Exercise, drinking tons of water, and (weirdly) showering! Gotta keep it fresh lol. Journaling and friendship are added safe places I like to visit liberally throughout the week. also, noticing trees - such a testament to growth over time. “If today sucks don’t worry, giants of beauty exist and are here for us!” etc etc. They help my mind come down from wherever the hell its lovely taste for drama loves to take it (off and away) 🍄 🧚🏼 🌳
Having given up all my most hedonistic habits, sadly, I am left with the basics-- sleep, eating well, walking as much as possible. I don't come from emotionally intelligent people, so I had to figure out how to weather my own emotional storms without any models to go on, and I have done that, mostly. Meaning, I don't turn my feelings into weapons to harm myself or others. This includes through my writing. But, I'll confess, I really thought there was some future reality when I would emotionally manage myself out of a job, so to speak. Like, I would become Zen eventually. Ha! At 53, I can safely say, that is never going to happen. Still, learning to witness my feelings with some detachment and without inflicting them on anyone or the world around me is the best brain hack I know. It doesn't make me the most efficient thinker or writer, but I can stand behind whatever I write or say, and that frees me up from a tremendous amount of anxiety, which otherwise tends to cloud my thinking.
Pilates twice a week, no matter what. In in the car, switched Sirius station to either (NY) Symphony Hall or Spa (serious rationing MSNBC). Sitting on porch listening to bird song (nine nests under the porch). My son is an awesome cook—we’re trying to savor slowly. And walking the goofy dog. Northern NH is a mosquito-and-tick playground, so for serious walking, we go to the seacoast towns for a day or two—deep breathing, salt air, horizon. Ferry Landing, Isaac! Trying to do absolute word counts each day. Sometimes new, sometimes revision, sometimes just garbage. The work doesn’t stop, ever. Yet. 📚
A combination of daily journaling (3pages) and daily walks, with at least 8 hours of sleep. If I can do that, everything feels more relaxed, I have more space to process my emotions and get fresh ideas:)
Exercise, drinking tons of water, and (weirdly) showering! Gotta keep it fresh lol. Journaling and friendship are added safe places I like to visit liberally throughout the week. also, noticing trees - such a testament to growth over time. “If today sucks don’t worry, giants of beauty exist and are here for us!” etc etc. They help my mind come down from wherever the hell its lovely taste for drama loves to take it (off and away) 🍄 🧚🏼 🌳
Having given up all my most hedonistic habits, sadly, I am left with the basics-- sleep, eating well, walking as much as possible. I don't come from emotionally intelligent people, so I had to figure out how to weather my own emotional storms without any models to go on, and I have done that, mostly. Meaning, I don't turn my feelings into weapons to harm myself or others. This includes through my writing. But, I'll confess, I really thought there was some future reality when I would emotionally manage myself out of a job, so to speak. Like, I would become Zen eventually. Ha! At 53, I can safely say, that is never going to happen. Still, learning to witness my feelings with some detachment and without inflicting them on anyone or the world around me is the best brain hack I know. It doesn't make me the most efficient thinker or writer, but I can stand behind whatever I write or say, and that frees me up from a tremendous amount of anxiety, which otherwise tends to cloud my thinking.
How do get/stay grounded? I crochet (which Isaac knows 🙂). I enjoy creating something with my hands.
Pilates twice a week, no matter what. In in the car, switched Sirius station to either (NY) Symphony Hall or Spa (serious rationing MSNBC). Sitting on porch listening to bird song (nine nests under the porch). My son is an awesome cook—we’re trying to savor slowly. And walking the goofy dog. Northern NH is a mosquito-and-tick playground, so for serious walking, we go to the seacoast towns for a day or two—deep breathing, salt air, horizon. Ferry Landing, Isaac! Trying to do absolute word counts each day. Sometimes new, sometimes revision, sometimes just garbage. The work doesn’t stop, ever. Yet. 📚
Waking up early.
A combination of daily journaling (3pages) and daily walks, with at least 8 hours of sleep. If I can do that, everything feels more relaxed, I have more space to process my emotions and get fresh ideas:)