Like I've said again and again, I stress. A LOT. All the time. Even when I'm happy, I'm stressing about when this flood of happiness will dry up and leave me feeling overwhelmed again.
Stressing is bad. Very very bad. I pick at my hands and nails. I scratch my face, my legs, and the backs of my arms. I crack and crack and crack. I fidget and fidget and fidget. At least there's one good thing that comes from my stress.
I get tons and tons and tons and tons and tons and tons and tons of opportunities to experiment with new coping skills and write about all it! If you're struggling with managing stress and anxiety, too, keep reading...
Life Hacks for Stressed People
1. Pretend Someone's As Awkward As You
Stressing about something embarrassing you did in public? Like tripping on your way to your seat? Pretend you saw someone else do that. Are you really going to think about that person falling for the rest of the school year? Are you really going to think about how clumsy and awkward they are? Of course not. You have more important things to think about. Let's be honest...yes, people might stare for a second, but they'll move on fast because many people are stressing about what others think of them.
In this case, that's a good thing! Imagine how embarrassed Mochi would feel if Bao paid any attention to her wild galloping and other morning crazies. Bao could care less; she's too focused on dominating the household (whatever you do, NEVER try to scoot Bao off your lap unless you're ready to suffer the consequences...).
2. What's the worst that could happen?
Put your situation in perspective and ask yourself (ALOUD), "What's the worst that could happen?" I stress a lot about tests. I like to ask myself this and talk it through, either with someone else like my sister, or on my own.
What's really the worst that could happen? Somehow, I didn't study enough for a Biology quiz. It's only one quiz. It doesn't affect my grade much and I can more than make up for it throughout the semester. But what if...my grade takes a steep dive, too steep to save? I do summer school. But what if...that's not enough and I can't graduate? I find a minimum-wage job. But what if...they don't want me either? I live with my sister (I hope!).
PS: This doesn't work all the time. You can't come back from everything, like accidentally writing your computer password on a sticky note and leaving it out in the open on your desk, allowing Bao and Mochi to log into your computer, learn hacking overnight, and steal all your money, allowing them to buy a yacht and sail to Santorini to gather a gang of cats to overtake the police, then the government, and then the world, doing so by bribing them will cuddles and free baths.
3. Reread Messages with Positive Tones
Nowadays, many people prefer texting or emailing rather than face-to-face conversation. Sure, it can be more convenient. However, there's one drawback that's difficult to ignore: what's the message's tone? Often, I email teachers and they respond back with brief, straight-to-the-point messages like, "That's fine."
Sometimes, I start to overthink and add tone to their messages in my head. I even add on what I think they're thinking. Did she mean it like, "Looks average, adequate, nothing special, fine?"
There's really no point in making their message more than it actually is. I try to remind myself that teachers are busy and only have time for short replies. There's no way of knowing what they were thinking or feeling as they replied or how they intended the message to be read, so why not read it exactly as it is or better yet, reread it in an even more positive way?
"That's fine!! Looks good! Right on track!"
PS: Sometimes, following this tip can be dangerous. Be warned...
The other day, I was sleeping and awoke at 5:30 am to a text from Bao. She typed, "Feed Me," but I was sure she'd actually meant, "I love you so much! I'll wait out here behind your bedroom door for however long you need. I'm grateful for food at any hour! Take your time!" Awwww, what a cutie. She's getting a little hungry. I'll sleep a couple more hours. So I did.
Bao: Crazy Hooman. Did I speak too softly? What I really meant was "FEED MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"
At 11:00 am, I woke up and I went downstairs to feed her. The entire time I was opening her tuna can, I could feel her eyes burning into my skin. Suddenly, it felt cold. Too cold. I turned around and looked at her. She's staring at me. She's...she's...planning something.
Bao: Crazy Hooman. What's the warmest bum warmer in town?
NO. YOU wouldn't?!
Bao: OH YES I WOULD.
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