I get tense because I believe we only have a limited amount of time available in which to do things (i.e.: one lifetime). I get so stressed by this idea, asking whether what I’m doing is meaningful, or to ‘the point’ (whatever that is), that I forget to do anything at all! Have you ever seen a dog get so excited about going for a walk that it runs around in circles for ten minutes, and becomes too tired to go for the walk? That’s my emotional state about life in general; so much good stuff to do that I don’t do any of it, because I’m saving up my energy for the best possible thing to use it on.

Well today I had one of those stupid little realizations that makes you slap your palm to your face. “Hang on. Just because I want to do something big doesn’t mean I can’t do all the small things too. Time might be finite but my energy and creativity are not.” I know it seams odd, but maybe the solution to being a serious, tense person like Adrienne and me, is in fact to do MORE than ever before. It’s distracting, it’s fulfilling, and you’re so tired at the end of the day you pass out in bed rather than lie awake worrying what you did or didn’t do that day. In my experience, the more time you use, the more you seem to have, and the less stressed out you get because you’re always in the thick of something challenging and fun.

Most recently? I went out and bought an old C & P press… and now I am just waiting for it to get a little warmer so I can spent time in the barn restoring it. Then… who knows! I made it a point not to get wrapped up in figuring out what the mission was for this thing (it helped I got it for almost nothing and helping hands willing to move it), no plans to have a shop, or a line of cards or anything. Just… print, for the sake of a beautiful process, on gorgeous paper, to produce amazing texture with really beautiful type.

When I want to relax and get away from everything, I hop on my bike, grab a loaf of old bread and head up to the park and feed the ducks. I am fortunate enough to live close by Audubon Park in New Orleans where the ducks are around all year. They are not scared of people and I end up having 10 ducks quacking and waddling around me. It instantly cheers me up and I forget about everything I need to do back home.

Lately, I’ve been playing with watercolor pencils. I don’t feel that I have to artist talkent to play with colored pencils. I just draw (poorly) or scribble colors that I feel — whatever seems to come naturally to me at the time. That needs to get out. Then I add water and see what happens! It’s fun and always unexpected. A great way to unwind.

I knit. My favorite thing is to curl up on the couch with a big cup of hot chocolate and a new skein of yarn.

I try to find releases in the moment of life; meaning, in winter, fall into the snow, now, and make a snow angel, it brings out the child in you. Come spring, notice all new life (animal and plant) and their beauty, hope and joy; in summer, snip some flowers for yourself and tie a ribbon you tucked in a drawer around a bunch and share them with a neighbor; in fall, walk upon the crimson leaves and relax as they crunch and you breathe in the autumnal scents. I am learning one doesn’t need a big vacation or getaway–let us relax in our world…wherever it is. I also highly recommend a warm bath, too. relax. enjoy life.
thank you!

i love my computer, but sometimes i get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done on the computer! turning the computer off for even just a couple hours helps me relax and focus on other things :)

To relax, I read, bake, play Nintendo, hang with my cat (Mr. Pickles), or play The Sims. The latter allows me to tune out the entire world!

I’m as high stung as they come, so getting me to lighten up is a challenge!

I’m addicted to bridal magazines- something about the layout, the colors, etc really makes me calm. It’s been months since I’ve planned a wedding but I still love the magazines during my down time!

I love these sweet cards. Adorable.

To lighten up, I put on some awesome music that you just can’t help but smile to (earth, wind, and fire’s “september” is a great one) and dance around my living room with my dog.

I like to watch videos on funny or die… hilarious way to distract yourself from daily woes.

I’m also a very serious person, and everyone around me is always telling me to relax and live a little. I live in a condo and my neighbors make it very difficult to have any kind of relaxation at my home, it’s hard to take a bath or do yoga when you hear noise all around you. When that happens it helps to take a walk around the neighborhood with my ipod, or I’ll to try meet a friend and have a nice dinner or tea with them, and in the summertime I like to drive around at night with the windows down just listening to music.

