27 Responses to “Spawning boxes”

1. A good laugh always puts things in perspective for me. Call a friend or family member who always makes you laugh or watch a movie or TV show you find funny. Also talking to people about when they moved can help because everyone seems to have a horror story. On the day we moved into our house my two young children and myself had a stomach virus.

   by Maureen on April 13th, 2006 at 6:18 am
   
   

2. :smile:I totally agree with Maureen. Talking with someone always helps me as well as either watching a good movie or laying on the couch under a blanket with…..A GOOD BOOK AND READING UNINTERRUPTED with a nice snack.

   by Pat on April 13th, 2006 at 6:23 am
   
   

3. I always listen to music while I’m doing chores: laundry, cleaning, changing the sheets on the beds, cooking or paying bills. It relaxe s me! It takes me back to when that song first came out. Hopefully good memories! I also try to take a walk at least once a day. ..fresh air and burning calories …takes the stress away. Finally, I like to go swimming to think. ..you’re in your own little zone and no one or thing can bother you.
   GOOD LUCK with your move!

   by Laurie G on April 13th, 2006 at 6:28 am
   
   

4. What I do to stay sane generally depends on how much time I have to indulge myself and how bad the situation is. Music, exercise, movies, books, soaking in a bath, playing with kids, pets or husband and chatting with friends are all good things. But if I am short on time, I tend to look the situation head on and consider the worst case scenario. The results of the worst case scenario over whatever I am worried about are almost always less tragic than I am building it up to be. Likewise, a quick comparison to death, bloodshed or severe illness usually makes my situation look just ducky.

   by little lamb lost on April 13th, 2006 at 7:05 am
   
   

5. By the way, you do have all my sympathy. Deadlines can cause anxiety. Things will pan out. I have had to move several times and it is an exasperating time…then you get to try to unpack and put away, going throught the interesting phase of “I know I have it, I just don’t know where it is.”

   by little lamb lost on April 13th, 2006 at 7:10 am
   
   

6. When it gets hectic, I encourage my husband to do something he enjoys so I can have the house to myself and I can have some time where I curl up with a good book and shut out the world. It helps me to recharge my batteries.

   by Crystal B. on April 13th, 2006 at 7:48 am
   
   

7. Moving is a hassle, but it’s a great way to get rid of a lot of clutter in your home. Last time we moved, we had a garage sale and sold all the items that we’d never use again.

   My best relaxation moments are:

   End of the day - hot bubble bath, glass of sweet tea (or wine), child in bed, good book.

   By myself, hiking on a safe path, nice day, sun is shining. Or hiking with a friend.

   On the beach, with my husband and son, walking and collecting seashells. No schedule to follow.

   I hope you catch a moment of relaxation today. Have a great one.

   by Sandra M. on April 13th, 2006 at 8:44 am
   
   

8. Susan,
   I do many of the same things the others do to relax. I read, take a hot bath, exercise, or play with the kids. Yesterday my daughter and I had a hoola-a-hoop contest lol! However when time is of the essence, simply taking a five minute breather here and there helps. Deep breathing exercises are great. I also try to get things in perspective. I ask myself “Is my current situation life threatening, world shattering, or certain to lead to permanent doom and despair?”. Thank goodness the answer is always no. It helps me to laugh at myself, and to remember my problems are not near as big as I thought they were. I hope you find a moment for yourself today. Take care of you! :grin:

   by Zara on April 13th, 2006 at 9:44 am
   
   

9. I read somewhere that moving, money, and wedding planning causes the most fights for couples. So I can imagine your ready for break or a hair transplant. I hope some of the suggestions help. Everything I thought of has been written above. I would if I had the time is take along bubble bath and/or read. For a quick sane fix laughter or step back from what your doing for 5 minutes. Hope the move-in is less stressful.

   by Dena on April 13th, 2006 at 10:01 am
   
   

10. I do many things to keep my sanity. I usually just read and just relax in order to stay sane. I also will watch a funny movie or something that I know will make me laugh. Or I try to find some humor in what I am doing. Like relaxation, laughter is important to my sanity. If I can’t find something to laugh about, then I am usually worrying too much and need to lighten up a bit. Another thing that I have done to stay sane when things get busy (and this may sound strange) is color in a children’s coloring book. For some reason, I find it very fun and relaxing…reminds me of being a kid again and helps me slow down when life gets too frantic.

    by Jennifer Yates on April 13th, 2006 at 10:38 am
    
    

11. There are some great suggestions here… :razz: I’m feeling better about the move already!!!

    Now, if I could just get across a room here without stumbling over a packing case…

    Keep them coming, ladies… a smile keeps me sane and there are plenty of those in your mails! Loving it!

    Susan

    by Susan Stephens on April 13th, 2006 at 10:41 am
    
    

12. talking and hanging out with friends keep me sane:razz:

    by KIM H on April 13th, 2006 at 11:22 am
    
    

13. When I feel overwhelmed, I like to go someplace beautiful and sit for a while, like in a garden, though that isn’t always possible. A green spot that has some trees to offer shade and a place to sit down will do for me. I suppose a good spot would vary from person to person. One rule about this, of course, is that you can’t bring any of your worries, deadlines, problems, etc. Turn off that cell phone or leave it behind altogether. The 5, 10, 15 mins you take in your place are for yourself. You aren’t even allowed to think about anything stressful, just sit, breathe, feel the air moving, and take in the beauty around you.

