Thursday, April 21, 2011

What I Mean When I Say "Tired"

I'm feeling a little stress. We all do from time to time. Mine is usually brought on by my own hand, that is I cause stress for myself.

Undue stress, for the most part. I'm tired of it.

I've never really wanted to consider myself a "type-A" personality, but there you have it. (please oh please let me be an A- at least)

Stress makes for lousy writing sessions. Stress makes for neurotic checking of email and Kindle sales and publishing contracts and email and Twitter and email (did I mention email?). Stress makes for lack of sleep. Lack of sleep makes for tired. Tired makes for a cranky Aaron.

So what do you do? How do you manage stress in your life?

11 comments:

Cate Gardner said...

CHOCOLATE... Of course, then I stress about my weight ;)

Aaron Polson said...

I think I'll have some right now.

Martin Rose said...

Drinking. That's a popular one. The other times, I'll set myself a new writing project -- usually one that is contingent on nothing more than my complete enjoyment -- no plot, no sense of direction, just forget about the world . . .

Aaron Polson said...

Martin - Drink would be a good sleep aid...

Ricky Bush said...

Deep looong breaths. Get up and move, move, move and exercise a bit. Listen to my blues collection and blow a little harmonica along with 'em. And, find a publisher for my manuscript who won't go out of business next year.

Aaron Polson said...

Best of luck, Ricky. I'll take some of those deep, loooooong breaths.

Fox Lee said...

As soon as I figure out how, I'll tell you!

EC said...

Hi Aaron,

There seems to be a dark mood (stress induced anxiety, depression, etc.) crossing many writers' blogs lately. We writers are easy prey.

I try various things to combat, chocolate and drink go together well, but a walk in nature, (not a city park, but the real thing) almost always resets my thoughts and helps me get back on track.

Go type-A's!

Katey said...

I make lists, which soothes the Type-A part of me.

I listen to really loud music.

I read something new.

And I'm not gonna lie, a drink, like Martin up their said. Not sloppy fall down drunk, which never helped anyone, but a few glasses of wine with dinner or a martini before it or something.

I should go on record by saying this self-medicating works for me because I am an unfailingly happy drinker. I know people who get depressed from it, and yeah. Not a good idea, man.

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Sex and cartoons. Sometimes together.

K.C. Shaw said...

I handle stress really badly and I tend to be a type-A personality too, so all I can offer you is sympathy. I do recommend going to see a stupid-fun movie at the theater and eating lots of popcorn. At least it gives you two hours to relax.