In the first week of September, we have two birthdays, school starting, a fall garden that STILL needs some items planted, projects I'm trying to finish, routines to re-establish, committees starting up, fall Bible Study, 4H, swim team, and to top it off, I seem to have allergies every year around this time. Is it any wonder I start hyperventilating? I'm not kidding. One year, I hyperventilated for a week and ended up in the ER. At least now I know what it is and what causes it... stress.
I was so thankful today that I was able to quite literally "catch my breath" when I went out to hang the laundry on the line. I never knew a simple act of home keeping could be so therapeutic. Besides being nearly perfect weather, I got a chance to enjoy the sunshine, hear all the animals and birds, and no one else was out there but me! Am I the only one who finds this relaxing? Hmmm... I doubt it. Just wish I had known this was so helpful years ago.
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Two other things that help me cope with the demands and stress of having to wear so many hats include prayer and knowing when to stop. Just talking to the Lord brings a huge amount of peace and quite to my soul. Knowing He's there and that He never changes. He's not in a hurry and He knows what's really important... what HE wants me to do during my busy day and not just my agenda (which is 90% of my stress!).
About 9 or 9:30 each night, I just call it DONE. Anything that didn't make it to the top of the list today can wait until tomorrow. And sometimes that even means a blog post (I'm telling myself that as much as anyone else!). At the appointed time, I turn out the lights, finish my evening routine, and crawl in bed to read and relax. Up to that point, I've been going pretty much non-stop, so needless to say, I usually sleep pretty well at night. I've found that if I just quit and go to bed, I can get up earlier, have more energy, and accomplish enough to catch up... at least for a while!
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If things are really bad (ultra stress), a soak in the bathtub does wonders! It's amazing what a little hot water can do. Throw in some scented bath salts for some moisture and aroma therapy, a good book, ... have I ever mentioned how grateful I am for hot water! I think it's probably my #1 luxury item. We forget that it's not that common for everyone to have hot water. But I digress...
So, I'm rambling since my brain is fried and I'm tired. It's 9:08 and I'm posting this for tomorrow... a couple of days late. I'm sure routine will find itself at home here again... in a week or two. Then maybe my posts will be more consistant.
Perhaps I'm not the only one?
Care to share your stress relieving tips?
I couldn't agree more that the simple pleasures of hanging clothes on the line and taking a bath can be healing. Just hearing the birds in the morning puts me in a calm state of mind.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me. I go nonstop all day and am ready for that cozy bed by 9:30! A productive day is the best sleep medicine.
Glad you are taking care of yourself!
Your thoughts are right on track! Yes, when school begins it is hectic...new schedules, homework, volunteering at school, and after-school activities collide with the usual to-do list. Simply stepping outside and taking a deep breath can relieve the stress...along with a simple prayer. Hang in there...the routine will click in and it'll be smooth sailing before we know it!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, sister! I've often thought that homeschool really shouldn't begin until after canning season...the two collide terribly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the children need to be schooled, so just take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time.
I agree with "calling it quits" at the end of the day. I do the same, as much as I can control things. Having 4 teenagers can challenge that goal often times, but it's just a season.
Love what you write, Amy! Praying for you!
It's so funny, I am so used to reading your posts that for the last couple of days I have come here thinking what's going on, I hope everything is ok with Amy. After reading this post, I totally understand. We started school about 3 wks. ago and I have 2 highschoolers this year. It's going to be a challenging but Lord willing, a wonderful year.
ReplyDeleteI hope your school year is the best ever!!!
I can totally relate to dealing with stress! Sometimes it is hard for me to relax until all of the housework and big chores are done....but one thing that I have found very therapuetic is spending time outside with my chickens. They are so entertaining and I talk to them, pick them up and baby them all the time despite their protests. I also get monthly deep tissue massages from an amazing massage therapist which greatly helps to relieve tension- to me, it is well worth it for my health and we budget it into our medical expenses.
