Wednesday 25 March 2009

Need to unclutter

These few days I feel I'm on the verge of burning out yet I cannot allow myself to unwind. Talking to best friend yesterday helped a little. Like I've always said, she's so good at managing stress, she makes me look like a maniac in comparison.

Of course it helps that she has 2 domestic maids to deal with the housework and parents to help with the kids and meals but still, she's the kind who exudes calm even under the most trying conditions.

I remember how she stood by me when my ex was fighting bitterly for custody of the kids. I almost crumbled under pressure and gave in, but she stepped in and whipped me back into shape again. I'm forever thankful for that. Growing up with her, I always thought she would make the perfect wife.

So she was dishing out sound advice again yesterday. "Maybe you can eat out once a week instead of cooking everyday?" she said. Well, she's right. I bought some cooked food on the way home yesterday evening and found myself with more time to relax at night. That's a good start.

I've come to realise that I've inherited mum's anxiety gene though I had always vehemently denied it. If I have a task to do, no matter how insignificant it is, I just cannot ignore it. In the past, I used to walk around with a to-do list but since I've aborted this habit, I keep a list in my head now. I input every new task into my little brain, the anxiety level builds up until I'm walking with a permanent frown on my forehead.

YK often tells me I get uptight over little things. After helping him with an errand yesterday, he said "You know what? You like to kick up a fuss like helping me with this errand. But see, it's not that difficult what. Then you nag, nag, nag, before, during and after the errand. You must learn to relax mah."

Well, he has a point. Why did I get so uptight over a small errand? Like the way I get so anxious over the meals and housework. Afterall, nobody really cares if the beds are unmade or Rusty's fur is all over the rug.

Chill mama! Learn to relax and unclutter your mind.

10 comments:

k@Ye_ said...

Me too, also get uptight easily.. Been telling myself to relax too...

I think your sons wont fault you for not cooking everyday! :)

Blur Ting said...

The kids will be happy if I tapau everyday! I try not to cos outside food is very salty.

Fresh Fry aka 福星 said...

hehehe.....coming from a mom who's a neat and nervouse freak, yes, i'd rather my mom to be calmer than anything. 'cos she irritates everyone when she's in that Kan-Cheong Spider mode.

did i mention she speaks like she's shouting in whichever mode? double stress.

Blur Ting said...

Haha, kan cheong spiderwoman?

Hehe, my mum is anxious but lucky she is soft spoken.

Anonymous said...

Yup reading your posts abt yr cooking feats makes me wonder how u manage to do it and still do other things. Even with a maid (whose primary task is to look after my mum), we make do with just two dishes: one meat or fish and one veg or soup. Often, we make do with just a one dish meal and if there's no veg, we just load up on fruits. Try it sometime?

Blur Ting said...

Auntie Lucia - The trouble with me is, since I'm already cooking, might as well stir fry a couple more dishes. The cooking takes mere minutes, it's the washing up thereafter that takes time. Then again, the few minutes here and there all add up.

The Real Mother Hen said...

Yeah slow down, it'll be good for your heart too.

Anonymous said...

TT, you are already the calmest ever soul I have come across! Everyone must feel stressed juggling work and family responsibilities so don't be self critical.

Petunia Lee said...

Actually, I have wondered how you go to work, run a business, rush home to vacuum the house and then have time to cook up a storm plus help out at parties.

All with no maid.

"Wow!" doesn't even BEGIN to describe it.

Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022) said...

I agree, chill out a little :D But I'm guilty if this too at times and I'm a guy some more ... LOL!

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