Stress: how do you react? How do you deal?

[vfem]

I'd like to punch something... but I don't!

 

[BunnyMomma]

Quote:
Okay Pineapple, I'm going to tell you a story. When my boys were quite young, I realized that I hadn't created anything in years. I felt empty. But hey, my house was clean. I stopped and realized that life is short, when someone dies do they ever say "She kept a really clean house". NO! We come and go on this earth so very quickly. Do something fulfilling here and there. Believe me, the garage will still be there when you finish.

I totally agree with you! I used to clean like crazy! Now I just spray Febreeze! My nose tells my brain that the house is shiny clean, and I find something else to do. HeHeeHe.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
Heheh... back in the day I'd kick a ball against a wall... that' was high school... and maybe a bit after... (soccer fiend what can I say)... then when I'd get really angry, hurt, upset I'd take the T-ball bat to the Little Tykes B-ball goal... (yes, yes I had issues... still do, but not so bad as before) it's basically indestructible so no harm done but I can vent you know? Last time I did that... I went through the living room, bat in hand, and DH and his bud heard BAM BAM BAM BAM.... .... still bamming.... came back in... and bud asks "Are you ok?? weird look on his face... then the next day my neighbor asks "Feeling better?" and said he saw my little vent... and I was so dang embarrassed that that was the end of that. Stuck to cleaning.

I am NOT a neat freak... I'ma packrat... came by it from Dad, Mems... and so is DH for that matter... but when it comes to cleaning I'm a bleach person (only cleanser endorsed by the CDC to kill bacteria AND viruses so it isn't all in my head) and when I get into project mode I can be scary... organization fiend... so when I'm upset AND that kicks in... watch out.

Bunny I love that Thankful Journal idea... I think about what I'm thankful for, but rare think to actually write it down... GREAT IDEA... not only for me, but for kids too... someday they might look at that and get a glimpse... very cool.

Creativity wise... I'm really weird... I do a lot of creative THINKING... but I've always had a problem getting what's in my head onto media... never satisfied, end up frustrated... which kinda defeats the purpose. But I do my little crafty things... like the painting for MY mom... sunny background with this and that swirlies... but said "Mom. Because of you, I am me."... when she's all happy with me then it's a compliment, but when she's not it's not... odd thing was she actually caught that. I wasn't expecting her to. Interesting moment. Helped me better understand her. ANYWHO... even something like buying just the right gift, to me, is a creative thing... and I've had some weird experiences there... like the movie thing... turned out it was his (cousin's) favorite all time movie... I had no idea... it just felt right... but it was very satisfying... didn't make it... and yet there was that click.

Ohhhh.... how many people get a feeling when they're hands are buried in dirt? Used to go to Great Aunt's greenhouses, with Ol' Granny and Ol' Papa (her parents) who worked there and help make trays of plants... that smell... of fresh, fertile soil... summons some great times... makes me feel peaceful and safe AND productive.... anyone else?

 

[canada-goose]

I listen to music. Sometimes I read a book, too.

 

[MuranoFarms]

LOL @ cutting the grass with scissors!

 

[elijahboy]

let someone else have my stress

the husband usually massages my scalp until i fall asleep or brings my a rose

 

[gettinaclue]

Venting helps me. I go home and vent to my husband. It's like I verbally vomit a little stress when I do that. When I'm done, I give him a kiss and thank him. I also like to go for a drive on the country roads all by my lonesome. I clean. I read. Sometimes if I'm feeling particularly helpless - I scream in my pillow or cry in the shower. It helps.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Most of what I make are collages. It involves planning, searching out the right elements, and very carefully cutting them out with exacto knives. I usually paint a unifying background, glue the pictures on, paint over the pictures with gel medium and paint, glue on a bunch of other random stuff to create texture, and go back over the whole thing again with more paint to unify the objects and bring some things out. It's just the right mix of control and messy. But, it allows me to focus and somehow picking out the little images and arranging it all just so seems to bring out my introspection. I like to bring in some humor too, which helps me to see the humor in my own life and situation. Sometimes it's best to not take yourself too seriously.

Hmmm, maybe it would be easier to just show you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/12104_angieart1_100808.jpg

This is my latest. I'm not 100% happy with it, but then I never am. I don't think most artists are ever really perfectly happy with their work. Creating art is a bit of a compulsion, especially when dealing with stress. If you want me to explain my thinking behind this painting, just ask. It's fairly complex.

