[Canningnana]

Embroidering, quilting & sewing. Reading God’s word and reading Christian authors

[Dravon-Redsong]

For me, the biggest thing is that I give myself permission to not get it all done. I get through as much as I can, but there are physical limitations I’ve learned are hard stops. Then of course there’s just plain not enough energy to do it all. So I don’t even try to, though I definitely prioritize the list. Top priority items get energy first, and move down the list. If I’m out of energy or my body tells me it’s had enough, I stop. I have this fun hanging “egg chair” under a massive jacaranda tree. I love to sit in that and swing around, surveying the yard/gardens and listening to birds etc. I also do a lot of reading or writing, which don’t require a lot of physical energy but I find that are restorative.

My husband is a very type A personality who constantly stresses himself out. It’s taken many years, but he’s starting to realize that nobody will die if he doesn’t make it through his task list every day. Some things just aren’t important enough to give up my energy to stressing about, and he’s finally not only beginning to understand that but is beginning to live it.

For me, another big part is trying to turn items into play. If I interact with items to be done as a form of play, I find I have a lot more energy to continue engaging. Playing includes experimentation, working with new varieties, etc. Because it’s play, if it doesn’t work out, oh well. I learned some new things.

[Pukalani-Farm]

I had to laugh at this because I can totally relate to your husband. It’s true. I might not get through my task list today but then I would never fall asleep tonight either because I would be thinking about all I have to do tomorrow 🤣 Fortunately, I am retired so I just finish it all and then sleep like a baby for 10-12 hours.

[KimC]

Daily, quiet, early morning hours help set me up for better days overall with time to myself to think, pray, listen, daydream, plan, ponder, read my Bible, tend the garden and animals, check the headlines or read parts of the paper and work a word puzzle, and enjoy time outside. This charges my batteries for the day ahead. When I don’t get quiet early morning time, I definitely feel it.

[Summerhat-n-Chicks]

My best way to re-energize is to go out and interact with my chickens. When I come home from work, I typically go out and take care of my chickens/ducks. I have new baby chicks and it’s just an absolute joy to watch them and their momma interact; I can sort of forget everything and draw close to what’s really important in life.

[Sandra]

Seeing what others are doing, helps me stay sane, Sometimes seeing others wanting and doing things I desire, make me feel completely normal and sane. So I guess watching y’all keeps me sane.

[ANH]

I agree with you. Seeing what other people are doing gives me the motivation to do more. It helps too with not thinking that I’ve gone completely insane doing all of this. With this website, I can learn new things and ask people questions to learn more without being criticized.

[theIAMofMEinTN]

Agreed! Sometimes a quick video about planting, harvesting, a new bed, a new project helps to light a fire under me. If I watch anything about what’s going on in the world…I get analysis paralysis. I ask myself…why did I watch that??? Being outside in the sunshine with my hands in dirt or prunning something…the world just melts away.

[Pukalani-Farm]

My husband and I do a lot of crossword puzzles. Together but separately, if that makes any sense. The quiet helps us to relax and the puzzles help to keep our minds sharp.

[AiNt-RiTe-Acres]

I use to be the “must do everything” type. My wife will tell you… I use to work in my sleep and cuss like a sailor about things not getting done and unsafe people. In my defense it was a steel plant and we dealt with steel in the ton’s so there wasn’t much room for carelessness.

All of that stress has a lot to do with why I’m in the shape I’m in now. Everyone thought I had it together and was cool as cucumber. Inside the stresses were enormous. The stresses on my body as a whole put me on the disabled list in 2015. I was bitter at first and quite angry. It took me awhile but being at home made me think of all the times my kids were growing and I wasn’t there to see it. Two of my kids grew up while I worked 60 hours or more a week. My middle son was half grown and I was just now realizing it all. I sat there thinking about it while my two youngest kids just ran around playing. At the time they were 2 and 3. It was then I realized I finally had a chance to be part of my kids life. My disability was not a curse it was a gift. Sure daily pain is a hard price for admission but it’s worth it to see my kids grow, learn, love and live.

Just like my curse is my blessing my family is sometimes at the heart of my stress but they are also the cure.

