DAY 1

Sunset over Key West, taken at my sister's getaway wedding in February 2006. Love the satellite dish silhouetted in the distance.
We don't see the world as it is;
we see it as we are.
- Anais Nin

<< Back to main page


I have some advice for you...

#1 Treat this first day like a snow day. Have fun. Relax. Goof off. But starting Monday, set some structure for yourself. Don't just lay around - you'll start to feel yucky. Do something active in the morning. Get out for a walk; find a workout on youtube. It'll get your day started right. Set a reasonable bedtime: not too early but not too late either. Be out of bed by 8:30. Stick to good meal times; don't graze on the snacks all day.


#2 Don't stress. The economy is tanking and you don't know what's happening with graduation, the prom, etc. Don't worry! It will all happen. Economies recover. You'll get through. Human beings are one of the most adaptable species on the planet. We've gone everywhere, done everything and been through far worse cataclysms than this and have survived. Stress does not exist in the world, it exists inside you. You have some control. If you don't feel like you have control it's most likely because you've never exercised those control muscles and they're weak.

If you're having trouble, imagine there's a little scientist in your brain and he or she is undertaking a study of your stress: how it starts, where it leads, etc. When you feel stressed, have the little scientist start observing and taking data. What triggered it? What makes it worse once it's here? How long does it take to resolve? What helped? By imagining the little scientist in your brain literally there with a tiny clipboard taking notes, you can start to get some distance and perspective on your stress. And the little scientist will start to notice patterns that will help you to regain control.


#3 Take this as an opportunity. Yes, this is a pretty big situation in the recent history of things. Take advantage of it! This is a tremendous opportunity. Yes there's a lot going on in the world, but don't get caught up in it. You only have control over you. Focus on what's close by. More on that next week. Talk to you Monday; take care!