Drastic changes in weather can be disruptive to my routine, my internal clock, and ability to cope with stress. This season also happens to be a busy time at my day job, so taking time to grow Southside Vintage compounds the stress I’m already experiencing. Therefore, it is necessary to identify some healthy coping mechanisms. 1. Take a deep breath and chill out for a minute. Not everything is going to get done. There are things that are out of your control and you can’t make anything better when you wake up in a panic at 3:00am. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night 5 out of the last 7 nights with my mind racing, thinking about all the things I’ve got to do. It’s really not a productive use of time. I’d be better off getting a good night’s sleep, so I’m better prepared to deal with everything the next day. Therefore, I’ve got to remind myself to take a deep breath and chill out. In the middle of the night, I’ll get a drink and pet my dog — avoid laying in bed tossing and turning, definitely resist the urge to scroll through Instagram — and just relax. 2. Do two things for yourself. Do one thing that’s external and will flood you with those good feelings immediately. For me, those things are greasy food and TV binges. Do another thing that will provide a restorative space for you to recharge and relax. This could be a massage, meditation, yoga, or a walk around the neighborhood. Even just quiet time laying in bed or taking a shower can provide the space to recalibrate from a busy, disquieting day. 3. Practice self-forgiveness. Self-care is important for dealing with stress, but it’s also necessary to incorporate a healthy dose of self-forgiveness into your daily internal conversation to ensure you aren’t contributing to your own stress and negative thoughts. Marlee of @softpractice (an incredibly inspiring woman) mentioned in one of her recent podcasts that “self-forgiveness is the homework of her life,” which is something I identify with. Learning how to forgive myself, or at least being as forgiving with myself as I am with others, is important when trying to destress. I can’t get everything done, some things will fall through the cracks, deadlines will be missed, but that’s all okay. We are not going to get through everything and remain balanced. We must prioritize our own needs, accomplish what we can in the time allotted, and forgive ourselves for the things we can't or don't do.
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