Remembering that is not always easy. Especially recently, long distance move, home repairs, home remodeling, 6 people with 6 personalities (if not more lol) but… it’s okay to stress, it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to be who you are where you are. God put you there and even if you don’t know what you’re doing he knows what he’s doing. Sometimes that’s all you need to know.

[Sunshine67]

I love to sew but, lately it’s been hard to get stitch time. I work 40+ hours a week, babysit my grandson, do my own canning and garden. Which gardening is a good relaxing chore. I’m at peace in the garden.

[BentNeedle]

Scrap quilts are my thing but plants come first so sewing is limited to grow bags and lately covers for mason jars to block the light for the latest experiment…..hydroponic Kratky system. I’ve grown herbs indoors through the winter before but have a hard time preventing the infiltration of gnats that love wet soil so we’re going with water this year.

My granddaughters keep me motivated and working towards their survival keeps me sane.

[Clairvoyant-Countess]

On my paper calendar, I write down three things that have to get done that day and then I tackle those first. Once I get those three things done, I feel triumphant (small stuff but I’ll take it). If I get additional stuff done then that’s icing on the cake. The next morning I cross out whatever I’ve accomplished and then write my new 3 things. I also make time everyday to work on a creative project (sewing, gardening, writing etc.) I might only work for 15 minutes but any action moves me forward. Also, since we live in crazy times, I do one prepping task a day. A lot of days the tasks are small (yesterday I cut and dehydrated basil), I might update my prepping shopping list, I might can something, or like today, I’ll shrink wrap beef for my freezer (note to self to itemize and organize deep freeze). Doing something towards a goal of preparedness keeps me from feeling helpless towards the uncertain future.

[Jen-in-Ok]

I’m going to try this. it sounds like it could work for me. i fail in the sane most days.

thank you

[JulieDogmom]

I had to because I can so relate lol

[Jen-in-Ok]

LOL!

yup. that looks about right.

I’m stealing it!

[Clairvoyant-Countess]

👍

[JerseyGiantChick]

Good tips, works for me to just not over doing it and get things done one at a time.

[LoneWolf]

This is a nice thread, Miss Wanda & ladies. I have to walk barefoot in the forest with my cat, who looks like a wild black panther (which we have in Appalachia) we come home with a basket of pasture greens clippings, or moss & whatnot, for the hens, who are not allowed to wander till I get 3 eggs! The hippies call it “earthing” to go barefoot on grandmother earth. “I would rather be lost in a forest than found in a city” is my favorite long sleeved t shirt. Keep coming back to this thread ladies. Warm homestead hugs all around. Love, kelly

[Sandra]

Love going out barefoot, just wish my yard didn’t have stickers and sweet gum trees everywhere

[jeannie34]

Prayer, family, like minded people

[1PhillyGirl]

Yes!

[Lucky-Ladybug]

To stay sane…. I love to practice quilting and work on needle work. Getting my prepps in order has been my taking up a lot of my time.

[Tippisfunnyfarm]

I no longer leave home alone. It’s imperative that I get outside every day. Sweet Thang knows to come and find me and the dawg outback when he gets home. Now that the garden and canning has calmed down I can have wine and watch the stars at night.

[Clairvoyant-Countess]

Time in nature, and under the stars sounds lovely!

[LoriC]

I’m so busy I don’t have time to go insane. Between managing a warehouse and taking care of my Dad

(he has dementia), and working my garden, I stay busy…..and exhausted.

[KimC]

I care for my mom who has dementia. You have my empathy. I wondered a few days ago how many of us here are family caregivers for parents. I imagine it’s quite a few.

[LoriC]

Sister you have my empathy also. One step at a time, right?

[KimC]

One day, and sometimes one hour, and one minute at a time. I’ve learned (am still learning) how to go with the flow and to try and be as flexible as possible. I’m a planner by nature, so my world was turned upside down when all of her instability really kicked in several years ago. It takes a toll. God’s grace has seen me through. I don’t know how people do this without HIM.

[LoriC]

Without YaHuWah’s blessings and grace, I don’t think anyone does.

That’s why retirement homes were created. A place to warehouse the elderly.

Sad, very sad…….