I go hiking, take pictures, play with pictures in photoshop, and do yardwork. And, I am ALWAYS on the computer, researching things I want to learn about.

OW

quote:

And, I am ALWAYS on the computer, researching things I want to learn about.

Me too!! I do the photoshop thing too. Play around with pics etc. Love to hike with my dog. I mostly walk around by the mississippi.

I play video games, watch TV episodes on DVD (Buffy tVS, that kinda stuff). I surf the web, although sometimes that makes me more anxious. I bike, sometimes - although mostly that's just to get places. I read trashy novels. I snack. I cook.

s'a good question.

Relax? What's that?

I find walking my dogs helps me, if it doesn't relieve my stress at least it relieves theirs. lol... It definitely helps me to feel more grounded.

I also paint, draw and write. And like WS...compulsively....and obsessively. Sometimes to the detriment of all else, including sleep.
I am currently obsessed with drawing, but a lot of my therapy work comes from my drawings. So it's homework. I find myself drawing when I cannot express a feeling or need. It functions much the way dreamwork does for me. I also journal but when writing fails me...I draw or paint.

If I'm really stressed...I can't watch TV...I can't understand it with so much going on in my head.

A good soak in the hot tub helps. I love it when the snow comes up to the top of the tub and the stars and mountains are right there for me to gaze at. I run out there freezing my @$$ off and come back in steaming my way to the door. It's a warm fuzzy for sure!

Great question.

I use to drink, but now tht I am in recovery, I am trying to find something that works. Taking a hot bath works for me, and if it gets really bad I will go on the treadmill. I also found this new thing called "Geocaching". It is like a huge treasure hunt using a gps. It has taken me to many different places in my city that I didn't even know of.

When all else fails......sleep.


Kats

quote:

When all else fails......sleep.

That is one thing I have been doing a lot of.

I have hobbies and activities I enjoy, but for some reason I have no energy or drive to do them anymore. (Depression?...!)So I do a lot of hot baths and sleeping when it is this bad. And posting here like a mad woman sometimes.

I have been down on myself for giving up and going to bed in the middle of the day sometimes, but my T told me I need to allow myself to do that if that is what I need to get through each day. My inner critic tells me I should be doing other things, but my T said to listen to my nurturing voice instead.

scrapbooking RULES!

hehehe...

robin

Hey...Robin....

Do you do any scrapbooking that is considered "alternative"? I have a book called Kaleidoscope and another called Altered Books that are about a different type of scrapbooking. Lots of mixed-media stuff. With pop-ups, pockets, shadowboxes...etc... I even saw one that was sort of sculpted. You start with a recycled book like an old dictionary or encyclopedia...a big book...something like that... and alter it. I am thinking about trying one but I don't have much experience with it.
It looks like fun though.

Anyway...just wondered what kind of scrapbooks you were doing.

JM and Kats -

I've been doing more sleeping than anything else on my list lately too. Except it's hard with an 8 year old running around so when I'm forced to be awake, well, I can't sleep!

I haven't had the drive to do a lot either, but with the weather improving a little it's easier to force myself to go outside and at least get some sun.

Yep, JM, listen to that nurturing voice and ignore your inner critic.

OW

Can anyone help me with what photoshop software they use.

I am starting to get into photography so any help would be appreciated.

Kats

Kats -

I use Photoshop CS3 but it's not necessary. I think there are some free or inexpensive ones out there, depending on how new you are and how involved you want to get.

Do you want to just crop and fix the lighting, or something more advanced?

OW

i think the only way i can really relax is doing nothing. sleeping and hot bath comes in there, as long as i don't have to figure how long or where too beforehand. i've come across this improvised dancing technique called skinner releasing which is good as well as you don't have to fill any expectations. expectations are shit.

I do art and listen to music. I also like to go swimming or go to the beach.

Kats: I ues microsoft Digital Image. it's very easy to use and relatively inexpensive!

Soulful: Besides typical scrapbooking, I've made calendars, mini books, altered cards, altered dominoes, started an altered book, collage, word art.... There are all kinds of things that can now go under the 'scrapbooking' category! Just go for it... it doesn't have to be expensive, the dollar stores have tons of nice paper etc.

let me know what you end up making ok?

Robin

Sure thing Robin...

I'll let you know what I come up with. I'm sure it will be weird, but we are used to weird and have even learned to embrace it!

SD