Modifying Projects To Reduce Stress

by Marie Vonow (follow)

Stress (65)      Writing (64)      Balance (59)      Creative (16)     

These days one often hears or reads advise about aiming high, planning big things and not being content with the average or small. Although it can be good to push myself sometimes, I do find I get overwhelmed if I am always striving to achieve things in a big way. For me, I feel I achieve better balance in my life if I modify plans, goals and projects when I feel they are stressing me too much.

Everyone has their own limits and their own way of managing life. What suits one person will not suit another as we all have different personalities and different circumstances.

I enjoy creative pursuits. These days my main way of expressing myself creatively is through writing. I also enjoy reading and I have collected numerous thought provoking quotes. About five years ago I decided I was going to write lots of quotes onto squares of fabric and sew them together to make a quilt. I bought some fabric and a couple of fabric markers.

Time passed and I was very busy. Then I packed up and moved house. I did not part with the fabric and pens during my de-cluttering and downsizing because I still planned to make the quilt sometime.

Every now and then I come across the box containing the items to make the quilt. A number of times I have thought I should make time to sit down and do this project. I don't need another quilt but I still like the idea. Sometimes I feel frustrated that I haven't actually made the quilt.

A few times I have thought about abandoning the idea and donating the material to an op shop. Then I think I will get around to it some time.

A couple of days ago I decided to modify the project. Instead of making a quilt which would take several hours, maybe many hours, I would do something much quicker and simpler using the basic idea. I bought a pillow slip and, using the fabric pens I bought so long ago, wrote a number of quotes on that. In the matter of about half an hour I had completed my modified project.

I felt pleased to have finally done something with my idea even though it is on a smaller scale than the original idea. I will still get to read some of my favourite quotes whenever I look at that pillow.

I have put the fabric into a couple of bags ready to donate to my favourite op shop and feel a sense of relief at having found a solution I am happy with.


Sometimes I cause myself stress by trying to achieve too much and having too much planned. When I modify some of my projects I remove unnecessary stress. Sometimes I reassess my plans and projects and abandon those which are no longer important to me. I find doing this helps me achieve a better balance in my life.


# Balance
# Creative
# Stress
# Writing

I like this Article - 5

ID: 46575