Dealing with Stress

I’ll admit it. I’m stressed. This isn’t a surprise given the world-wide pandemic, but here in the U.S., the election rages on. It’s hard to ignore the news, especially when friends and family call/text with updates and opinions. Anyway, I’ve been doing what I can to lower my stress by turning away from the Internet and Twitter and turning towards more relaxing pursuits.

O[image error]ne of my favorite things, especially this time of year when there’s a chill in the air, is a nice-smelling candle. I like spicy scents, so I bought a candle called ‘oak and amber’ and another called ‘bonfire’. I recently watched a YouTube video about home decorating, and the Youtuber recommended candles to set a cozy mood.

Okay, now that the cozy mood has been set, I’m ready to knit. I knit a lot. I like the zen-like state that the activity puts me in. It keeps my hands busy so that I can mull over trouble spots in my latest WIP (work-in-progress), or even plot out a new novel.

[image error]My birdfeeders supply me with calm entertainment. I have several and I like watching them almost as much as my cat, Yoshi, does. Currently, we have a thieving squirrel who goes after the suet. I admire his acrobatics. Boy, that squirrel can jump!

When all else fails, I go for a walk. Lola is a great walking companion, and the weather has been perfect. Now that I’m in the country, I have plenty of wooded trails to choose from. When I’m in nature, I feel like everything is going to be okay. The sun will rise tomorrow. [image error]