How I Lower My Stress Level

    

Computers makes me feel stressed. Let me clarify. I’m not a Luddite. I do not hate technology. I am not against technology. I am fully capable of using it. But computers almost always makes me feel anxious. I recently said this to a friend and it made me wonder why this is the case. My first thought was that it is the tasks that I have to do on the computer. Perhaps I am anxious about the tasks and, therefore, I am projecting that anxiety on the poor computer.  I don’t, however, think that this is the case. Case in point, paying the bills, if I am just sitting down with my checkbook, paper budget, and paper bills, it doesn’t bother me, there is no stress. When I think about paying my bills electronically and balancing my checkbook on the computer, I get stressed. Strange, right? I love to write people letters, real letters, paper and pen letters. I hate writing emails. I love to write, period. Essays, thoughts, blog posts, etc. The thought of sitting down and typing up an actual blog post on the computer makes me stressed, and so I put it off. (Hence, I’m not very good at the whole “blog” thing.)  I have lots of examples, but I won’t continue to bore you with them. 

    I wonder, why is this the case? Is it because I have kids and, as all moms know, the moment you sit down at a computer all hell breaks loose in your perfectly peaceful home. Or, when you pick up a telephone your completely silent children start to fight, scream, and ask you questions as they haven’t, well, since the last time you were on the phone—which was probably last week as no one wants to endure this too often. Am I just anticipating the battles that will come and that is why my blood pressure rises? I don’t know. But this, this is the reason that I spend hours and hours looking for quotes and formatting a PAPER planner. I do this, because I NEED it and I LOVE it. The shortest of “to do” lists, when typed on a computer, stresses me, but I can look at a three-page list in a paper planner and not be phased. Yes, this planner is for sale. Not because I expect many people to buy it (though you should, it really is quite wonderful) but because I think it is really helpful and I love to be helpful. (Speaking of helpful, this is what it looks like if you are interested.)

   Despite all of the conveniences that technology offers—pop-ups, email reminders, fancy apps, etc.—I always still manage to forget things. But since changing over to the paper planner, this never happens (as long as I make certain to write things down).  Another perk of the planner is the quotes. Every time I feel anxious or stressed, I just read a quote and I feel better.  Take my advice (I love to give advice) find a paper planner and use it. (This one is on sale for only $20)  You will probably feel less stressed just by holding it.