The sound of 2017 is the whiz of the wind past trains headed to the city and you’re part of that bustle. Life is busy and loud and there are due dates, reservations to be made, and hearts to keep from breaking. It’s complicated and hard and it’s easy to get lost in the rambles and thorns of everyday life. But don’t give up hope, take a deep breath and consider these simple cures for the stress of daily living…
1. Go to the library
It’s crazy how ancient the concept of going to the library is but it’s easy to do and perfect for giving yourself a breath of fresh air. It’s commitment-free because there’s not pressure of buying a book (like a bookstore) and it’s blissfully quiet.
2. Check out the tiny cafés in your town
Sure Starbucks is great in a pinch but if you even have a spare 10 minutes in your day, duck into the small café squished between the shoe store and the post office and order your favorite drink or something you’ve never tried. The ingenuity of changing your routine for some “me time” will have you thinking clearer.
3. Try out a new recipe
Even if you don’t bake or cook, the process of preparing your own meal will bring you great feelings of accomplishment. My favorite thing to do is to play some good music (peep Spotify’s many cooking playlists) and make dinner!
4. Put your phone away when you get into bed
It’s so easy to get sucked into the depths of Facebook posts and trending tweets, but is it worth it when it keeps you up until 1 a.m.? No! Sleep is important and staying on your phone until the wee hours of morning shouldn’t be a thing.
5. Prep your meals for the next day
This is something that I personally struggle with but every time I do it, my morning is monumentally less stressful.
6. Keep a notebook nearby
It doesn’t even have to be a physical paper notebook, even using the app on your phone works just as well. This way, you can write down little notes, doodles, thoughts, and ideas throughout the day.
7. Be okay with the imperfect
If a task feels done and you’re proud of the work but it’s not perfect—maybe a few words under the word limit, a trip planned with a day left blank, a list that stops at 7 instead of a nice even 10…. Imperfect does not mean unfinished and it’s okay to be done and happy with something that isn’t flawless.
If none of these cures help you feel calmer then don’t stress, not all is lost. Just take another breath and another step forward and keep on keeping on.