ReplyDeleteBusy times now for you. I love to take a bath when I was stressed but I am retired now and stress doesnt happen any more for me . Hanging the laundry out has always been therapeutic for me plus it smells great . Hope you can find your rithem soon of a routine and try to be stress free, what doesnt get done today can wait to get done tomorrow ! Thats my moto ! Have a wonderful day !
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about writing a blog post titled something like this, "I'm homeschooling my high school son and I don't know if I'll make it out alive. If you don't see any more posts on this blog, you'll know why."
ReplyDeleteKinda long for a post title, don't ya think?
Heather@MountainHomeQuilts
You are not the only one Amy. I can totally relate. I have had to do this a lot lately. Since I water my garden by hand it forces me to have to slow down. I can't rush the watering. It also keeps me weeding consistently. Part of my stress this year is the amount of produce I am getting. Next year I am only planting a couple of cucumber plants. I have never had an abundance of produce to harvest before and I am learning I don't really want that for next year. Especially things like cucumbers. Anyway, you will catch your breath. Just keep those scheduled simplicity moments on your list. And don't forget you can ask for help. I tend to not ask for help, which adds to my stress. Maybe the homesteaders group could plan a fall and spring garden preparation day? Assign people together to help prepare their gardens for the new season. Hey, I think that sounds like a great idea. We should talk :)By the way, I was able to get most of my garden prepared and I only have one homeschooler this year so if you need help, don't be shy.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Trixi,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be missed! Thanks for you concern... blogging just didn't make it to the top of the list this past week. :-)
Heather ~
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! That should have been my blog title! Only for Jr. High. It's a whole new homeschool world!
Mona ~
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was so thrilled when yesterday afternoon I turned to Kate and said, "We HAVE to get this fall garden planted!". She asked what I wanted to get in the ground and then said, "Oh, that's easy. I planted that ALL SUMMER in Indo!" I about cried with joy! She got my two carrots varieties in (which I still owe you for!), parsnips, and broccoli. I dug up our pitiful potato crop and we'll get the cabbage, cauliflower, beets, chard, and other greens planted by the end of the week... I hope! Otherwise, I'm calling out the troops for sure! How's your planting going?
Oh, and she planted peas, too. I'm going to see if we can get in a late crop.
ReplyDeleteI fixed much of my stress level by going back to a traditional school calendar. You know the one where school starts after harvest and ends at planting. It's not worth my health to add something else to an extremly busy plate. I ended up with severe anemia and other vitamin deficencies last year before figuring this out after much prayer and many doctors visits. Even with my states requirements I can manage to get 180 days between the time alloted. We start school the last week in September or first week in October depending on when the apples are ready. We do have to do some days during the summer after the fruits of June and the beginning of August, but that's good for the brain anyway. This way at least two of my schedules flow together and the children love it as they get to enjoy these last warm days a little bit more, even if they involve hard work!
ReplyDeleteNo, you're not the only one. I wrote about this today on my blog as well. I don't homestead, so the particulars are different, but moms' hearts are the same. We need time to catch our breath.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been overwhelmed by produce ? We have and it is incredibly stressful. We try to give stuff away, but my meighbors have a garden too. It is a good problem to have and I am grateful, but I am a tad bit resentful as I am left chopping and freezing into the night :).
ReplyDeleteI do not know how to can. The truth is probably I do not want to learn because I have heard how time consuming it is and fresh frozen sounds better than canned anyway to me. Do you have suggestions as to where to drop off extra produce ?
Amy, you are one busy lady... It's good that you know how to recognize when you need to recharge your batteries and to appreciating a quiet moment while slowing down. JB
ReplyDeleteAmy, you are a very busy lady and you seem to work even harder than me. It's nice to know that you can take a little special moment to appreciate the simple act of hanging cloths on the line refreshing and renewing. Gratefulness is the nectar of the soul... JB
ReplyDeleteThe hot bath and a good book to take my mind off all that I have to do. Praying and trying to remember that this is just the season that we are in and this too will pass helps to bring me back down... I try not to stress over the garden. I did not have a good summer so there for did not even consider the fall garden. Maybe next year...:)
ReplyDeleteI use to love hanging out the laundry. I love the fresh sun shine smell and they ironed up so nice. Those were the good old days! Really enjoyed the post. Now I may have to go run some soaking water myself!
