https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:08:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-802778 Tue, 25 Dec 2012 06:45:06 +0000 qfbrenda 802778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are great suggestions here. I'm sorry you are dealing with so much at once. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-802306 Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:32:26 +0000 Isis 802306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nothing new to add here by way of remedies. Regular exercise works for me...</p> <p>I hope the holiday break brings some relief! You are having to cope with an awful lot!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-802302 Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:23:10 +0000 Kari 802302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, wow, what a horrible collection of events in a short space of time. I'm so sorry that all of these stressors are building up! That's especially awful to have your home, your safe space, violated by the break-in. I'm glad that everything can be replaced and that your family is safe.</p> <p>To be very honest, food has become a coping mechanism for stress for me. That is not a technique I'd recommend. But I have found that aerobic exercise - particularly something easy and repetitive, like jogging or using the elliptical machine - can allow me to physically run through my stress and anger, and exhaust some of the emotion by tiring out my body.</p> <p>Watching a movie or reading a book that is guaranteed to make me laugh (preferably with B.) is also a great source of stress relief. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-798677 Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:29:21 +0000 Amy 798677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for "listening," everyone. Sometimes, it just helps to get things off one's chest. You are all such kind and wonderful people. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-798128 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:44:51 +0000 Anonymous 798128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a super hot tub, with bubbles, a tea (sometimes wine) and a good cry.</p> <p>Hope your holiday season is festive and your household is safe </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797994 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:46:47 +0000 DeclawedJaguar 797994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm chiming in late, Amy -- you have my deepest sympathies. Life can be so challenging and frustrating at times. Friends and family, both 2- and 4-legged can help distract one from the oppressing thoughts. Watching my dog run around in a dog park can make me forget almost anything, even if for a few moments. And, as Diana suggested, baking and knitting can also be therapeutic. </p> <p>Is it possible to be in touch with your family more often via phone or Skype? When my father was sick on the other end of the world, it was so comforting for both of us to speak on the phone every day just discussing small everyday things. It took his mind off of the illness and helped him get out of the little bubble of misery that was his hospital room. And I felt comforted knowing that at least I could help his spirit, if not his body.</p> <p>Sending you lots of virtual hugs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797965 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:14:48 +0000 Amy 797965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for all the sympathy and suggestions! I am counting my blessings, and there are many of them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797896 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:02:21 +0000 Diana 797896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(((Hugs))) I'm sorry to hear things have been going roughly for you, Amy. Hope things lighten up for you soon.</p> <p>As for relaxing, I often like to cook something elaborate or knit something complicated to take my mind off other things and create something delicious/beautiful. (Or knit something mindless and concentrate on going as fast as I can.) I also like to read absorbing and entertaining books (my drug of choice is fantasy novels). And exercise HARD, of course. This all might sound a little counterintuitive (doing complicated things and all that are not necessarily relaxing) but basically I've found that I need to do something really engaging and absorbing so that my mind doesn't wander too much and start thinking about depressing things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797884 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:40:17 +0000 Mochi 797884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very sorry and hope things turn around quickly, Amy. More than the items themselves, the feeling of being violated must be so upsetting. Sending you a big hug, and for your kids too. </p> <p>I would suggest the usual suspects: exercise, calming music, long bath or shower, funny movies on TV. There's so much stress right now and you have to be intentional about creating some peaceful rituals for yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797859 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:07:33 +0000 Anonymous 797859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, so sorry to hear your troubles. Hopefully the holiday will allow everyone to get a little break.</p> <p>I find taking a moment for a bath and a book and tea really helps. I also do try and take a moment and just try and think about nothing for a while. Then I try and find one nice thing.</p> <p>I sympathise with the work stress. I am going through that right now and it is rough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797856 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:03:37 +0000 Janet 797856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, I'm so sorry! I've been under a lot of stress lately too, so I understand how hard it is, even though as you say, there are many people going through so much worse.</p> <p>I do think every single day about all the things I'm grateful for. It's my form of prayer, I suppose. I also find that exercise helps a lot. I had to drag myself out of the house yesterday for my 7.5 mile run, but afterward I felt not only more relaxed but also happy I'd accomplished something on a day when I very well could have laid around like a bump on a log. </p> <p>Afterward, a cup of hot tea, a bath, dinner with my husband and lots of catching up (he's been out of town for two and a half weeks), a fire in the fireplace, and a glass of really nice wine...all those things helped me get my mind off my worries. At least for a while. :-)</p> <p>Hugs to you. I hope everything calms down for you soon. Take care! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797764 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:04:20 +0000 ManidipaM 797764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh goodness, what a terrible, frightful week! Especially with the break-in, you must be so shaken...