If truth be told, it was actually a bright and sunny day, and I never considered screaming, (but that really didn't make an interesting introduction). The footsteps I heard were from the A/C guys installing a duct system to equalize the pressure in my house. Who knew my house was under pressure? But, I should have guessed...Anyone who knows me will tell you I frequently walk around under pressure. The tasks I am responsible for sometimes (read: most times) overwhelm even my best efforts. As I fall more behind and end up doing less than my best, I start to build up pressure from stress.
Anyone who knows me will also tell you it isn't pretty when I blow up. It is a run for cover, shield your eyes, protect the innocent, and sign up for therapy kind of moment. I have made grown men cry, and that isn't an exaggeration. The pressure from stress is not a good thing for me, but then again, I doubt many people really enjoy it.
As I sit here listening to the pressure equalizing work being done overhead, I realize I need to install a similar relief system on my life. I need a way for areas of high pressure to be vented off and areas of low pressure to be combined into my daily productivity. I need to bring down the extremes and become more functional in the middle.
What I really need is a clone. But I am afraid that is a subject for another post...
Thinking about installing a pressure equalizing system is all well and good, but how to go about it is a tougher nut to crack. Here are a few of my ideas. I'm curious to know if you have any other suggestions.
- Do Something Calm to Balance Something Stressful. I wish I could do this in a 1:1 ratio, but let's be honest, I would have to move to a beach hut and hire someone to convince my kids to clean their rooms if I wanted to only do one stressful thing for ever calm thing I could do. Right now, in my life, getting my kids to bathe is a stressful event. I think a 1:5 ratio may make more sense. One calming activity for every 5 stressful things may work a bit better. Somedays it may be 1:10, or 1:3, but I have to start somewhere!
- Chill on the Caring. Don't get me wrong, I don't plan to tune out life, but maybe tune out little things. I really hate watching other people make lame choices, but as I cannot be in charge of correcting every lame decision I need to back off the amount of attention I give it. Getting all riled up over things I have no control over does nothing but increase my stress and my pressure level. If I want to improve my equalization, I need to let other people own their personal choices.
- Smile and Laugh. It is amazing how quickly laughing can relieve pressure. One good laugh can set all sorts of things right. When my kids dump chips on the floor, I can either giggle or get angry. The same chip is on the floor, but I will either be stressed or not. I must practice impromptu laughing.
- Delegate. This one must be obvious, but I will explain it anyway. I am not Super Woman. No matter how many times I show up at the grocery store in shiny boots and a cape, I really don't have super powers. I need to stop acting like I do! Only taking on the tasks I have the time and brain power to handle is a good thing, but getting help when I need it is even better. Nothing builds up stress faster than being given a problem I can't solve. Asking for help is a quick pressure release valve that everyone should know how to access.
- Say No. I have posted about this concept before, and I have been laughed at before too. Saying no in the first place really eliminates the need to delegate later. I am getting better. My calendar is clearing up, and my ability to be calm is returning. "No," really is a beautiful word.
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