Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is stressful….. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Stressful – something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety;
a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work
~ Merriam-Webster
I probably don’t need to remind you that we’re in a very stressful time of year. In addition to all of our usual responsibilities, we have Christmas decorations to put up, cards to get into the mail, shopping to do, baking to complete, menus to make – the list goes on and on!
Having been raised by a woman who could put Martha Stewart to shame on Christmas day, I have very big shoes to fill! Or should I say, perfectly-coordinated-to-my-Christmas-outfit shoes to fill.
Surprisingly, it’s not any of these things that cause stress for me. I’ve got this handled. Multiple lists, staying up later if necessary, grocery shopping at 6 AM on Christmas Eve – I was trained well. Heck, I can get more done than ten of Santa’s elves if I set my mind to it.
It’s the other interruptions into my busy schedule that cause stress. You know – the fun stuff. Case in point – my dear Cruiser friend Carolyn will be in town next week and is trying to get a lunch together so she can see as many Cruisers as possible in one stop. She suggested December 23 or after Christmas as proposed dates for lunch. What? Take the time two days before Christmas to enjoy a relaxing lunch with wonderful friends? Who has time for that?
Apparently most of the Cruisers do… I was one of only a couple of people who couldn’t do the 23rd, and that’s because they were traveling. So guess what! I’m going to put my big girl running shorts on, and join in on the fun. And yes, it’s guaranteed to be fun – it’s the Cruisers after all!
Afterward, I’ll plan even more meticulously, I’ll ask for help if I need it, and I might even let a few things slide by without getting done, but I am not going to miss out on the fun with the Cruisers just because it’s two days before Christmas, and I have a list of self-imposed things “that must be done.” Who needs that stress?
A fun side note to the picture I used in the Wednesday Word poster at the top of the page… While making drinks at a Cruisers party with my friend Alan, I realized we were using a Georgia Tech shot glass. GT’s football team causes me much stress every time my Hokies play them; and this particular picture was taken just four weeks after the No. 19 Yellow Jackets upset our No. 4 Hokies. Talk about stress!
What do you find stressful?
Grab My Button!
Next Wednesday’s Word: Joy
I’m a longtime weight watchers member & their big change is causing me stress trying to figure out how to work the program — most people I meet here, who have never seen me heavy, tell me I don’t look like I need WW. I reply that’s the point!
Anyway, I don’t agree with some of the changes, but I’d like to drop a few pounds, so I’m trying to roll with it.
Good for you for going to the lunch! 10 yrs from now you won’t remember what you didn’t get done, but I think you’ll remember that lunch!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Is it Stressful, or is it Empowering?
I am getting stressed over all the work I need to get done so I can relax! You made the right call on the lunch! I realized that I’m the only person stressing over the holidays, so I stopped! What gets done, gets done – we’ll still have plenty of food and plenty of fun.
Coco recently posted…Let Nothing You Dismay
Exactly!
What a great point you make about ten years from now, and of course you’re exactly right!
Good for you for rolling with the changes at WW. Perhaps after you get used to them, you’ll like the new way they do things.
This time of year can be so stressful! There are so many things you ‘need’ to do, and then there are things you want to do that pull you in all directions. I’m glad you decided to go to the lunch, though 🙂 I think that was the right decision!
The past couple of football seasons have been very stressful for me. This year Duke and UNC were especially stressful games – I can’t tak overtime! I keep waiting for us to have a break out season that will return us to our former glory. Maybe it’s not far away!
Meagan recently posted…A Stressful Long Run
Did you hear that Fuente has already gotten the number one junior college quarterback to commit to transferring to Virginia Tech? 😀 Hopefully, next fall will be less stressful, and I’m with you, I can’t take the overtimes.
I did! I have been following him closely, and I have to say I’m a fan so far!
This time of year is hugely stressful for me! But yep, I find time to have fun–last weekend’s Polar Express run and my work party were a blast!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…‘Tis the season to be stressed out…
You’re right, we’ve got to find time for the fun stuff. I think it’s the spur-of-the-moment stuff that freaks me out. 🙂
It is so stressful right now for everyone! This time of year it’s more important for me than ever to stick to my workout schedule. Happy Holidays!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…My Year Of Running 2015
Thank you, and to you, too! Are you guys going on a cruise again this year?
Trying to fit it all in is definitely stressful! I want to do everything this time of year – events with work, events with church, events with friends, family, etc. But then I realize on an evening when I have nothing going on, that I’m so relieved not to have to go somewhere or do something! So, I’m trying to be a little more choosey about what I say “yes” to this year. Yes to book club, but no to book club’s annual cookie exchange that meant spending an entire day baking!
Alison recently posted…The Circle: Christmas Tours & Traditions
Good point about choose the things that will take the least about of time prior to the event… Enjoy!
Glad you chose to join the Cruisers! Enjoy!! 🙂
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Don’t let stress be a thief
Thanks, I know I will; and it seems silly already that I would even consider skipping such a fun time!
This time of year is always stressful for me. Work is always super busy and add the holiday parties etc to the mix and it all gets out of hand really quickly. But, having fun is also important so good for you for taking the time to do that! 🙂
Phaedra @ Blisters and Black Toenails recently posted…A Weird Week & Some Good News
You’re exactly right – having fun is important, too. 🙂
I plan, worry and stress over that perfect Christmas experience until just a few days before — and then I let it all go. I reach that wonderful “It Is What It Is” point. It’s no fun if you can’t enjoy what you’ve created. Thanks for the link!
HoHo Runs recently posted…It’s Stressful To… (Holiday Version)
I’m definitely the same way, especially before dinner parties. I drive myself nuts making sure everything is perfect (to an extreme), but the second the first guests arrive, I chill. Perhaps it’s the few sips of wine that I have at that point that helps me chill…
It’s just another day in Stressville here! Yup I’m also planning a get away for just the hubs and I when you might ask? Over Christmas. Yup I”m de-stressing it all and I will more than likely have a glass or two of wine……. Glad to join in the link up! Thank you!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Why am I Stressed? Let’s Count the Reasons
I agree – travel during the holidays just adds to the stress!
Always happy to have you joining the fun!
Oh, I can SOOO relate! In fact, I have been kind of MIA from my blogging world due to the business of late. I have a mini blog post (composed/drafted in my head), I just have not 20 free minutes to get it on paper (so to speak). Stay tuned….hopefully later this afternoon you’ll see my link 😉
Kim Hatting recently posted…Santa Hats and Jingle Bells!
Of course, I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t had a chance to sit down to work on my blog until now, at 9:34 PM…
Blah…this time of year has me stressed. Work is rough, money, and the time needed to get runs in. Always a stressful time. My meditation is my loving family and knowing they will always be there.
Running schlub recently posted…Now That Was Epic
You couldn’t ask for better meditation! Hope you’ll join in on the fun and link up with us sometime!
This can def be a stressful time of year, and the days I do not get my runs in…watch out!
Lauren recently posted…It’s the Most Stressful Time of the Year
HaHa! I think that can be said about a lot of us!
what Stop the holiday madness and to do lists to have fun? No way! HA! Great post! Enjoy those cruisers! Sorry I am late! 🙂
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…The holidays can be STRESSFUL!
Better late than never! And yes, I do plan to enjoy my time with the Cruisers!
[…] Wednesday was filled with social activities… and lots of food. The Cruisers and I met for lunch at a favorite local fish shack, and were even seated on the patio (with the plastic walls rolled most of the way down. I had shrimp tacos and Bill had a lobstah salad, and I might have had a margarita with lunch, too. And yes, I survived the stress of lunch out with friends just two days before Christmas despite my earlier concerns! […]