Taking a Step Towards Relaxation
Dear Readers,
It seems that I've decided to acknowledge a well-known tendency within myself that is due for some ... work, shall we say. I have always been intense. Whatever I do, I give myself to it wholeheartedly. This exhibits itself in obsessive behaviors. In and of itself, that isn't such a bad thing. After all, it's due to that attribute that I'm able to write novels, stay devoted to my husband and family, and stay interesting.
That said, I've also come to realize that my intensity lends itself to stress, even in the midst of doing something that should be innately relaxing, like reading books. As I've noted in earlier blogs, I had given up leisure reading for 10-12 years while homeschooling my children and being a stay-at-home mom. A couple years after sending my children off to public school and returning to work PT, my husband insisted I read "The DiVinci Code." I loved it. Afterwards, my daughter encouraged me to read the Harry Potter books, and I thoroughly enjoyed those as well. I particularly appreciated her writing style. About a year later (around last Oct, I think), I was back into reading fiction and what a transition it has been. I've been reading dozens of books each week.
Sounds like it should have been relaxing, but no. Not for me. Somehow I've made reading stressful. I enjoy it, yes. But stressful nonetheless. The same is true with my writing. I LOVE my stories (talking about the gods is one of my favorite hobbies), but I force myself to write even when I'm not in the mood. That isn't necessarily bad, but it's not good either. It's stressful. Same is true with weight-loss. I can't just enjoy the process of revising my eating and exercise habits, I have to obliverate them. Again, stressing myself over it. Stress, by the way, is one of the causes for weight gain.
So I've come to a solemn recognition. It's time to lighten up.
Now, the question becomes, how?
It seems that I've decided to acknowledge a well-known tendency within myself that is due for some ... work, shall we say. I have always been intense. Whatever I do, I give myself to it wholeheartedly. This exhibits itself in obsessive behaviors. In and of itself, that isn't such a bad thing. After all, it's due to that attribute that I'm able to write novels, stay devoted to my husband and family, and stay interesting.
That said, I've also come to realize that my intensity lends itself to stress, even in the midst of doing something that should be innately relaxing, like reading books. As I've noted in earlier blogs, I had given up leisure reading for 10-12 years while homeschooling my children and being a stay-at-home mom. A couple years after sending my children off to public school and returning to work PT, my husband insisted I read "The DiVinci Code." I loved it. Afterwards, my daughter encouraged me to read the Harry Potter books, and I thoroughly enjoyed those as well. I particularly appreciated her writing style. About a year later (around last Oct, I think), I was back into reading fiction and what a transition it has been. I've been reading dozens of books each week.
Sounds like it should have been relaxing, but no. Not for me. Somehow I've made reading stressful. I enjoy it, yes. But stressful nonetheless. The same is true with my writing. I LOVE my stories (talking about the gods is one of my favorite hobbies), but I force myself to write even when I'm not in the mood. That isn't necessarily bad, but it's not good either. It's stressful. Same is true with weight-loss. I can't just enjoy the process of revising my eating and exercise habits, I have to obliverate them. Again, stressing myself over it. Stress, by the way, is one of the causes for weight gain.
So I've come to a solemn recognition. It's time to lighten up.
Now, the question becomes, how?
posted by Marla | Monday, February 25, 2008
2 Comments:
Someone forgot how to stop and smell the roses! Is there anything you can do that you won't obsess over? Hmmmmm, if you find something, let me know!!!!!!!!!
You know me too well.
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