ReplyDeleteOh, Girl, I feel your mingled pain and joy. I could have written this today, if I could have gotten the words out. You wrote my heart! I completely relate to hanging laundry. It's one of my favorite fall and spring activities, for the very reasons you stated. Blessings on your busy fall! :)
ReplyDeleteMary, any chance a local church would take it for their needy or perhaps the Salvation Army (if you have one nearby)? Another idea is to set up a little table on your front porch or by the road with extra produce. Add a can and a little sign with prices. People can pay on the honor system. Then just FB or call friends to spread the word.
ReplyDeleteBekki, that's a good idea about changing the school calendar to meet the homesteading calendar. It crossed my mind once or twice, but I didn't think it through too far. Perhaps I need to!
ReplyDeleteall summer I did not visit one single blog.. and my camera broke.. so all my pictures are bad.. i only have my phone camera.. so I was and am.. sad.. boy was I happy to visit you today.. and see your smiling sunflowers.... I love visiting your blog.
ReplyDeleteAwww... thanks! Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteBreathe deep, sweet Amy, and let God rock you in those big arms of His:-).
ReplyDeleteFirst off Amy you are in good company! Heather of Mt. Home Quilts I hear you loud and clear. It is possible to feel that way about so many life factors isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen my dear cousin and I were younger, both with young families , we used to write letters (yes USPS no home computers then ) or on occasion talk on the phone. That was before the days of one price fits all AT&T. She was in Missouri and I in California, long distance was pricey. The egg timer came in handy for limiting call time.
Opps, sorry, the point was then we would say "yeah when the children are grown and gone we will have soooooooooooooo much time!" NOT and that is a big NOT!
We email now and find we have less time then we did then. How weird is *that*?? So I get the prioritizing completely. You gotta keep sane!
My tip for that? Spinning. I spin whenever I get a few moments. Cheap therapy I always say. Something about the treadle rhythm and the hypnotic turns of the wheel itself that make the blood pressure go down. But then I think what will I knit or weave with all this yarn and when will I find the time-yike!
Homeschooling and canning simultanesouly especially when you have a child with Autism can be extremely overwhelming at times so I can most definitely relate. I get stress/allergy induced migraines. I have learned to take a deep breathe and at the end of the day when all is quiet take time to enjoy a nice cup of peppermint tea and just relax for a few minutes. My husband using relaxation music and sounds (ocean sounds) on CD to relax after a stressful day.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go to be early than I do but I have to want to make sure that my autistic son has wound down and is asleep. As I was out picking the last of my beans today, (which was very relaxing even though it was another chore that needed to be done and usually my older yow sons pick the beans but they were otherwise busy so I had to do it myself) I had myself at little chuckle because I am always amused by those who think SAHM sit around eating bon bons and watching televsion all day. Recently, I had a young woman as me what I do for a job. I replied proudly that I am a SAHM which she replied no I mean a real job. I went on to explain what I usually do in a day and she replied I guess you do have a real job.
When my boys were young, every Sunday afternoon was my time to unwind. My husband was gracious enough to clean up the kitchen after Sunday dinner. I would close myself up in the bedroom for two or three hours. During that time, no one was allowed to disturb Mom. Now that they are older, they have more activities on Sundays so my new me time is Wednesday evenings while they are attending their Bible studies and hubby is sleeping. I have found that each of us needs to purposely set aside time each week to unwind.