</p> <p>Like Anna and Rae, when I remember, I use smells --- vanilla roll-on is my shortcut, but otherwise I like to cook or bake. It's distracting activity plus happy smells, and as a bonus, you have something to much to mindless TV (I like sci-fi, fantasy, crime as much as Hallmark movies, but whatever really engages your attention enough to switch off for a bit from the everyday...)</p> <p>My other trick, like Suz, has been forcing myself (I put an alarm on my phone) to make time for a very quick meditative yoga exercise that is basically just mindful breathing. If I can short-circuit the stress cycle for even a few minutes around midday, by which time work is getting into adrenaline mode, it breaks the cycle of it and I find I can have some energy to actually enjoy the evening rather than feeling my spirits sink with the sun. Just a few minutes (never more than 10, but whatever's manageable), but they are a HUGE relief. I usually just do an alternating-nostril 4-8 (inhale-exhale) pattern --- between counting and alternating, it takes up even mindspace that there's nothing left to worry with.</p> <p>And if it's really bad, as in your situation, I'd actually try to find 20 minutes to very literally run away from it. REALLY resets the stress hormones back to square one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797761 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:38:16 +0000 rae 797761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, I'm SO sorry! That is so stressful... :(</p> <p>I'm like Anna and react well to scent. At work I used to spritz some light perfume or similar to help kind of take me out of the moment for a spell. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797734 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 04:48:46 +0000 Suz 797734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, I am SO sorry you are going through all of this. It is a stressful time of year anyway, and add to it all with this - you must truly be at your limit. </p> <p>I am like Ali - I find movement (especially outdoors) really helps me. Even if I think it won't and hate the idea (which I often do) I force myself to do it and always feel better afterwards. </p> <p>Also, short (1 or 2 minutes) of mindful breathing can also help to centre me. </p> <p>I'm also a big fan of a warm bath and a book or a comedy when the going gets really rough. </p> <p>Oh...and tea. Nice warm tea. </p> <p>Sending huge hugs your way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797729 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 04:38:54 +0000 Anonymous 797729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry. </p> <p>What helps me most is moving my body. Even for 10 minutes. Once I was taking care of a very sick family member, and I would put on dark sunglasses and walk briskly around the block, crying, and then come back inside and pull it together for another day.</p> <p>Big hugs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797704 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:31:37 +0000 Angie 797704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OHH!! You poor thing!! Life can be so hard sometimes. I'm sorry that you and your family are going through this, Amy. ((((HUGS)))). </p> <p>The only way I relax is to watch something mindless on the tele after a hot shower with a good cuppa and sweet treat. I also cry to relax my neves and want extra hugs from hubs and fur babies - who are ideally relaxing with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797696 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:05:04 +0000 Raisin 797696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy I'm so sorry you are having such a rough month! Hugs! I can understand why you feel so stressed. It's worse too when you just can't turn off and fall asleep at night. I usually unwind with a bath an by reading a book. And like Shannon said, thinking about how lucky I am in other ways can help. I hope you feel better soon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797694 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:00:19 +0000 deb 797694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so sorry. The family issues are enough without a stranger in your home. It has happened to me and is very scary. Hang in there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797688 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:47:47 +0000 Transcona Shannon 797688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Amy - I'm so sorry you're going through such a stressful time. I'm sending a ton of cyber hugs to you and your family!</p> <p>I find when I get that feeling that I just can't take ONE MORE THING, I will literally say out loud how lucky I am, like a type of affirmation. Well...that and chocolate! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797687 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:45:37 +0000 Caro in Oz 797687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When things got too much for us as a family (when my daughter was little) we would have family pyjama parties. We'd choose a couple of funny movies have fun things to eat &amp; have cuddles on the couch, very therapeutic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797686 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:43:24 +0000 Laurinda 797686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Big hugs to you Amy!</p> <p>Sometimes life is just kinda rough... and this is a tough and sorrowful week for everyone. Reaching out is good -- to your virtual friends and your close ones in real life.</p> <p>What helps me is to focus on my good fortune, rather than bad. For some people that is writing a gratitude journal, or just counting their blessings. And dream of pina coladas on that sunny island of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797684 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:39:09 +0000 annagybe 797684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so, so sorry Amy! I like to light fancy smelling candles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-the-camels-back-is-broken-1#post-797671 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:04:28 +0000 Amy 797671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't take another thing going wrong this month. Work has been a pressure cooker and I can't "turn off" at night. I have friends and family with serious health concerns and I'm too far away to help out. One of my children has been sobbing at night because he's too stressed out about schoolwork. And then, last night, someone broke into our home and stole some valuables. While none of it was irreplaceable and none of us were hurt, it was scary and upsetting. </p> <p>I realize that other people are going through far, far worse things right now, and I pray for them. Still, sometimes, it's hard to keep perspective when faced with a series of troubles.</p> <p>I know the rest of you have significant cares. What do you do to relax and rejuvenate yourselves? Can it be done during a busy work week or is my only option to run away to a sunny island and drink rum? </p>