Realizing the Consequences of Stress-Induced Choices
@bethvogt
I’ve been thinking about getting a puppy.
This may come as a surprise to some of you have seen photos of our dog, Jo, in my Instagram feed or my Facebook page. This may also come as a bit of a surprise to Jo.
Jo belongs to Christa, my youngest daughter, who’s heading off to college in seven weeks. Seven weeks.
Yeah. Not thinking about that right now.
Back to Jo. Jo is named for Josephine March of Little Women fame. Jo was a rescue puppy, found in an alley in a box during a rainstorm, along with her three sisters and brother. The puppies were named: Meg, Jo, Amy, Beth and – wait for it – Chubbs. For those of you who’ve never read Little Women, there is no Chubbs in that novel.
Christa is Jo’s person, but when my daughter’s not around, Jo hangs out with me while I write. Or snuggles up with me when I nap. Or goes along on walks with me and Christa’s dad.
So why … why … why, when we have Jo, am I thinking about getting a puppy?
Some people respond to stress by eating chocolate. Or going shopping. Or exercising more. Or getting a massage.
I’ve done all of these things in response to increased life-pressures.
But when my worries bust the ol’ stress-o-meter, I want a puppy. The thought of cuddling a bundle of fur in my arms just seems like the perfect anxiety antidote.
I’ve gone online and looked at rescue sites. This week I even texted my vet and asked him if he knew of anyone who had puppies available for adoption. I’ve discussed whether I want a rescue versus a particular breed.
But so far, I haven’t gotten a puppy.
Why not?
Because I’m trying not to let stress make decisions for me.
It’s not about getting a puppy or not getting a puppy. It’s about who’s in charge of my life right now: me or the stress?
Stress has a funny way of wanting to drive our decisions. Of yelling loudly, “Do this. And this. And this. And do it right now!”
But the consequences of making stress-induced choices is rarely pleasant like a cuddly puppy. Or fun. Or humorous.
We do things like deciding to get a super-short haircut after a bad breakup. (Not that I would have any experience with something like that. And besides, I was 19 at the time.) Or overspending the budget. Or overeating. Or saying words that can’t be unsaid.
The truth is, puppies are adorable – and they also have to be housebroken and trained to sit and to stay and to not to chew our favorite shoes. And all of that is its own kind of pressure.
And so, while in the moment, a puppy sounds so right … right now it’s the stress talking.
And I’m going to plug my ears and ignore every time the stress whispers, “Get a puppy. You’ll feel better.” I’m choosing to concentrate on managing my stress – and one of the best things to do is to not say yes to another thing – especially something that needs me to get up with it in the middle of the night.
Realizing the Consequences of Stress Induced Choices http://bit.ly/2RQ1b5C #stress #perspective
Click To Tweet
'You can't always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside.' Quote by Wayne Dyer http://bit.ly/2RQ1b5C #stress #choices
Click To Tweet
SUMMER E-BOOK SALE! Moments We Forget is only $1.99! It’s book two in my Thatcher Sisters Series and readers have called the story “unforgettable,” a “must-read,” and “poignant.”
Summer #ebook #sale! Moments We Forget, by award-winning author @bethvogt, is only $1.99! Readers have called it “unforgettable,” a “must-read,” and “poignant.” https://buff.ly/2uzRAVM @Crazy4Fiction #WomensFiction
Click To Tweet