Having a special needs child gives me a different perspective than others. If I am not at the top of my game then things are not going to go well during the day. It is important that I pace myself and don't take on too many tasks during any given day. My emotional/physical states directly impacts how well my son can function. When I was forty, I contracted mono from overdoing and overly exposing myself to allergens. It was an extremely debilitating 18 months. Because of the mono, I still have bouts of chronic fatigue so it very that I listen to my body and rest when I need to rest regardless if they is work that still needs to be done. I am not any good to anybody it I have a relapse which is possible.
My advice is to listen to your body, take time to relax and unwind.
It seems that each season gets busier and busier!! You get excited for summer to relax and it's anything but relaxing! Ready for school to start to get on a routine and suddenly you're over committed!!! I keep saying,"next week I can slow down a little", and it always seems to get pushed back!!! My hubby and I seem to go to bed earlier and earlier...just plain tired!!!!
ReplyDeleteGuess it's not just me!!!
Yes a bath at the end of a stressful day is the most blessed treat.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hear you! Sometimes the juggling act juggles my brain. Knowing when to say enough is hard but so important. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree...September is stressful. Getting into the groove...And it always seems we take on too many "good new projects" for the beginning of the school year. I understand the "I'm done" feeling. :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Barb
trainingourdaughters.blogspot.com
Dear Amy, I share your stress of trying to get it all done. I'm sending you a little something tomorrow. xxoo A
ReplyDeleteMy blog was the first to get axed this past month. I just didn't have it in me. I have a hard time calling it quits at night because that's my baby free time to get projects done. It's so nice to be able to spread out sewing projects without having to snatch pins and scissors out of her quick little hands.
ReplyDeleteOooo, A ~ How sweet of you!! You're so thoughtful, friend!
ReplyDeleteEveryone would be so proud of me today... I only hyperventilated a tiny bit! (Hung more laundry!)
You all have such good thoughts... I'm so glad to know I'm not alone. Sherry C., you're such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAmy, It's been a hectic summer, but I wanted to say Hi. And now that school has started back, well, stress & allergies for me has multiplied too! But I wanted you to know, I"M slated to go to a ladies homestead retreat at Foxfire Museum/campground with the ladies of the Ladies Homestead Group from Lazy B Farm.! Really. So excited. We have been working on the layout of our 1.3 acre yard, and are getting quotes on some trees to make some things happen. Love reading your blog, always, preparedness and everything. I hope the year smooths out, Bible classes go well, 4-H is all that! And the work your hand finds to do glorify's God in everyway- blessings, Laura @BTB
ReplyDeleteAmy, Thank you for your kind words. I first learned to take time for myself when my older two boys were 2 and a few months old because my husband was in the Navy and gone for 3-6 months at a time. I would put them down at night and take a long soak while reading my Bible and listening to inspirational music before I went to bed at night. I found it to be revitalizing and prepared me to face the next day as a "single" parent while hubby was away.
ReplyDeleteOooooo, Laura! What a fun retreat you're going to have! Be sure to tell us all about it when you get home.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya girl. It can be overwhelming. I was one told that September was not for the faint of heart (regarding homesteading). It is a month filled with plenty. When I get stressed, I often remind myself of this wonderful saying. "Sure, I have my hands full! Full of good things." Even though it can all seem overwhelming, the importance of your work in the home and for the Kingdom is important and appreciated. God's speed, soldier! :)
ReplyDeleteAmy, I wanted to share a natural remedy for allergy relief that has worked very well for my husband. He used to get sinus infections every spring and fall from allergies. It would take 1-2 rounds of antibotics to clear up. I did some research to find a natural treatment, and it worked!! He hasn't been to the doctor for allergy issues for 3 years.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning and evening during allergy season, or anytime he feels he needs it, he drinks apple cider vinegar and local honey tea. Just add 2 T raw, organic ACV and 1 tsp. local honey to 1 cup hot water. You don't want the water to be boiling/too hot, or it will kill the raw enzymes and good stuff in the ACV.
I wish you good luck with stress and allergy relief!
Thanks for the tip! It sounds easy and do-able!
ReplyDelete