Welcome back to Austen Promises and the Writer’s Journal!
I need to warn you that this is one of those posts I have mentioned before that has affiliate links in it. Clicking them costs you nothing, but may earn me a small payment. 🙂
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As a writer and small business owner, I face a lot of stress. I’ve written about some of it before. From making covers to meeting deadlines to taking care of my dog and house, there’s something stressing me out at every corner. Since I know stress is not good for me, I need to find ways to combat it.
One of the things I do to counter stress is read. I have several “go-to” JAFF books that I can pick up, though most often, I read Linda Wells’ Memory series. There are also a few stories on forums that I like to read when I’m stressed. I like to read my own books, too, and those of Rose and Leenie. It’s probably not a good thing to like your own books so much you read them repeatedly, but I write what I like, so it just makes sense that I like to read my own books. LOL
Sometimes, I get a physical need to read. I don’t know that I can explain it, but I liken it to needing chocolate or alcohol or drugs. I have to have it to go on. ~shrug~ I’m odd sometimes. LOL
Another thing I have begun doing to relieve stress is to crochet. My Italian grandma, who came to the U.S. when she was two, taught me. She taught my sister how to knit, but Sis didn’t keep up with it. I, however, was hooked. LOL Sorry for that pun right there. 😉
I used to crochet all the time. I’ve made clothing items, toys, kitchen items, rugs, Christmas decorations … almost anything you can think of. I’ve also designed my own basic sweaters. They weren’t good enough to really share, but I love them. <3
I started crocheting again recently with the vague idea of one day using what I have made as another stream of income. However, I saw a sweater pattern on Facebook that I loved, and so I signed up for the designer’s newsletter to get it. (How’s that for a tie-in to writing … a designer of crocheted items has a “reader magnet.” LOL) Anyway, I made one and gave it to a friend for her birthday, then made an identical one for me. I have one step to do to finish a third sweater and am ready to begin number four. Both three and four will be given as presents, as will five and six. After that, I can make another for me. LOL
I may add some of these sweaters to my crochet shop when I set it up. I can do that, according to the designer’s website, as long as I state I made it from her pattern and link back to her site. That’s easy enough to do, and I want to keep it legal, so I’ll be doing it.
I realized as I looked this over that I didn’t say that crochet relaxes me so much that I often fall asleep over my hook. It hasn’t happened in a long time, but I’ve also not crocheted in very comfortable places. LOL
Another thing that I do to unwind is watching NASCAR racing. It’s not as enjoyable as it used to be, and honestly, if they take away the roar of the engines, I’m done with them. I’m on the fan council, and I’m not afraid to tell the organization to take a flying leap. I guess I should really build up the SCRA organization in my racing series, because at some point, it might be the only racing I get outside of YouTube videos of old races. 🙁
I’ve been known to nod off during races, as well, when I’m sitting in my recliner. Ask Rose. Bahahaha!
There are other things that help me relieve stress, like sitting at the lake and listening to the waves lap the shore, walking my yard (though that’s not as quiet as I’d like it to be), and exercise. However, they are not what I’m drawn to the most when I’m stressed.
What do you do to relieve stress?
Come back next Wednesday for another peek into my journal! <3
