Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Ok, so those who know me know that I am frequently accused of being a stress case; being high strung, or uptight, a perfectionist, full of anxiety, worrisome, tense, and the list goes on and on and on......

I've dealt with this since I was little. I mean, how many 8 or 9 year olds get weekly tension-headaches that last into their adult years? But in a lot of ways I think I've gotten better about things. In fact, believe it or not - since I've been pregnant there are a lot of ways I've become much more easy-going and laid-back. (and in a lot of ways I've become increasingly neurotic - but those all revolve around being a new mommy and all of the new and unknown we're approaching)

But I do think I'm getting better about little thigns. For instance - the fact that for the last many days I've had "sweep and mop the kitchen floor" and "vacuum dog hair off of baseboards" on my to do list. The old me would have stressed out because these chores (and many more) hadn't gotten done yet, but the new, less stressed me has ignored it. There have been more important things to get done, and other things I've wanted to do - so eventually I'll get to those things. And if I don't - oh well! And I've gotten so much better about dishes in the sink. It used to be that it would make me completely crazy if I woke up in the morning to dirty dishes in the sink. Now I don't mind. I mean really - will the world end if there are some dirty dishes in the kitchen sink?

There still are things that drive me nuts, and that worry me constantly - but I'm really trying, and know that I'll have to keep trying.

So I am recommitting to being a less stressed lady. I'm practicing my breathing ("Good air in.....bad air out....."). I'm trying to let go of things that are not in my control, and realize that it doesn't do any good to get tense about things. I'm also trying to remember that the baby will be able to feel my tension, and that will cause him to be more stressed - and we don't want that.

So wish me luck, and as I work towards this goal remember - Rome wasn't built in a day.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joanna, I am trying to figure this blogger thing out. Is it like family.com where everyone can read or what? Anyway, you two are just one talented couple! Give each other hugs from us.
Love,
Kim and Tammy

Anonymous said...

I've tried to figure out why you and I both get so easily stressed. Laura is always trying to teach me to be mellow about trivial things. Having a baby will help you with that I'm sure since there are just tons more trivial things in your life once the babe arives. I've found that I have to stress less or I just don't cope well. Good luck with your goals- You will be a great mom and dad!