4 ways to stay sane

Ever feel like you’re going crazy? Ever feel like you have no idea what’s going on? Ever feel like the world is flip-turned upside down? Just me? That’s cool. But I’ve come to find some ways to help me turn my life right-side up without having to do anything extreme. In fact, these are all things I can do everyday – even all four in one day!

1. get outside

You don’t have to do anything crazy while you’re out there, but think about it, when was the last time you spent real time outside? With the invention of cars, office buildings, and houses, you spend up to like 80% of your time inside surrounded by fake, dead things. Your computer and phone are made of plastic. Your couch and mattress are probably synthetic. Where are real and alive things? Outside. Trees, birds, grass (or weeds), squirrels, rocks, dirt, opossums, flowers. And all of these things show you something about Jesus. He’s out there, in your back yard. In the breeze, in the stillness, in the noise, in the beauty, in the humor. One time, I watched my backyard squirrels running across the power lines. The first squirrel runs a bit and stops suddenly while the second squirrel runs into the rear-end of the first squirrel. Hilarious. What good for my soul.

2. read more books

Last year’s new year’s resolution was to read a book a month. I tend to keep going with things if they work, so this year, I kept reading at least a book a month. So far, I’ve read two or three or four, one time six books a month! It’s been great. My reading speed has gone up, I love getting lost in stories, I love revisiting old friends in books I’ve read before. I love that I get done with a chapter and my brain doesn’t feel fried. Read a book instead of watching tv. Read a book instead of scrolling social media. Read a book instead of reading the news. Read a book outside! and feel Jesus in the book.

2.5 the library!

Pro-tip. I got a library card and it’s been the best! I can feed my longing to read without having to pay the price! I actually don’t need to have the Belle library, especially when I’m on a Tiana budget.

3. get off social media

I hinted at this in the book reading category, but seriously, it’s so good. My church down here did a social media fast in August and I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that. 3 whole weeks without any social media or digital entertainment. (The month I read 6 books.) I wasn’t angry every day with people I haven’t seen in months. I found plenty to do without having my phone glued to my hand. I found that I didn’t know about political or social uproars and it was a BLESSING. You don’t have to give it up, but you can definitely use it less.

4. slow down

Breathe. Take a breath. Go outside and just breathe. Pick up a book and don’t zoom through it, take your time. Don’t speed on the highway, notice what’s around you. (Or maybe, don’t take the highway.) Just slow down, walk, don’t run. Now I understand, I feel the need – the need for speed. I have a lead foot. I have a mile a minute brain. I have short legs and a quick pace. But why do I have those things? Because the world is telling me to. Not because I want to. Not because they’re helpful. Not because I actually have to get so much done. But because of the rat race the world has turned into. That’s why I feel the need to go fast. That’s why I feel like I can’t sit still. That’s why I feel guilty when I don’t respond to a text immediately. That’s why I feel compelled to text instead of call. That’s why I don’t have time to shop (just like the Wedding Planner). So, slow down and enjoy what’s happening around you.

I’ve started incorporating these into my every day life, especially the slowing down and I can’t tell you how much good it’s done for me. Give ’em a good old college try and let me know if they worked for you! And if you have any tips on how to stay sane, let me know!

P.S. A great book for reading more on this topic is Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge. You can get a copy by clicking here or maybe at your local library!