This writing challenge is turning out to be more difficult than exercising. At least Jillian (Michaels) only yells at me for 30 minutes. But this writing just drags on and on. The good news is, tonight I finished work at 6:30 so I had time to work out (HIIT via Fitness Blender), shower, and eat supper already. I even squeezed in a gin and tonic so I won’t care so much about grammar or sounding super smart.
I have to tell you, the conversation around the dinner table devolved way too quickly. Too many jokes about ISIS as someone cut into an orange. I reacted rather badly, punching my friend in the arm to reinforce how I feel about his inappropriate comments. Gotta give props to the chef though, we had a lovely Italian risotto!
Since I’ve started this writing challenge, I’ve gone 3 sleeps without a nightmare. No one shooting at me, bombing me, or forcing me to be their 3rd wife (not sure what category that one falls into – stress dream, maybe?).
I’ve always had stress dreams. You’d be surprised how many ways your mind can conjure up to lose your teeth. They can crumble, break, fall out whole. And the dentist never can put them back in, no matter how hard you plead.
We all react to stress differently. I don’t think any of my colleagues are losing sleep at night. Just me. And not even me anymore – now that I’ve learned writing before bed can trick my brain into turning off.
Just to be clear – most of my fears are irrational. I know that (it’s the fireworks that always get me). That’s why I’ve made it my motto to do things afraid (future blog post right there). Fear holds us back. It also keeps us alert. If I never did the things I was afraid to do, I’d never leave the house.
I’m part of a special group on Facebook for humanitarians who have crazy stories to tell. We talk a lot about mental health issues, some of us anonymously. It’s nice to know there are other people out there for whom this work isn’t so easy.
So in the interest of preserving my mental health, I’m taking a break tonight. I’m going to watch a movie. I’d prefer to watch The Bachelor (even better, be on the Bachelor), but the next season doesn’t air until January and I never heard back from the producers regarding my application 🙁
While I’m watching a movie, it’s your turn – tell me, how do you balance stress with living your dream? Do you share my motto, “do it afraid”?
Probably depends on the season of life I’m in, how I balance stress with living my dream (or even just figuring out what the dream looks like at any given time). But I think I’m on the same page as you regarding “doing it afraid.” I’ve never thought of putting it that way–but I think I’ve been living that way for a long time. Thanks for the words.
Hi Jenn with 2 ‘ns’ – thanks for your comment! I gave up looking at this blog when my grandfather passed away and I got a little off track. Just wanted to belatedly recognize the comment and say I also spell my name with 2 ‘ns’ 🙂
So sorry to hear about your grandfather. These kinds of things do tend to derail us… I’ll keep you in my prayers, if that’s okay. We 2-n Jenns have to stick together!
I “do it scared….”
I usually read blogs and pass them by… I’m not one to comment, so this may be a bit personal, but “Thank you Jennifer for what you do each day, and thank you for writing. I’m enjoying reading your writting challange… and encouraged by your candor.”
Wow – that really means a lot to me! Thanks Michelle!
I get stress and anxiety dreams like none other; I always have. Here, of course, they tend to really be bad. I can’t even remember the last time I got a good/full night’s sleep. I wish I had advice for you but so far the only solution I’ve found is just getting so desensitised that I don’t even care what happens anymore. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I haven’t checked this blog since I got off track in October but…. just so happens that last night I had the strangest stress dream ever – that I was supposed to give an advanced training on Camp Management but didn’t have an outline or any info on the modules. I stood up and did some energizers then ran out of things to say. I had to tell everyone I didn’t know what I was doing 🙂 So horrible but also funny! I hope you are hanging in there and had a great Christmas!