Sometimes when you dream you wake up and wonder WTF was that? Or you laugh because it is was just plain silly. You could be my daughter who woke up the other day after a good dream about a friend from school saying, "It was a good dream, I'm going to keep it."
The other night I had a dream that was terrifying and made me not want to go back to sleep. As scary as it was to my unconscious, it was frighteningly clear to my conscious self. There is no hidden symbolism in a dream where you are moving to higher ground in a constant effort to escape tidal waves.
When I get overwhelmed by tasks and life it is my tendency to revert to list making. It seems scary at first, to put down everything that needs to be done, but it is incredibly satisfying to cross things off the list. Even the act of making the list serves to put perspective on all that seems overwhelming.
When I couldn't sleep after the tidal wave dream I woke up and immediately starting making lists. House stuff, articles, quilts on the go, deadlines, Christmas presents, and more. Then Hubby offered to take the girls with him on an out of town errand (he's home for a week!). I decided to put all the must do items aside and tackle something that a) would make me happy to work on and b) would be quick to finish. Conveniently, I'd basted two quilts at our Modern Quilt Guild sew night on the weekend.
So I turned on the stereo, made a cup of hot cocoa, and in between loads of laundry (a good break for the shoulders) got 3/4 of my Values Quilt quilted. The snow was falling, my Cuban music blaring, and I felt myself get calmer with every stitch. There will be no tidal waves for a few days at least.
14 comments:
Well done!! I think I may need to get those lists started myself as everything seems a bit overwhelming currently... hmmm...
Thanks for sharing!
I'm a list maker too.
So glad you got a chance for some alone sewing time. After being a single parent so much lately, you needed it I'm sure!
your priorities are in the right place. You have to treat 'you' very well whenever you can.
Totally a list maker here as well. Great job hitting the right happy medium with calming yourself down and getting something accomplished as well. (I frequently use laundry as my "break" as well!)
Way to destress. I also make lists. It keeps me sane and makes me feel like at least I can start to get where I want to end up. Good luck with you list and have a great Thanksgiving!
I am a list maker too. It totally calms me down and I can see that things aren't so overwhelming. It feels so great to cross things off and know you are making forward progress.
You are so right to make time for yourself too! If we don't take care of ourselves who will?
Yes, to lists, and yes to taking alone time to take care of yourself. If you don't it becomes all the harder to do the "to-do's" - and certainly much harder to do them and still be nice to those around us (speaking only from personal experience, myself, I'm sure you are unfailingly lovely to your children and spouse).
Good girl! You're taking care of yourself, you took charge, and you motivated me to dig out my Cuban music. ;)
I know it still seems like everything takes a long time, but as a new quilter, it amazes me how quickly all you experienced folk get things done! I guess you all compensate by having more projects!
i have had that tidal wave dream since i was a kid. it is always so terrifying.
Way to go girl!! I finally stopped into Traditional pastimes today. what a great store.
Keep posting your good
blogs.
I totally get the list thing.. when I'm anxious it's usually because a list has not been made lately. they calm me... and a little music helps too! smooches!
I'm obsessed with lists. They totally calm me down.
I loved reading your post. I felt like I was in my own quiet place, listening to music and drinking a good cup, sewing away. Sigh. I need to do that for myself soon. :)
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