How Do You Decompress?

Hi Everyone,

As a person living with chronic illness, I get asked this question a lot. Living with a chronic illness is a full-time job. On top of that, you have to include life and all that life brings to the table: a husband, kids, friends, family and also work. With all of those things going on in one's life, how do we decompress? What do we do in our lives that helps us from jumping off the edge of our house? Well, anyone who knows me well knows that my biggest stress reliever is the beach. I am lucky enough to have a husband who loves me and understands that after 55 hospitalizations and 20 surgeries over the last 25 years, I have to be able to decompress. If I didn’t, the result would be devastating for me and my family.

So, each year for the last twelve years, my husband has rented a beach house in June for me to stay. I have never quite been able to put into words what that beach house get-away means to me. The closest thing I can say about being there is that it rejuvenates my soul. Sitting on my beach chair, staring out at the water, enables me to put everything into perspective. I can take long looks at my life and be reminded of all the wonderful things that I have in my life. It reminds me that every day is a blessing. (And who doesn't need to be reminded of that from time to time?) I often say that I wish I could live there, to be able to have that feeling of contentment each day. What could be better? But, my husband reminds me that I would never get anything done. I would sit in my beach chair all day and ponder about having a great life instead of living one. I know he's right, but still… 

What I wanted to accomplish by sharing this story with you is to remind you that no matter what is going on in your life, you have to learn to decompress. You can achieve that goal in many different ways. Each person needs to figure out what works best for them.  Although I look forward to my beach trip every year, and being there does alleviate a lot of problems, I still have to deal with those everyday stresses too. For those times in-between my beach days, I do a few different things to help with the stress. I have to say that aside from the beach, rubber stamping and scrapbooking are my favorite! When I start to feel a little overwhelmed, I go into my studio, pull out supplies, and I either work on a project or I play. And in no time at all, I'm feeling better and more relaxed. So, the next time life seems to be too much, pull out those craft supplies and play. You'll be smelling the salty beach air in no time. I know I do! 

Thanks for joining me. Until next time…

 

Crafty hugs,

 

Lisa

Stampin’ Queen Creations

&

Bella Crafts LLC