I'm in the midst of a crunch time here. Things got crazy in June when my family obligations suddenly increased. Now, it's all about work, and I'm making computer generated schedules of every minute of the day to make sure that everything gets done. I think I'm doing a pretty good job of keeping my sanity. It helps to take the time to eat and sleep. And I know that the world just isn't going to end if my bibliography isn't totally perfect. Actually the world isn't going to end, if nothing ends up happening. I've found that nihilism is a powerful ally during these times of stress.
I have a love-hate relationship with crunch times. Clearly, it sucks to be so stressed out. There's no time to write the daily blog post and the Times is still folded over neatly on the kitchen table. But, I'm an adrenaline freak; I kind of feed off of stress, too.
Question of the Day: Are you stressed out right now? What's freaking you out? What do you do to relax?
Of course i am stressed right now? Do you know many people that aren't? Well i am flying home to de-stres this weekend....to not think of work, or money problems, or what to cook for dinner is sort of a nice to thing to look forward to yet i still think..."my god i am going to be bored out of my brain"
Posted by: lulu | July 28, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Umm...the fact that Hezbollah might have a missile that could reach my house?
Sorry, don't mean to be a drama queen...
Posted by: Allison | July 28, 2006 at 06:27 PM
I have complete appreciation for people acting like drama queens with faced with possible impeding disaster. For example, I'm worried that 80% of my city will again be devastated over the next few months.
I'm also stressed about two guidebooks I need to rewrite.
Posted by: Frolic | July 29, 2006 at 10:01 PM
I'm looking forward to another month of fairly hard work (long sweaty trips pushing a double stroller uphill to kiddie classes alternating with broiling over a hot sandbox), but oldest child starts pre-k in four weeks, and pretty soon I'm going to be spending 8:45 to 3:15 M-F living the carefree (hee!) life of a mom of one. I can't wait.
Posted by: Amy P | July 30, 2006 at 03:34 PM
I'm not stressed out right now -- I just came back from a week-long vacation and I've got four weeks before my semester begins. My stress is seasonal: it comes in November, February, and April ....
Posted by: jo(e) | July 30, 2006 at 07:15 PM
Funny, my seasonal stress is the same. :) Except I get crazy in May instead of April.
When I'm stressed, I sing. I'm not very good at it, but it makes me feel good.
Posted by: WendyW | July 30, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Stress!? I'll give you stress!
We recently found out one of our 9 year old's teeth is abscessed. (Boy's dental hygeine and diet generally excellent). Will have to come out under general anaesthetic, can only be done in private (user-pays) system, $1000 up front and $350 for each 15 minutes after that... that's apart from Dentist fees and anaesthetist fees... and the fear of him being under a General. but that is not all, oh no, that is not all! He has orthodontic nasties going on that may reqire the removal of more teeth... so he needs an orthodontist visit as well.
The dog's been limping on and off and it's becoming obvious it's not going to go away and she will have to go to the vet. But because of the boy's tooth the poor little bastard has been triaged. That, and because we need to drive a 800-K round trip next weekend to the snow blizzardly alps, snow chains, the works, to visit another child who is spending a term on a remote campus (this is a good bit, especially as we can focus on the one with the tooth). This will cost $$$.
Then, there's two separate sets of overseas relatives from the UK and NZ descending next week.
All happening at once.
Oh yeah, and one of the relatives is so elderly and allergic that the dog - that's the one with the sore leg - has to live outside for ten days (and nights). In winter. (I'm building a nest for her under the house, but my heart is torn.)
Valium anyone?
Posted by: Helen | July 31, 2006 at 12:13 AM
Totally. I head out for vacation in a few days. I have a book chapter to complete and I had wanted to complete the dissertation chapter I've been poking at for the last month or so. Oh, and I should be preparing for my class and there are a million little things.
I'm actually thinking I need some kind of meditation practice or a bottle of wine.
Posted by: Geeky Mom | July 31, 2006 at 10:08 PM
I read your question and thought, stress?!? I'LL give you STRESS. Then I read these other comments and that put things in perspective.
Anyway, I am positively relaxed right now compared with my mini Schnauzer, who is sitting on my lap trembling because of a thunder storm. Really, trembling and hyperventilating.
Me, I'm suddenly zen.
Posted by: mjones | August 02, 2006 at 12:06 AM