My Stress List

I referenced my Stress List in the post about my Stress Less Journal last week. I wrote about it while ago, but like so many of the ideas I had a couple of years ago I have refined it a bit and can explain it in less words now :)

The Stress List is something that I use to purposefully identify the areas of stress in my own life. Because I noted that I had stress, I needed to identify where it was coming from. Writing it down helped me see what was up, and put a name to my 1000 little things that added up to a general overall feeling of being overwhelmed. It really works for me!

Even before that, though, I had to note what my stress felt like. I found that for me, stress was a tightness in my chest, a quesiness in my stomach, tight shoulders and a general sense of "yuck". I still do sometimes. I have learned the beginning of that feeling, and dont let it get to the point that I am totally overwhelmed very often..that is because I know what it feels like. I note it on purpose.

My Stress List is something that I make as a way to identify what is causing that feeling.  When I first started really focusing on what was causing my general feeling of stressed out, I did this on a very regular/daily basis.  Now that I am very familiar with what makes me feel that way, I dont have to inventory it quite as often. But, when I am feeling overwhelmed it is the first thing I do.

I put everything that is causing me stress ..from the dishes needing washed, to the budget needing caught up. I may be fretting over the relationship between two people I love, or that I am behind on my weekly Bible study. I may need to pay a bill, or make a grocery list.  I may be feeling overweight, or like the closet in the kids room is a mess.  I may be frustrated that their is mold in the shower, or that my husband and I havent gone on a date in a year.  I may be heart heavy that a friend is dying, or need to schedule a check up for my kids.

Whatever is weighing on me, I note it. No matter how small, or insignificant. No matter how huge or obvious. Sometimes I write it down, sometimes I dont.

Only when I can see what I am dealing with, can I attack it with gusto. Only then can I give it to God as the first step in getting rid of my stresses, one at a time.

I know God doesnt probably worry too much about my feeling fat, but he does love that I bring that feeling to him and ask him to rid me of it or give me the strength to do something about it.

 THEN, I can apply some Stress Strategies to the list!  We will look at some strategies that will help knock out those stresses a little bit a time ... get rid of it, get over it, get it done, get a new plan, get a new perspective, get control of it ..and then give it to God, again.

What is on your stress list today? No matter how small ....