    Sometimes it’s difficult to be able to go somewhere even for 5 mins, and in those cases I prefer to play some soothing music and imagine myself somewhere nice. It doesn’t have as strong an impact as actually going, but it works. ^_^

    by Sabrina Nguyen on April 13th, 2006 at 11:23 am
    
    

14. Susan, everyone’s given you some awesome suggestions - most of which are what I would have suggested too. I moved house once when I was 8 months pregnant. Husband had to work and couldn’t get time off so it was just me with the packing and unpacking - though thankfully I had help with the actualy lifting of boxes etc. I swore to myself I’d never contemplate a move while expecting ever again.
    But to relax and just let go of the stress and panic, I find music helps me a lot. In fact, I’d be lost without it. I’ve got eclectic tastes too so it all depends on my mood. While working (or packing) I’d go with something that’s fast and upbeat, like 70’s & 80’s music (yes, i’m sorry but i’m stuck in an era and am in no hurry to get out of it!) and keeps my hips moving and feet tapping. And if it’s at the end of the day when I need to relax and put up my aching feet, I’ll go for something by Andrea Bocelli, Julio Iglesias, Yanni or Ayub Ogada or … you get the picture. Anything soft and romantic that helps unfurl the tension at the base of my neck and helps me loosen the knots in my shoulders.
    And while moving, Susan, peppermint foot lotion (from The Body Shop) is an absolute must! Slather it on after a nice hot bath and it will do wonders for aching feet.
    Good luck with your last 50 pages - we know you can do it and you’ll do it really well. :)
    Lee

    by Lee on April 13th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
    
    

15. oops - I meant 5000 words! Didn’t mean to take you back as far as 50 pages, Susan!! :oops::oops:

    by Lee on April 13th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
    
    

16. I think I would put on some soft music, get a soft blanket and a good book and curl up on the couch and read. Just let myself get lost in the book and not think of anything else. I would read until I fell asleep and think about moving or unpacking or whatever it was I need to do when I woke up.

    by Tammy G. on April 13th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
    
    

17. Having raised two boys, I found that reading was one of the only things to keep me sane. I could “get away” for awhile in a book.:wink:

    by Joyce on April 13th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
    
    

18. I read, I eat chocolate, I listen to music, I talk to my kids and I pray.

    by marelou on April 13th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
    
    

19. I phone my girlfriend and talk her ear off; we discuss many things and are very open. I almost always feel better after ‘unloading’ on her.

    I lounge in the recliner with ‘nature’ music playing, puppy wuppy nestled next to me and shut my eyes and relax or fall asleep.

    by Robyn on April 14th, 2006 at 12:49 am
    
    

20. Sabrina, I remember moving into my last but one house when I was 8 months pregnant with my youngest!

    That was my best move ever- I did everything I could and then sat on the couch in the middle of all this mess surrounded with packing cases up to the ceiling on every side and sipped cooling drinks brought to me by the rough tough guys from the removal company, who couldn’t do enough for me. Seeing me huge and lumbering with swollen ankles etc etc really brought out the best in them!

    Back to work now- see you all later!

    And thank you for stopping by- it really lightens me when I’m up against the deadline wall to come and chat with you all here.

    Hugs ,
    Susan

    by Susan Stephens on April 14th, 2006 at 1:41 am
    
    

21. I read! lol That is my escape from reality and that’s what keeps me going!

    by Carol on April 14th, 2006 at 10:02 am
    
    

22. To keep myself sane:

    I like to have a nice relaxing meal or
    talk with friends or
    read a good book of course
    or watch a good movie

    by Karen on April 14th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
    
    

23. For peppermint foot lotion and because our feet tap to the same rhythm Sabrina you’re my winner today :grin:.

    Could you mail me please at susan@susanstephens.net with your address so I can get that prize sent out to you?? Thank you again.

    Thank you so much everyone for joining in and please don’t forget to pop back next month for another chance to win a prize (and see if the peppermint lotion worked!!!)

    Hugs to everyone from the UK and thank you again for joining in the fun!
    Susan

    by Susan Stephens on April 15th, 2006 at 9:29 am
    
    

24. Congrats Sabrina!

    Carol

    by Carol on April 15th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
    
    

25. WTG Sabrina congrats

    by Dena on April 17th, 2006 at 10:43 am
    
    

26. Hi Sabrina… could you send your snail mail so I can send out your prize?

    I move house next week and may be off-line for a week or so and I don’t want to keep you waiting!

    Either leave it here or mail me at susan@susanstephens.net

    Thank you!

    Susan

    by Susan Stephens on April 19th, 2006 at 2:03 am
    
    

27. If anyone has been trying to contact me on susan@susanstephens.net there has been a problem, but it has now been resolved.
    Sorry everyone!
    Susanxx

    by Susan Stephens on April 20th, 2006 at 10:35 am