I've discovered a new coping skill that I absolutely love.
When my best friend left for treatment a few weeks ago, we knew that there were going to be a lot of days that she would be totally unreachable. It was going to be really hard on both of us because we were used to talking multiple times a day, everyday. (And by multiple times I actually mean keeping a conversation going from the second we wake up to whenever we lay down for bed.) I was panicking because she is the one I would call if something happened - bad or good. She's my rock, you see. I know I have a wonderful husband who is so incredibly supportive, but as he has never suffered from an eating disorder or severe anxiety and depression there are always times that he isn't sure of how to react, or what to say. My best friend always knows what to say to calm me down or stop me from irrationally going off on myself.
What the hell was I supposed to do without her??
Write letters, that's what! Never in my life did I think that going back to a slower way of communicating would be so cathartic. I bought a bunch of cute stationary and some stickers and I began writing her every morning. It has become a part of my routine - I have to get the letters into the big blue mailbox down the street before the mail-lady empties it at 1pm. I have been on time almost every single morning since she has been gone. (I am almost NEVER on time...)
Did I mention you can decorate them however you want?
I love doing random craft projects and my supply of plastic jewels, glitter, and stamps is pretty impressive. All of the sudden I got to use whatever I want to dress up my letters all nice and pretty. Between the actual writing of the letter (coping skill #1) and then decorating it (coping skill #2), I always come away from that task with a sense of relief and satisfaction. If I am frustrated or stressed out, I just write about it in the letter the same way I would normally send her a text message.
But, writing letter is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!
If you haven't written anybody a letter, or sent a card or a thank you note, I strongly suggest you do. It is not only going to help your mood...the person on the receiving end benefits as well. I had forgotten how nice it was to get mail addressed to me (other than a million bills) in my mailbox. When I see the envelope with my name on it I immediately get a feeling of anticipation and excitement. It is even better than when I get one of my packages from Zulily or Amazon. I never, ever thought anything could top getting the presents I buy myself (coping skill #3!).
The moral of this story is: WRITE SOMEONE A LETTER TODAY AND SEE HOW YOUR DAY SUDDENLY GETS A LOT BETTER.
Minimum effort to make both you and your recipient smile.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, people. I'm off to write Kim a letter right now. And I'm going to put SO MANY SPARKLES on it!
You're welcome.
- B
When my best friend left for treatment a few weeks ago, we knew that there were going to be a lot of days that she would be totally unreachable. It was going to be really hard on both of us because we were used to talking multiple times a day, everyday. (And by multiple times I actually mean keeping a conversation going from the second we wake up to whenever we lay down for bed.) I was panicking because she is the one I would call if something happened - bad or good. She's my rock, you see. I know I have a wonderful husband who is so incredibly supportive, but as he has never suffered from an eating disorder or severe anxiety and depression there are always times that he isn't sure of how to react, or what to say. My best friend always knows what to say to calm me down or stop me from irrationally going off on myself.
What the hell was I supposed to do without her??
Write letters, that's what! Never in my life did I think that going back to a slower way of communicating would be so cathartic. I bought a bunch of cute stationary and some stickers and I began writing her every morning. It has become a part of my routine - I have to get the letters into the big blue mailbox down the street before the mail-lady empties it at 1pm. I have been on time almost every single morning since she has been gone. (I am almost NEVER on time...)
Did I mention you can decorate them however you want?
I love doing random craft projects and my supply of plastic jewels, glitter, and stamps is pretty impressive. All of the sudden I got to use whatever I want to dress up my letters all nice and pretty. Between the actual writing of the letter (coping skill #1) and then decorating it (coping skill #2), I always come away from that task with a sense of relief and satisfaction. If I am frustrated or stressed out, I just write about it in the letter the same way I would normally send her a text message.
But, writing letter is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!
If you haven't written anybody a letter, or sent a card or a thank you note, I strongly suggest you do. It is not only going to help your mood...the person on the receiving end benefits as well. I had forgotten how nice it was to get mail addressed to me (other than a million bills) in my mailbox. When I see the envelope with my name on it I immediately get a feeling of anticipation and excitement. It is even better than when I get one of my packages from Zulily or Amazon. I never, ever thought anything could top getting the presents I buy myself (coping skill #3!).
The moral of this story is: WRITE SOMEONE A LETTER TODAY AND SEE HOW YOUR DAY SUDDENLY GETS A LOT BETTER.
Minimum effort to make both you and your recipient smile.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, people. I'm off to write Kim a letter right now. And I'm going to put SO MANY SPARKLES on it!
You're welcome.
- B
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