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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Top Ten Ways to Quiet Your Demons.

Everyone (at least everyone I know), has demons to slay. Whether it's a little voice telling you you're not good enough or a bad memory that refuses to stay buried, chances are good that every once in a while, you need to escape from the monsters that inhabit your mind.

I know I do.

So here, for your reading pleasure, are my top ten ways to get those nasty little buggers to shut the heck up:

I call my mom. Yes, really. There's something about the sound of her voice that calms me down, even if all we do is talk about something as inconsequential as the weather.

I shop. Is there anything better than retail therapy? I don't think so. I used to dust off the credit cards and go shopping for reals, but now that I'm older, wiser and in debt (not to mention an hour away from the nearest real mall), I just log on to my favorite store and fill up the ol' shopping cart before clicking out. It's almost as satisfying. Really.

I hug my husband. Like cozying up under a nice, warm blanket, but better. For some reason, that man continues to love me—and he assures me he always will. Yep, he's a crazy mofo.

I bake something chocolate. The ooier and gooier the better. The formula I use to calculate how decadent said dessert should be goes something like this:  Amount of psychic trauma + loudness of obnoxious demon  — length of time until next weigh-in = appropriate recipe.

I grab a purring kitty. I know there are a lot of cat haters out there, but for my money there's little in this world as relaxing as the sound of that purr. And since my cat is getting on toward the elderly side, he's usually more than happy to plop down on my lap for an hour or two.

I beat the crap out of myself at the gym. Some of my best workouts take place when I'm trying to outrun those dang demons. Sure, I feel like hell the next day, but it's worth it.

I call a friend. I'm lucky enough to have a few true blue lady loves who I know I can call anytime, day or night. Sure, they might be annoyed at being woken up, but they get over it quickly enough. Especially since it's only a matter of time until I return the favor.

 I lose myself in a book.  As any real bookworm will attest, nothing can take you away from the problems of your real life faster than a good book. And I? Am nothing if not a bookworm.

I lose myself in Tori's world. In her life? The biggest problems involve finding the best route to chase the kitty and figuring out how to stack those darn blocks. Those are problems I am happy to help her solve.

And when all else fails? I take some Tylenol PM and go to sleep. Drug-induced slumber will conquer the most determined of demons, after all. What? It's not like I said I drink myself into a stupor (at least, not often)...

Now go visit Oh Amanda and see what the other Top Ten Tuesday participants have to say.

8 comments:

  1. Yup. Those are all good ways to lose yourself.
    Nice. I like it. :)

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  2. Love these suggestions. You forgot eating massive amounts of cookies. Oh wait. That's on my list.

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  3. I needed this post today. I was just commenting on something I REALLY want to do but that voice in my head keeps telling me Im not good enough and can't do it and. . . .

    I think I'm going to back some gooey brownies. Should shut that voice up. . . for a little while. . . .

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  4. I'm with you on baking chocolately things and beating myself up at the gym. Those two things together make me feel fantastic, even if it's only for a little while.

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  5. Except for the kitten (I have pugs, and they are the best cuddlers), I completely agree :-)

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  6. Might I say, my jaw drops at your healthy coping skills.

    I'll keep mine to myself.

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  7. Our copy mechanisms are a lot alike. You are so blessed to have a comfort mom! My #1 choice is a a book and a bath! A long bath! My boys definitely won't come in there:)

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  8. I'm w/you on the book! Also a movie and definitely sleep! I also try to focus on an uplifiting song or scripture! It helps me to hear the refrain over and over again!

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