Reed What Matters

“In this world without quiet corners, there can be no easy escapes…from hullabaloo, from terrible, unquiet fuss. – Salman Rushdie

Our self awareness series entry by Sarah Ban Breathnach for October 9th, in her book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy quotes the above statement.

I must say, today would be the day I wish you had the book in front of you! Breathnach’s list of ways to relieve stress goes on and on… (on and on in a good way)!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to cope with stress on Breathnach’s list along with my jibber jabbering dissection of some of her tips:

1. Keep it simple – We create much of the stress around us. Simplify your duties and you will avoid much stress.
2. Go to bed at nine o’clock at least twice a week – I find myself staying up late researching ways to better Reed What Matters or by networking on twitter. If I go to sleep early a few nights a week I can handle this, if I stay up late each night I’m a walking zombie by the end of the week. Overworking yourself is bad for your family, your business, and your soul.
3. Keep your house picked up – To wake up to an orderly house, what a joy! This is harder if you have a large family, but it can be done. Have the kids pick up their mess before bed, and you hurry to get the dishes done, wipe your counters down, and clear your table. Even those few tasks will make a huge difference in your home.
4. Stop trying to please everybody – I’m not going to say this again, we’ve went over this! You can try to please all to only please few, because they don’t have you whole. Don’t spread yourself out to thin. Better to be you and just displease a few!
5. Start pleasing yourself – Don’t forget about you! If you are happy and well taken care of you will then be able to help others around you. A whole person can better help one who needs healing.
6. Stay away from negative people – I have negative people in my life, don’t get me wrong. I love all my family and friends unconditionally but know them for who they are, positive and negative. Keep the negative people and the bad apples at a distance, but still love them all the same!
7. Approach problems as challenges – I feel most liberated when bad news or big issues hits me in the face, and I conquer it! I say, “Take that, and NEXT!” Keep it moving!
8. Savor beauty – What is positive in your life? What do you see when you walk out the door? When I walk out the door, I don’t see the ugly apartment buildings that surround me. I see the nicely shaped bushes, flowers, the leaf blowing in the wind, the rain puddles, or the big blue sky (depending on the weather). See the good and turn away from the bad!
9. Create boundaries – Know when too far is too far, and when far enough is far enough! Keep your dignity and be you my friends!
10. Search for your authentic self until you find her/him – Do you know who you are? Sure, you know what you like, what you don’t like, and what you do for a living, but do you know the true beauty and wisdom you possess. Do you know you? Find you!

I hope these tips helped.  I know I write or talk a lot. That’s part of my authentic self. I learned to embrace my jibber jabber.

If you have any tips for coping with stress, or making the day easier so stress doesn’t show up for the day please comment below. We all need pointers here!

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