First, I got to hang out with my good friend and critique partner Ali Cross at the launch of her YA novel BECOME. And since I brought my second son along, I got a mini-date too. The party was incredibly fun. Ali's main character Desi rocks in the ninja-moves department and so there were karate shows and a sweet bow-staff demonstration at the launch. My son and I had a great time.
Second, I went shopping by myself that night. What made this even more blissful, besides being in my own little cocoon of quiet as I roamed the store at will, was I told myself I wasn't going to get all the Christmas shopping done in one night so I just needed to enjoy the time to myself and do what I could/felt like. And I did.
Third, I bought myself a chocolate treat - the good Swiss kind. These Toblerone chocolates with nuts are delicious and can be found at most grocery stores.
All in all, positive outlook was restored, stress levels were contained, and thankfully the sickies are all on the mend!
What do you do to turn around a bad day/week? What keeps your stress levels down?
34 comments:
I love what you did--shopping, chocolate and good friends! I'd take any:)
First, I think you have a new profile picture up and it's just gorgeous! If not, I'm a horrible observer, should never be allowed to write and all that horrid stuff.
Second, how fun you were at the launch of your CPs release!
When I've had a bad day/week, I usually call my girlfriends and go out for dinner and laughs. Or I like to go to a movie.
Glad your fam is on the mend!
Ah, shopping alone. I like the sound of that.
Usually a good workout is the best way for me to bite stress back.
And so cool about chilling w/ Ali!
~ Wendy
Terri - Sending you all three through cyperspace! :)
Jess - You're right - it is a new profile pic. Thanks! A movie is a great stress-reducer too.
Wendy - The launch party was super fun and so-like Ali and her book. I loved it.
Getting out of the house for an hour or so. That always helps me. Or reading. Or going to a girls night. ;) Glad the kids are on the mend!
Sorry everyone has been sick.
WOW, that sounds so fun. I am dying to read Become. And shopping by yourself sounds blissful. Also, I LOVE Toblerone.
Chantele - Yes, reading is a huge stress release for me too.
Jenny - Yea, another Toblerone fan. :) I can't wait to dive into my copy of Become. I read bits and pieces in critique group, but it's always fun to see how the final story came out.
I love shopping by myself! I don't mind the hustle and bustle going on around me...I'm in my own world.
Chocolate...there's no better stress reliever. They should just put up a sign over the candy aisle - STRESS RELIEF!
Love your new picture!!
Yay for chocolate! Your profile pic is beautiful and quiet definitely lowers my stress. Add in chocolate and I'm good to go. *grin*
Ah, toblerone are a Christmas favorite around here. Congratulations to your friend, Ali! It sounds like she had a very creative book launch. For me, I've come to enjoy a hot bath and a good book for stress relief. Of course, if it's a really good book, I come out of the bath looking like a prune. :)
Glad to hear your family is on the mend.
Loree - I love it - putting a STRESS RELIEF sign over the chocolate aisle.
Jessica - You're sweet. Thanks!
Sandra - A hot shower and a book help me, but not together. :)
I love doing ANYTHING by myself :) That's a little bit sad when I think about it.
I've heard nothing but great things about Ali's book. How fun :) And I love your new profile picture.
How fun!!! I can't believe that Ali Cross is your crit partner! So cool. And I heard her book launch was awesome. I wish I could have been there.
As for me... when I need stress relief, it's time out, chocolate or a chick flick :)
Mmmm, chocolate! I let myself indulge today while doing some shopping for Christmas. One thing I find myself doing lately is reading magazines. For some reason, they give just enough to distract myself and take that much needed downtime to re-energize.
Coffee and chocolate work for me ... I've never had a Toblerone, but it looks divine :)
If I could just remember to take a moment to put it all in perspective - that's the key to getting stress levels down, I think. chocolate definitely helps too! :)
yay for Ali!!! I hope someday to meet some blogger friends in real life! - at their book parties (or mine). (or both!)
Shopping in your own cocoon - such a nice image. And, as a mother, so wonderful!
I, too, think your new profile pic is just beautiful :)
Cool hang with Ali! I like to be with friends too. And chocolate never hurts...which reminds me, do I have any left around here?
Angela - Not sad. :) Those breaks are needed.
Leigh - I totally agree - having Ali as a crit partner and friend is pretty cool. :)
Cindy - I enjoy magazines too.
Joanne - Toblerone tastes as good as it looks!
Margo - You're absolutely right! Putting things into perspective is such a great tool to combat stress!
Kim - My husband gave me props for using cocoon in a post because I'm always saying things like "those shoes are building a cocoon there - they need to be put away."
Jessie - I hate running out of chocolate because then I'm forced to eat chocolate chips and they just don't cut it. :D
You had me at shopping and chocolate. :) So glad you had a nice break, Stacy!
Book parties, shopping, and chocolate. You are totally de-stressed, lady!
Sarah - Might have to make that combination a regular thing.
Elana - You got that right! :)
I agree! Haven't tried the chocoloate. Looks yummy. I hope you feel better.
E. Arroyo - Thanks! We're definitely on the upswing to full health again. :)
A toblerone or duct tape will fix just about anything.
Well, unless you're writing.
But it would help with the stress, and to muffle the screaming . . .
Jolene - Ha,ha! Growing up my dad attempted to fix most things with duct tape. Haven't tried it with stress, though. :)
*swoon* I love shopping by myself. Complete bliss. Add in a latte and I'm in heaven.
Love the pic of you and Ali! So proud of her!!!
I've seen those Toblerones in stores but never tried one! Must buy next time I see it!
Pk Hrezo - I'm proud of Ali, too! That girl is fearless and awesome. :)
Jennifer - Hope you like them too.
I've got Crossed on my iPod. Looking forward to reading it.
Chocolate and exercise works great for me when dealing with stress. And writing. :D
Stina - Reading, excercise and writing are great stress fighters for me too!
Funny thing? Scouts. By the time Thursday rolls around, I am feeling so behind in my week and completely stressed out and having a bunch of wolves at my house is just one. more. thing.
And then they all come over, and when they leave, I'm feeling revived. Crazy? Yes. I think so every single time.
Peggy - That's awesome that helping with scouts helps keep you going. What a blessing!
Chocolate always works great :) I'm practicing breathing exercises and meditation, and it helps me a lot :)
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