Cupcakes and Cashmere

Paper Thoughts

January 31st, 2012

{Seagull footsteps in the sand}

On Sunday night, I was feeling overwhelmed – about my busy week, upcoming speaking engagements (here and here), and a few unfinished details about the wedding. As I was getting ready for bed, I brought back one of the most helpful tricks I learned while writing my thesis in college. I pulled out a notepad and started writing down all of the things that were on my mind that were either small (finalize hotel reservations for Austin during SXSW) or large (finish editorial calendar for the next three months).

While seeing it all on paper was pretty nerve wracking (especially when my list topped off at six pages), it allowed me to refocus my energy, relax, and most importantly, to gain some perspective. My schedule is undeniably packed, but my list of worries is seemingly insignificant in comparison to larger things like my relationships, the health of my loved ones, and my overall happiness.

Do you have any tricks for tackling anxiety?

http://www.whatyoufancy.co.uk el {what you fancy}
Bubble bath + celeb magazine + glass of red wine + hug from my fiancé = works every time
~el
http://www.whatyoufancy.co.uk
Allison
I do exactly that – Make a list!!!! Especially helped around finals time during college, and now when I get extra busy at work.
Maggie
Immediate stress reliever? Jumping up and down anywhere from a couple seconds to a full on minute and taking a deep breath afterwards. Yes working out is great, but when the stress hits, I usually don’t have time for a long workout or a shower afterwards. This helps me feel more energetic and at peace because I feel like I’m getting out all that anxiety stored up in my body.
http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/ Rachel (heart of light)
The massive list is the only way to go. I hope you put a few easy things on there so that you can check them off quickly and get some momentum! Looking forward to seeing you. xoxo
Divya
I am so excited to finally get to hear you speak! I moved from Philadelphia to Dallas a few months ago, and I’m going to make the trip to Austin to come to the SXSW conference. Looking forward to hearing your awesome tips about blogging and running your business. When you get stressed, think about all your fans and supporters all over the world. We are rooting for you.
http://rubee-rubee.blogspot.com/ Rubee
I always write lists. I wrote a crazily long one on Saturday. I have a very busy work schedule at the moment and like you I have a wedding to plan (2 months to go!). It’s so satisfying crossing even the smallest thing off the list, but I always have more to add to it! I always have a list book on the go! x
http://www.limatrending.com Irene
I pick up my Ipod and run, run as fast as I can.
http://www.limatrending.com
http://prettyandpennyless.blog.com Chelsea
I’m one of those people who freaks about Everything, so what I do is take about 6 deep breaths and just tell myself you can do it, don’t freak out anything helpful that has to do with the situation. Sometimes the best advice is the advice you give yourself!
http://a-pretty-nest.blogspot.com/ Marie-Eve @aprettynest
When I feel overwhelm, I stop everything and plan. I get a calendar and put deadlines on things and schedule time to achieve each task. Then I take an hour to go exercice to let things sit a little, I go back to work and tackle one task at a time. I’m a lawyer so my agenda changes a lot and I get so stressed out, it’s how I manage the never ending list of to do’s.
Caitlyn
My relationship with Jesus Christ. His word tells us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7 I think on this passage often. Because He created us, he knows everything about us and that we are prone to worry. Especially as women, we are prone to be anxious but He doesn’t want us to stay that way, rather, to lift our requests to Him, casting all our cares on Him because He cares for us. We can be at peace with God but only by coming to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8; John 14:23-27
http://www.stefaniegrace.com Stefanie Grace
The list idea is a classic. I’m about to write mine before I go to bed because I don’t want to be listing them all in my mind over and over again. I find it also helps if I just stay up an hour and just do some of the little things. It makes the list feel like its doable! x
jara elizabeth
something that helps me relieve stress is thinking about how great i will feel after i complete all the tasks i have to do. reminding myself of the satisfaction of completion the tasks at hand helps me get through them. the outcome is so relaxing, isn’t it? <3
Nikki
If you need suggestions for things to do in Austin let us know! It’s a great city with lots of great food and things to do!
http://theeggoutwest.blogspot.com/ meag
yoga. period.
xoxo the egg out west.
http://www.lexandlearn.com/ Alexis Ann Anderson
Yoga and lists. Lists and yoga. They go hand in hand for me these days when it comes to tackling normal anxiety and the dreaded “Sunday Anxiety disorder” I suffer from.
http://Fassuccesshion.blogspot.com Mecca
That same tactic works for me. I will be in attendance at the IFB conference, and am very excited to hear what you will be sharing. Thanks in advance.
Love Always,
Mecca James- Williams
http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/ Kathryn
I love this tip- I do it all the time!
xoxo Kathryn
http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/
Molly
great post – i do the same thing. whats your masters/thesis on? id love to hear more about it!
Sydney
My therapist recommended writing things down!! How funny… I like to walk. and walk. and walk until I feel calmer. I can walk for miles and miles with my dog. I have tried other coping mechanisms but this one works the best for me.
