they'd come for 6 months and work for me. I would give them room and board, a stipend and the would learn some things they wanted to learn. Now its 3 fucking days before they are suppose to arrive and I get an email with some lame ass excuse. I hate excuses. If you had a change of heart just say so. Also if you're such a good friend why wait last minute knowing everything I have going on?

The hired helped I have been using, another queer, can't decide if she wants to work or not. I don't hear from her for days and then I get a text acting as if she's been waiting for me. lol it's a stupid game she plays and I'm beginning to realize she's just not that smart.

Let's see..... I'm stressed because of the happenings in the world. I was feeling great and then this Japan thing happens and I feel like I felt after 9-11. Uncertain, fearful and confused. I feel it all over my body. I try to live in the moment but my body won't let me. I can not allow this to defeat me.

I live in an area that has a lagoon, beach, forest, and park, and I tell you Folks, these mosquitoes are getting worse and worser the more the summer wears on. I can't spray too much of that repellant shit around, because my furkids and I really don't like it. Every time I think I killed them all in the house, more get in whenever I open the door for my furkids . Fuckin mosquitoes!

stress reliever...a home where you are safe and comfy
 

my stress is *somewhat* relieved by finding a home I love (and bought!)...I never realized how much having a HOME would alleviate some of my stress.

i was living like a vagabond uni student until this year (nothing wrong with that for some but, for me, was tired)

Someone whom I adore thanked me on this last post and it reminded me of this thread.

Another stress reliever I find is swimming...I am fortunate enough to have a pool in my building but, even when I didn't, I was loving a gym where there was a pool.

I am not some crazy swimmer, but a few laps does wonders for me.

I am very anxious and stressed.

Probably the holidays.

Need to check out indoor pool at my apartments, that does sound quite lovely.

Stress x 3
 

Life stress -- Post holiday burnout -- seriously, the freaking tree hasn't made it to the road yet. Tension at home w/ the SO -- still in a holding pattern there. Financial stress -- I have to take a week off without pay this quarter while trying to put money back for emergencies (like becoming homeless or jobless or both.) Work stress -- Not enough people to do write a schedule that gets the work done and a boss who doesn't care that the workload is drowning my staff.
...
Seriously. I need a good night out w/the girls w/some bad karaoke and good beer. *laughs*

BUMP, BUMP!!!

It's not really a big deal thing but I'm stressing about getting my cards for the holiday exchange in the mail. I'm at a standstill, and am never one to be good about "anxiously we sit and wait, sit and wait...".

[B]Hmmmm....the fire in San Diego County. Our condo, which we have just sunk many thousands of dollars in to get ready for sale, is located one road over from the voluntary evacuation fire area. This has been a fast moving fire and there is plenty of unoccupied space (ie brush) behind the complex.
Getting ready for our first snow storm. Most everything is done except the wood stacking for our outdoor furnace. Where's my Aleve?!
[/B

Screw the Aleve! You need a stiff drink and a deep tissue massage I'd say!

I have sooooo much going on right now that has me stressed! My anxiety was getting bad but I’ve been taking L-Theanine supplements and it has definitely helped calm me down. But I still stress eat and my poor feet can’t take all this weight.

Gosh, I hear you FSF!

USPS suspended delivery of mail to our community over a week ago, so I've not received any mail at all, since I went to the post office to see if anything was mailed to me. I had my doctor fax an disability hardship letter to them, they said they would cooperate in personally delivering my mail, but nothing has come yet. It's frustrating and stressful because I've gotten calls from particular people who mailed important documents I requested and I've not received them. So I have been very stressed out by the sudden imposition imposed on our community by mail box vandalism and the US Postal Sevice.

FSF no need to stress over getting a card to me! Life is short, enjoy!

Don't EVEN get me started on the United State Postal Service.........:annoyed:

Oh, my gosh, Katz! For them to make that decision, something pretty bad must have happened. I hope they get it all worked out for you soon.

I have my grievances as well, but it's petty stuff, like having to wait in line yesterday for over half an hour while 2 clerks worked their way through 10-12 people. One guy held up one clerk for most of that time just by himself! He came in with a ton of certified letters to process and that is very time consuming.

All in all, I can say that the post office closest to me is pretty awesome. They just had one lady retire so they are shorthanded at the busiest time of the year and one lady has needed carpel tunnel surgery for years now but she can never seem to get the time off necessary to get it done and heal properly. They are a good crew. I wish everyone had the kind of team that I have in my area.

Speaking of the post office, today is the last day to get a standard priority package out internationally by the holiday.

See, I'm sure that lady retiring didn't just all of a sudden spring it on them! They had notice no doubt, and more than ample time to hire and train someone!
If a CEO ran a company like the government runs the postal service, they'd be tossed out on their ear~

I sent a photo of the damaged mail boxes to my doctor after I learned from USPS, that they suspended service to our apt community.....unfortunately, the only person at my neighborhood post office who knew me personally? She delivered our mail on our route for over 30+ years. She was hired by USPS when she was in her early 20's. She retired this past July. She retired quietly I imagine because other postal employees at our neighborhood post office might have been challenging to work with. Also, just before I learned she was retiring, she told me that she was retiring before Republican agenda in Washington further erodes the US Postal service retirement pensions.

Homoe is correct! As far as I know, due to two personal friends who are USPS employees, individuals retiring in mass?? THE USPS is not expanding new hiring for full time employment or benefits, like retirees were given. So, I'm guessing that it's hard to find people who will work for peanuts, compared to rich pensions USPS retirees receive under grandfathered policy mandates.

In other related news :

I once posted in the book club forum thread about reading a book I found last winter at the nursing home, of all places. It's about the billionaire genius (and sexual predator ) King Larry.....Which is an documented account of how Larry made his fortune in mail and document delivery during the FAA and pre-USPS years were dominating the delivery and logistics market, long before UPS & FEDEX were on the scene . In fact, it's because of Larry challenging every FAA law on the books that opened up service to countries that USPS had difficulty in providing timely service.

I highly recommend reading this book. It's an tragic portrait of an person who worked around the clock and used drugs and women to mask his serious behavioral disorders. It also is an eye opening account of how people in government agencies will keep an lid on their own ability to subvert policy and law for their own personal gain (aka, the private sector ploy).


http://ejoiner.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8...4d6f970d-800wi

I do vaguely recall you posting about a book you found while re-habing so thanks for posting this again Miss Katz!
I am definitely getting this book ASAP!

You're welcome, Homoe!

I found it at the nursing home, read it in a couple of days, but I was fascinated by this story. I'm surprised it's not been banned yet. I feel this author should win an book award of some kind!

The book is an great read. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. :hangloose:

For the most part Mary, my housemate and BFF, is a pretty laid back person UNTIL we're expecting company!

Then her stress about a perfectly neat and tidy home stresses me out!

homoe's post
 

LOL!

You poor thing! I can relate. I was with a woman for almost a decade that was inclined in the same way. She would set my pants afire with the honey-do list! Heh Heh!

Best wishes to you!
:)