Sanity Savers

I'm overwhelmed at the moment. With work and life. To the point of tears.

Don't worry. This isn't a whining blog. We all get overwhelmed at times so I know I'm in good company.

I've been filling in for the morning shift guy while he's been on jury duty for a month. And at the same time, I got assigned four major shows that will all hit in the next two weeks. I'm working long days. No days off. I get home in time to eat dinner before I have to go to bed so I can get up at 3:00 AM to do it again. It's starting to wear on me a bit.

I find I get a little more nuts—i.e., whiny, cranky, bitchy, teary, sanctimonious, etc.—when I don't take a few minutes for stuff that centers me.

These are my Sanity Savers

A Time Limit: I know the trial my co-worker is on will be done this week and my shows will be done in two weeks. So, it might be a hellish few days but two weeks from today, it's done. I'll cling to that and start checking off days.

Knitting: Spending even a few minutes with my needles and yarn seems to calm something in my soul. I don't even know if it's the act of knitting or just being in my house, alone. I'm your basic introvert so this is the perfect way to re-energize.

Friends: This is one often adds to my busy days because I have to take time to see them but it really does help. I've got three meetings for coffee or breakfast this week. It's on my calendar and I'll just slip away from work for a few minutes and come back calmer.

Writing: I particularly feel this one. When I'm so busy with the day job that I don't have time to write, it weighs on me. Not really a conscious thing but I just get discontented with life. Then I spend a few hours with my characters and suddenly my mind is working again. I've got happy little voices in my head. Doesn't always help with the day job but it makes the time much more entertaining.

So what do you do to save your sanity when you're overwhelmed with the pressures of life? I'm always looking for something new to try.