When I’m too anxious and taking things too seriously at work, I go home and have an impromptu dance party in my bedroom. It’s pretty hard to take myself seriously when I catch a glimpse of those horrible dance moves in the mirror. :)

I read and drink coffee. :)

i name inanimate objects. i attempt to bake. i dress my dog in ridiculous costumes. i fly kites. i send my best friend something via snail mail. i take pictures. i splurge on shoes. i draw pictures to stash away for people to find later. =)
and now…i visit dingbat press! =)

Your hubby sounds like my hubby. I’m an east-coaster and he is a laid back Californian. I worry about big things (Haiti, world hunger, my baby’s asthma) and small things (getting to appointments on time, the characters’ choices on LOST (why, oh why did Jack make everyone come back?), the weird swirl my hair is making today, etc.). To relax, I just have to lay on the floor with my six-month old and have him smile at me. Cleaning and cooking also help; in other words, controlling those things that I can and letting the rest work themselves out.

When I’m having a difficult day and I need cheering up, I either read a chapter of Pride and Prejudice, or go out for some scrumptious ice cream. On regular occasions when silliness is called for, I like to slide around on my hardwood floors to peppy Perry Como songs. Great fun! Even greater fun would be giving out these incredibly beautiful cards to people who don’t know my name.

I like to collect jokes… It’s kind of a strange but the more jokes you have in your repertoire that you find really funny the more you can make others laugh. You feel good and you can make others feel good.

I’d like to say I have a great love of yoga – that calms my soul and leaves me ready to take on the day with a sense of passion…but, that would be a big fat lie!  Instead, I really like to go shopping to relax.  I’m not talking big indulgent purchases, but grocery shopping – alone – for hours…taking the time to compare ingredients on ALL the shampoo bottles, traipsing down each aisle and buying the ice cream last (’cause hey, I’m gonna be there a while).  I travel for work most days, and have five kids at home, but when they’re tucked in bed, my sweet husband sends me off to buy groceries for the week – knowing he’ll be asleep before I get back – and it’s okay.

My bf is so good at getting me to relax! Just sitting down and eating dinner with him usually helps and if I’m super stressed, he knows how to make me smile (okay, sometimes I get stressed and snap. I’m working on it. He calls me out and then the make up you-know-what gets me really relaxed!)

Now that he’s far away (boo grad school!) having my sweet puppy to cuddle with helps me unwind. Plus reading design and craft blogs and crafting!

I’m the biggest dork I know and manage to make myself laugh all the time by just saying or doing something to keep up my dork status.. today I challenged my nephew to a head-stand contest.. he won and was immediately able to settle down to do his homework while we giggled..

I lighten up by choosing to find my hubby’s jokes funny.

I clean. I know that doesn’t sound very relaxing but when I’m stressed and I look around my apartment the only things I see are the things that frustrate me. So…I pick up my duster, vacuum, and re-arrange things. Usually I put on some upbeat music and by the time my flat is clean, I’m so much more relaxed. And then I can just hang out in my fresh, clean apartment without all the distractions.

What lightens me up?

Starting something new, a new adventure/project/sport discipline etc. The new learning experience gives so much fun and you can learn how to distance to your present situation, to your preconceptions of who you are, play with the ego a little bit and fall in love with yourself again, like you were a child again, starting anew! This brings even more luminescence when persued in company :-)

Laugh. Dance. Surround myself with people that are joyful and spread laughter-that always lightens me up!
But when I don’t have anyone around to help me lighten up, I put on soothing music, breathe deep and….wait….that’s for calming!!
Lighten up your day with some fun music and dance like nobody’s watching. In fact, kick them out if they try to watch and don’t join! Sing out loud, and move your feet however your spirit desires!! Swirl, twirl, leap, hop, skip, sway, tip toe, tap….whatever moves you!
Let yourself be you-for me, that’s dancing around like a whirling dervish-discover what lets your soul fly free into light & happiness. You’ll find it!