Are you exhausted from this election cycle?
I am.
I am tired of the name calling, the prognostications, and the analysis ad nauseam.
I am also a little physically tired from having been an election poll worker yesterday. I am honored and glad to do it, but it is a very long day.
I am also emotionally tired from holding an annoyance towards a co-worker.
Have you ever been upset with a family member, colleague or social group member? To the point that it is hard to be around that person. You find that your whole demeanor changes. My interactions with her have come to the point, that I am so annoyed, I just want other people to know the situation, to see how annoyed I am and then I want them to agree that I have every right to be annoyed. What childish behavior!
As I was struggling with my emotions, I was reminded of how my mother-in-law behaved. When she was annoyed by a person or situation, she just gave it time. Sometimes it is good to take a break- both in relationships and/or in activities.
Having given myself some time, I do not feel as annoyed, nor do I feel justified in having to say what I wanted to say in the initial aftermath. I am grateful that I didn’t impulsively lash out as I wanted to because I do care for this person, and do not want to ruin the relationship. Someday, I might have a discussion with her about the situation or, I might just let it go.
In the aftermath of this election, I hope that both sides take a reprieve. Give each other space and time. To recognize the similarities that bring us together as Americans and think about our collective relationship.
And so, I thought you might like a reprieve of some sorts.
What do you do to take a break from everything? Read a book? Listen to music? Watch a specific genre of movies or television series? Go for a hike? Write in a journal?
Lately, when I need a little break from everything I go swimming. The first lap in the water is always a shocker. I am not the plunge right-in type of gal but I do it nonetheless. I’ll hop in the shallow end and push off with a warm-up breast stroke.
The thing is, once I get into a rhythm and let my mind wander (which is the point of this stress reliever), I cannot keep track of how many laps I am doing. I finally figured out that I do about ½ mile in 30 minutes. So, instead of keeping track of laps, I have a visual timer that, even I, with my myopic eyes can see the clock and know that 30 minutes is up.
My 30 minute reprieve is usually enough to reset my emotional equilibrium.
I also find that listening to music, helps set my emotional tone. I love all types and genres of music but for some reason, Norah Jones will always lift my mood and give me a little reset. I can feel the tension/anxiety dissolve with either Mozart’s clarinet concerto in A- Adagio or Ennio Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe. (Click below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jYtRQ2tHGg&list=RD6jYtRQ2tHGg&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpDq4Wu2f0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7w-IeNR9ko
What about you? What resets your equilibrium? How would you give yourself a reprieve? Either from a situation, a person, or an attitude?
The thing about a reprieve- it doesn’t remove the issue, but gives one time to gain perspective. What can you do today to give yourself some perspective?
From a recent walk in the Eastern Townships of Canada.