TIME MANAGEMENT

I know that I have talked about this before, but I don't know how many of you that knows about it. In the late fall of 2011 I was diagnosed with stress related depression. Basically I was burnt out from too much everything. I'm sure many of you can relate to this. I have recieved therapy for this, payed for by my employer, which has helped none what so ever. I have also tried meds which has helped more. 

Recently I was recommended this book by a woman who holds a destressing class at our local doctor's office. I've only gotten as far as the first chapter, since each chapter has a set of homework that needs to be finished before taking the next step with the next chapter. 

The thing I've been working on so far, is to make decissions that help me destress in the long run rather than in the short term. When you are very stressed you make so many split second decissions that seems to be the easiest way out at the moment, but ends up adding to your stress in the long run. For example, saying yes to something because it relieves you of the stress of having to dissappoint someone, and then you end up stressing even more because in reality you can't or don't want to do what you said yes to. In the worst case scenario it leads to this person asking you again, because you said yes the first time, and you end up going through the whole situation multiple times.

Step one for me is to identify these situations where I make decissions that actually make things worse, and do the right thing next time. Sort of learning to go against your instincts (short term stress release). It's hard, but I already feel it working. 

So how does this relate to the subject of this blog- crafting? Obviously I have given my priorities a long hard thinkover. Is crafting stressing or destressing? And I have realised it's both. Is it worth the large portion of my time it takes up? Yes, it is! Am I willing to let something go to be able to craft? Yes, I am, and yes, I have. (The last time I sat down to watch a TV-show a certain time on a certain day was in 2008.)

My decissions for me as far as crafting goes is...
- I will stop putting preasure on myself to make layouts (something I've been doing a lot less of in the past year)
- I will quit a sub when I feel that it's putting preasure on me to make things just to use up the products
- I will not feel guilty when I don't finish something (goodbye old DD's!)
- I will not let anyone guilt trip me for making time for crafting while letting other things go
- I will not be making shit for free! If you want me to do something for you, you will pay me for my time and the products I use. 

I will be sticking with PL because I've never struggled to stay up to date. Layouts take much more work, and I will only make those when I feel like it. So here are a few more February pages from my album:

Don't you love the Sunday digi brush on the card above? It's part of a set from Kellie Stamps released this month. It includes the days of the week plus all the months of the year. I just love the design! Get it here! 

Take it easy people!

/Magdalena