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Friday, March 5, 2021

De-Stressing Is a Must

Will I meet my deadline? Last night was a night to fret over last minute details. There are many tasks still left on my to do list before Tuesday when the movers come to empty the house. Thirty-eight years of memories, furniture, and "stuff" are still here. Slowly, I pack up the belongings spending some moments reminiscing. More questions pop into my head. Will tonight's estate sale be successful? Will all the buyers pick up their goods tomorrow as scheduled?  Will the clean-out go smoothly? 

Did I mention that I am not finished packing up the house yet? Yikes!

Panic set in last night when I realized that the garage still needed to be organized and packed away! Oh my, moving is not easy and I just found out it is #3 on the list of the top five most stressful life events. 

An internet article I read noted that moving is a stressor. That is certainly right! The last time I moved was thirty-eight years ago and it was from a one bedroom apartment but now there is a whole house of furniture and memorabilia accumulated. The article mentions three tips to manage the most stressful life events.

Managing stress takes time and intentionality.
What if I created a personal plan to de-stress?
Good thinking!

ACTION PLAN TO:
DE-STRESS
Exercise
Stop fretting.
Take slow breaths in and out
Relax
Engage in feel good activities
Smile often
Stay in the grateful zone 
©CV, 2021 

With faith, I will earnestly try to de-stress as I move onward to my new life destination.

Today is a combination blog post.
The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Australian author and poet, Kat Apel.
Today she has a wonderful surprise. She is featuring her new children's book, the Bird in the Herd that is filled with delightful illustrations and a story line children will love to read.
Day 5 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021
Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

28 comments:

  1. Your link on today's TWT page did not display as an active link. I just tried to correct it by posting an active link as a reply -- still not displaying. It may be the WordPress platform.

    Point on about moving stress -- I moved from NM to Colorado in 2015 and blogged it. Looking for moving graphics to include was a welcome distraction and de-stresser. At 77, I've moved a lot in my lifetime, and hope this will be the last one.

    Thumbs for synergy of post combining...

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    1. Thank you, Vanessa for letting me know about my link not working. Talk about stress! My connectivity is an issue today. I am definitely thinking this will be the last move. I am not sure that I could do this again. Glad to meet you, Vanessa. I hope we become #SOL21 writing pals.

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  2. Carol, I think it is human nature to stress over things in our lives. We wonder how we will get things done. We wonder if we made the right choice. We wonder if there is enough time to do all that we need to do. Yet, things work out and we often look back and wonder what we were so worked up about. I am sure you will get everything done and things will go smoothly for you. Good luck.

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    1. Bob, I needed your encouragement just now, especially when I stopped packing to connect my link to TWT. I hope someday I can laugh about this crazy packing routine.

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  3. I am in awe that you are writing about moving, right in the midst of this stress. Wow, Carol! I hope that writing is also on that action plan to de-stress, that it brings you peace. It will get done, be assured. It will. Good luck!

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  4. Moving is sooooo stressful. Much sympathy and many good wishes! I like your poem!

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  5. With you on that moving page. Mostly but not fully out of the old place, largely in but not settled at the new place. #3 does not surprise me. Hoping all goes smoothly and you receive all the support you need.

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  6. Those are all great ideas for destressing! I hope everything goes smoothly for you, I'm sure everything will get done!

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  7. Love this idea, "stay in the grateful zone." Once again you impart wisdom and courage and goodwill, Carol, even as you remember things needing to be packed against the deadline! But you will make it and the move will soon be over and your new place is so, so beautiful. As are your words, always.

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  8. I cannot imagine your stress right now, Carol. I just know it was bad enough packing up my little room in a flat, 20+ years ago. And that was before marriage and kids and all the sentimental bits I have acquired through them! I have said a number of times that we need to pack as if moving... and declutter. (But then we'd just have to stay put! Because, cattle property.) I sure hope your grateful zone is huge and easy to find - and that you achieve that you need to, with plenty of breaths, smiles - and laughter!

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  9. Moving is a terrible stressor and I know this move has come with lots to stress about. I hope this is all done soon and you are happily settled in your Virginia home.

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    1. I hope so, too, Margaret. The online estate sale turned out better than expected so we are thankful. Tomorrow, I continue packing.

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  10. Thirty-eight years!!!! That's incredible. We've had several major moves in our adult lives, and they've all been VERY stressful! So.Much.Work. It's amazing how much STUFF accumulates, isn't it?! It will feel so good to finally be in your new home! That's the fun part. You'll get through this part. Great poem to keep you centered.

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    1. Holly, stress is real but I know you know this. 38 years - so much happened in this house but the new one will be a sweet journey into the future.

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  11. As a military wife and pastor’s wife (same hubby, different stages of life!) I have been through more than my share of moves...I applaud your action plan!

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    1. Hi, Diane. Thanks for joining me here and giving me a bit about your life. I can't imagine moving so many times. My friend's daughter and husband are naval officers and have moved twice with the little ones.

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  12. Moving as a major cause of stress does not come as a surprise. I can't imagine how hard it is after thirty-eight years in one place. Few more days and it will happen. Breathe in, breathe out. You can do it!

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  13. Glad the estate sale went well. Fingers crossed that all items are picked up. Keep making lists and ticking things off, one thing at a time. Breathe. You've got this!

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  14. Love your 'destress' strategies poem, Carol! I'm so impressed in the midst of it all you were able to write this post and share a poem with me for my anthology! You are a rock star! I am impressed. :)

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  15. I love your acrostic, and that you're trying to practice self-care. Moving is SO stressful. We've done it twice in the past 5 years and may have to do it again in the next year. Everything around it takes twice as much time as you think it will. Be kind to yourself, Carol, and good luck!

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  16. I've been through it, too, Carol, & love that you are finding ways to take care of yourself (along with the house). Wishing you a wonderful next few weeks & a soft, sweet landing! I love "Stay in the grateful zone".

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  17. You really have me thinking here, Carol. Your words have put me in the mind of moving, what it must be like, and that it is sure to be in my future before long. I wish you the best and I know you will be settled soon. It will be worth it then.

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  18. I hope all goes well with the move, Carol! We've been in our house 43 years and I can't even imagine the stress it would cause to pack it all up and move. Good luck!

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  19. Good luck with your move. We moved two years ago, and yes, it is stressful. We could not have done it without help.

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  20. I like your action plan poem, those sound like helpful things to do. Exercise and walks always help clear my head. Sending good vibes your way for your last minute packing and move!

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  21. Goodness, Carol. 38 years. I can't wrap my head around how challenging this must be. But I know how excited you are to be near your family and sweet little ones. I hope all went well at the Estate Sale!

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  22. What a wonderful acrostic! You can do this--you can keep doing this as you already are. Just one little step at a time. You make me realize that weeding my collection of "stuff" is something to do now rather than wait. I'm taking a stack of books to the church donation box today!

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  23. Nice to see you on Friday, even for a bit, Carol. You're doing one of the top 3 stressful things! I hope it's all going smoothly and that you land comfortably.

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