And yes, I am so so glad that I have my wonderful DH as a sounding board. He's wonderful.

You've got to show us more. Do you sell them cuz that one is so cool. I like to knit granny square afgans with lots of colors. It's comforting to sit there and look at all of the different colors. It would be cool to sit and look at a collage like that and relax imagining. Very nice.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
Awww, thanks Ranch. I have sold a few, but I honestly regret it. Of course money is always nice, but once the art is gone there is no getting it back. Because I work through issues with them, letting them go is like letting a diary go in some way. Does that make any sense? Besides, whenever I sell a piece my hubby and kids pitch a fit. So, I'm forbidden at this point. They take a long long time to make, so it's not something to sell lightly, either.

I weave, knit, spin and sew - all of which is very relaxing. Honestly, making these collages is not relaxing. It's helpful, but quite stressful. The whole time making it I have this insecure monologue going on, plus it requires a lot of thought to know what colors and elements to put where. It's like trying to hit a moving target, not knowing where it's going to end up. I have always found painting "realistic" pretty easy (once I worked up the skills and techniques it entails), but this kind of work is hard. It requires a whole different area of the brain. Plus, if you are painting something real, you can just look at it and compare your painting to the real object/scene and figure out what is off. With this kind of work there is nothing to compare it to, it is as it is.

Anyway, what I was getting at is that there are different types of stresses. The everyday types can be dealt with by distraction, be it putzing in the garden or reading a book. Sometimes in life, though, there are bigger stresses that require facing it head on and working through it. My collages allow me to face it, but in a round about way, while "keeping my monkey busy" (the part of my brain that always wants to create something).

That said, there are collages that are more relaxing to make, you don't have use it as a way to work through your emotional life. My hubby is collaging a bunch of pictures of old silly horror and sci fi movie posters and book covers onto a newspaper rack. He's having tons of fun and it looks pretty neat. But, the only meaning in it is that it will be a neat (translate: hilarious!) piece of art to store our DVD's in.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Awww, thanks Ranch. I have sold a few, but I honestly regret it. Of course money is always nice, but once the art is gone there is no getting it back. Because I work through issues with them, letting them go is like letting a diary go in some way. Does that make any sense? Besides, whenever I sell a piece my hubby and kids pitch a fit. So, I'm forbidden at this point. They take a long long time to make, so it's not something to sell lightly, either.

I weave, knit, spin and sew - all of which is very relaxing. Honestly, making these collages is not relaxing. It's helpful, but quite stressful. The whole time making it I have this insecure monologue going on, plus it requires a lot of thought to know what colors and elements to put where. It's like trying to hit a moving target, not knowing where it's going to end up. I have always found painting "realistic" pretty easy (once I worked up the skills and techniques it entails), but this kind of work is hard. It requires a whole different area of the brain. Plus, if you are painting something real, you can just look at it and compare your painting to the real object/scene and figure out what is off. With this kind of work there is nothing to compare it to, it is as it is.

Anyway, what I was getting at is that there are different types of stresses. The everyday types can be dealt with by distraction, be it putzing in the garden or reading a book. Sometimes in life, though, there are bigger stresses that require facing it head on and working through it. My collages allow me to face it, but in a round about way, while "keeping my monkey busy" (the part of my brain that always wants to create something).

That said, there are collages that are more relaxing to make, you don't have use it as a way to work through your emotional life. My hubby is collaging a bunch of pictures of old silly horror and sci fi movie posters and book covers onto a newspaper rack. He's having tons of fun and it looks pretty neat. But, the only meaning in it is that it will be a neat (translate: hilarious!) piece of art to store our DVD's in.

Maybe your not selling them for enough money.

If you aren't going to sell them you should hang onto them and I have no doubt you could get a show at any museum. See I recognize the artist work for what it is and we're talking serious art. Now I don't know what you got for your other work but I'll bet it wasn't enough. Don't look at it as primitive because it isn't. Collages tell a story and that's what makes them so special. If you do sell it I want first crack. Good art work doesn't just look pretty it draws you into it. Collages do that to me. You didn't tell me what you got for your previous work. Do you mind? I don't have to see them but I'll bet they were just as nice as the one you've shown us. If you are serious about not selling it, I'll pm you and give you my honest opinion of what I think you could get. I will say this I wouldn't sell another if I was you, with the right publicity you'd make some serious money.

Wishing you the best
Rancher