http://thelifeofclaree.blogspot.com The life of Clare
I feel as though I’m in the same situation. Our wedding is in three weeks, I’ve started blogging and trying to find work, there is lists of varying sizes, all over our house. I feel better when I can see what needs to be achieved.
http://www.mamzellemarie.com Marie
I don’t know if you can find them in the USA (I leave in France), but you can use Rescue by “Les fleurs de Bach” (Bach Flower ?) ! Take care
Whittney
I usually call my mom. Then after she’s talked me off the ledge I make a huge “to-do” list on my ipad then go for a run!
http://abidebycarolyn.blogspot.com/ Carolyn
I am working on organizing my to-d0 list into four quadrants: urgent & important, urgent & not important, not urgent & not important, not urgent & important. (Is this a Steven Covey idea??? I can’t remember where I found this a long time ago. I am revisiting it again.) Then, I plan my time to make sure that the things that are truly important to me are not dominated by the urgent things. Make sense??? Much love.
http://wh0-we-are.blogspot.com Aisha
Go for a quick run, or walk, it relieves you of all the stress in your body and you feel very productive afterwards! x
http://hathawayhannum.com Cate Hannum
I am a list maker. I have a planner and a note pad I carry around where I jot down all the things I have to do. I can’t go digital for this kind of thing. I feel less overwhelmed and more in control when I have a tangible list. Sometimes I find the best way to handle a hefty to do list is to take 30-60 minutes of ‘me time’. Even if I don’t think I have time. Usually if I do this the speed at which I get things done is increased.
http://www.MyHauteCloset.com MyHauteCloset
Thanks for being so candid Emily. A good friend of mine always said the hardest part is getting started. You’ve already done that! My trick is bikram yoga, a good massage & a fatty meal lol. #Counterproductive much? Maybe I should just try making lists.
http://www.myhautecloset.com
http://candyandtreats.net Liesbeth (candyandtreats)
That seems like a great tip! I mostly keep tossing in bed until I get overly tired and fall asleep. Maybe I loose to much sleep with this method I’ll put a notepad on my night stand just in case from now on
http://www.ladybusiness.ca Kate (lady business.)
I was told when my head spins to name ten things in the room and their colour out loud. Nothing brings you away from the anxiety of the future and into the present faster. I wrote about it once: http://www.ladybusiness.ca/2011/11/on-balance.html
http://Sohlinthecity.blogspot.com Michelle
A glass of wine, my IPhone calendar which is synced to my google calendar and a pretty little notebook to sort it all out in.
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/ Andrea
Thank you for the tip. Couldn’t sleep last night for all of the thoughts I had going through my head! Afraid of how long my list might be!
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/
http://www.elblogdemoyra.com Moyra
I’m just feeling the same, I’m very anxious about many things in my life, I have to do so many stuff! I think that I’ll try this, I’m just tired to be so tired all the time… sometimes is just because I’m over thinking things… that’s not good for anyone.
I love your blog, I always see it, but this message makes me let my comment… I send you a lot of good energy to fullfil all your list and more, you can do it
Hugs!
Lisa
I can’t say there’s any one method that I stick to. I’m such a worry wart!
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Melanie
Yoga.
http://keithpitts.net/blog/ Melissa – Keith Pitts Weddings
I have to say, if it’s on a list, I know I can get to it.
http://www.onlytheicing.com Only the Icing
A Soul Cycle class – I always leave feeling refreshed, positive, and strong!
http://winkthinks.com/ Whitney
I just took a loooong, long walk on the beach when I needed to clear my head. Fresh air, salt water, sand, blue skies, bright sun. Always does the trick.
http://winkthinks.com/index.php/2012/02/08/beach-talks-and-dog-walks/
http://www.thekeypieces.co.uk Lou
I do the same. I write everything down and then I have a clear idea of everything that needs to be completed. I also make sure that I have some time just to think about me and clear my head, I do this by taking the dog for a walk or going to the beach.
Lou x
http://www.thekeypieces.co.uk
http://pinterest.com/snoopylanmolly/ Molly
yes,i also hold that Writing is relieving and wonderful!
xoxo
http://blog.talkanatalka.com Natalie
Writing everything down in a giant list is one of the ways I cope too!
I read a tip through The 99% recently that I’ve been implementing pretty successfully to help with focus on projects…I made a whiteboard with 5 focus-level categories (Extreme, High, Medium, Low, and Idle), and I write all of my current projects on index cards (including stuff like “Exercise”, “blog posting”, “Taxes”..). The point of this is to classify the amount of focus your projects should get from you each day (not necessarily importance, more like how much time you should devote to each) and I rearrange mine daily. It’s a pretty great visualization and it helps me remember what I was planning on focusing on each day! Lists are great but tend to overwhelm me, so I found this combination is pretty successful for me
Allison
I love making lists. I should start doing this little trick. I do it every so often. Love it. Thanks!
Stacey
I think lists definitely help with anxiety. For me personally, running and taking mini “time outs” to enjoy everything in my life at that moment helps keep my perspective in check.