Discardia_ More Life, Less Stuff - Dinah Sanders [88]
Remember: Life is the essential ingredient to quality of life.
If you’ve already decluttered your bathroom, this next step is going to be much easier; however, no matter how easy or hard it is, the payoff for doing it can make an enormous difference when you need it the most.
It's time to get your first aid kit (or kits) organized. The Red Cross and similar organizations have detailed information on their websites about what you need in a general first aid kit and to survive any special threats to which your region is prone. Pull together all your various medical emergency supplies. See what you have already for the kit, and start a shopping list for what you need to add. You don’t have to do it all at once, just start.
You may find that you have more than you need of some things, so separate things out and start kits for your office or car. Alternatively, buy a good kit from the Red Cross and, after you get it, donate all the old jumble of stuff to your local shelter except what you'll use to restock your kit for regular home use (e.g., adhesive bandages in your favorite sizes). Think and prepare now, at your leisure, instead of in a rush later when everyone else is scrambling for the same supplies at the stores.
You can't always do it all, and that's okay
Even when you aren’t in the midst of a disaster, circumstances can hit you and having some safety nets will make an enormous difference. If something suddenly takes up all your time and energy—medical crisis, new baby, crazy rush at work—it's very helpful to be able to give the sudden event the necessary attention without having it throw other things even more out of balance.
Direct deposit and automatic bill pay can come to your rescue when you need to get through a demanding time and think about nothing at all. Drinking enough water, eating decent meals—especially breakfast—and getting as much sleep as you can will help keep your body supporting the pressure on your mental focus and your emotions. If you have to work through a surprise stressful situation—say, a family member having major surgery—it's very likely that you'll be short on sleep or at least have somewhat disturbed sleep. You'll certainly be working yourself harder mentally and emotionally to bear this extra load along with whatever else is going on in your life.
You're going to be stretched a little thin when it comes to restedness. You may find that—when the initial danger passes, when other people arrive to help take the load, or after a week or so without relief—a lot of tension that you'd been fending off suddenly falls squarely onto you and you become exhausted and emotional. It's completely natural; don't feel badly. Do the minimum you need to do that day and then go home. Eat something nourishing (stop for takeout, if that works), and drink some water or juice, and then go to bed. Never mind if it’s before 8pm.
Here's the important part: If tomorrow is a workday, set your alarm clock right now. It may be that you won't fall asleep right away, but that's okay. Don't watch TV. Just feel safe and cozy and maybe read something restful for a bit. If your energy is drained, you'll conk out soon and you may sleep for 10 to 12 hours. If you do, you needed it. Charging your batteries is part of helping get you and the people you love through anything hard. Don't try to get by without doing it.
Clear communication with friends, family, and significant others can reduce the potential for drama, which is usually the last thing you need during hard times. Say something like, “I’m putting all my energy into [whatever is going on] and I'm afraid it's going to make me [spend less time with you, be unfocused, be unusually emotional]. I'm sorry in advance