Pack a picnic and take a day trip somewhere.
Dress up and go out to eat.
A nice long, hot bath.

Basically, just take some time to get away and breathe.

This works!

{{!gwi}}

Joking aside, when we were remodeling, we did not set a deadline. I find deadlines to be very stressful. Cannot avoid them at work but for personal life i prefer not to be under pressure from myself or others. We told everyone that our kitchen would take 1 year to get done.
delays are to be expected.

We took a mini vacation, well just went to visit friends in another city. gave us a much needed break from seeing an unfinished kitchen.

also take lots of photos, it helps you remind how much you have already done!

I second the hot bath with candles AND one of those lovely cocktails Pharaoh recommends (wine is a great substitute as well). :)

take a time out for yourself. make a list in your head of five things that you're thankful for... (for example: DH, the great dinner you had the other night, that you will ultimately have a beautiful home at the end of all this, that the weather is warming up,the awesome faucet/pull/fridge/range you're really excited about, that you're in good health). If you're together with DH take some time to talk about all those Positive things together.... if you're alone, breathe: take a slow inhale thinking about all these things and exhale all the negative anxiety/stress... Usually the stress comes from getting wrapped up in a bunch of stuff that a. isn't life or death and b. isn't something you can even control. That's not to say that stress is easy to just get rid of! but sometimes a deep breath and a moment of thanks can help put it in its place. good luck and take care.

I COMPLETELY understand, not only the stress, but the limitations of not being able to afford what a lot of people do to pamper themselves. I know the suggestion may be made mostly in jest, but having a glass of wine or drink only makes me more tired, but no more relaxed.

In our old house to relax for a minute, I'd go in my room (often the cleanest, most organized room in an otherwise busy and well-used house), to close my eyes or read for a few moments...before the kids realized I was gone and came to join me...Although, then we all laid around for a bit and talked, which was good, too. But, when we were building, I had no bedroom, no private escape, since DH and 2 of our 8 kids slept on the living room floor of the old single wide mobile home we lived in the last 2 yrs. Even if I was a 'bath person,' I wouldn't have dared to soak in that ancient, stained and damaged tub. I couldn't sew, and cooking or baking in that little, dingy kitchen was not fun.

I think that's why I became addicted to this forum. It was an escape. I could think about other people's projects, either enjoying the lovely accomplishments or helping with plans. It was a way to channel the energies that were not helping with progress on our house to someone else. I also learned a lot from this and the cooking forum, and added to my dreams of what I could do in our new kitchen.

Other ways I've coped:

*Maybe I'm a nerd, but I like to play Scrabble and no one in the house will play with me...So the kids got me the computer version, and it is my 'luxury' to play a few games against the computer challenger. I escape from my life and challenge my brain, when it's numb from other aggravations.

*Make a manageable list of little things that have needed doing, and get them done (organize your desk or closet, tend to waiting paperwork, clear out some clutter, make calls you've been needing to, etc.). It is a good feeling to know you have actually accomplished something and made progress in some aspect of your life...That your day meant something, and those little things are no longer nagging at you. It really helps if it is something that will stay done, at least for a while...Not like cleaning the bathroom or doing laundry that will need doing again by tomorrow. Can you get the taxes done so that is out of your hair and the weight is off your shoulders?

*Cuddling with my youngest to hold him through a nap, read a book or 6, or watch one of his movies is always a nice break.

*It's hard to find time, or force myself out, but doing anything outside in the fresh air seems to help...Read, walk, garden, play catch with the kids.

*We had the mocha frappe' powder mix from Costco, and enjoyed a mocha smoothie at a certain time everyday. It was pitiful, but we lived for that break and treat sometimes, and it was nice to know it was coming.

Best wishes. We understand.

DEMOLITION!!!! ;-) Breaking something, throwing something, being able to completely destroy something makes me feel good (as long as it's meant to be destroyed) Physical labor can be stress relieving ;-)

Go for a brisk walk or jog.

You know I started work on my 100+ year old house as a reaction to the ending of a long term relationship. This was a relationship where my significant-other of 10 years felt that making improvements to the house was thowing good money after bad...let's just say he was wrong and not get into the drama. Anyway, once he was gone I tried to pack 12 years of "wanna does" into a couple of months !! The real world has long since taken over and I have come to a sort of zen-like acceptance that all good things come to those who wait (and a have budget). After having the contents of two bedrooms in my living room and basement,sleeping in a very scary 3rd bedroom for months, and my kitchen in my dining room, living room,basement and various other places and still having to go to work and get my teen off to High School I found that it was best having one place that was "done". If you have not done so already make one room your "happy place". I finished my bedroom first. It is not totally done but the tranformation is still remarkable enough to make it feel like some place special. I totally understand what you are going thru...simple answer...candles with calming scents, low lighting, comfortable mattress and a wonderful glass of wine or beverage of your choice...and realizing that all will be well in the end...big hugs to you

If you're into yoga, www.yogatoday.com. This is the greatest idea ever -- FREE yoga classes to watch on the internet, in your own home, at your own time. Just plop a yoga mat (or a towel) in front of the computer. The episodes were filmed in Jackson, WY and Sedona, AZ, so the scenery is nice even if your home is a disaster. All classes are about 1 hour long and high quality. They filmed about 300 episodes with the intent of having a new class every day; right now they're rotating about 8-12 classes from their library every day, always with one or two "how to"/basic classes. I'm not affiliated with them but I rave about the site to everyone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Free yoga classes

Nothing works as well as a book for me- just good brain candy reading takes me away from everything.

Dear Caligirl, I feel your weary pain. If you can't get away on a week long vacation, or even a mini-weekend trip, then what about just shutting everything down for ONE DAY? I mean really shutting it down. Don't do laundry, don't clean, don't do any errands. Don't do anything related to your renos. Don't go shopping. Just relax. Go on a walk outside, or do something fun that you haven't done in a long time. Sleep in, read the paper or a book for as long as you like. Get your partner to give you a massage. Take a long bath. Get a manicure. Basically, just relax and free your mind.

I, too, come on this forum frequently. I can't badger my friends, can I, so it's nice to read from other posters who are immersed in similar things! And I've also been taking lots of snapshots of the reno in progress. Makes us feel better about how far we've come!

Big hugs to you:)

Thank you all so much for the great ideas. It's just so hard sometimes and I knew I could come here and you would understand these feelings. I'm going to tackle those taxes because that's at the core of everything; until I know how much we owe, I can't feel okay about the renovations again. In the meantime, I'll remember to take the breaks I need and chill out. One of my ideas - I like to splurge on a reno magazine and go somewhere quiet and just dream a little.

The good news is we made a lot of progress over the last few days and so I'm beginning to see things come together when they had stalled for so long!

Thanks again, I really love this place!

Try a ballroom dance class! It is a really good way to get away from the everyday, and learn something new, and get on your feet, and spend time with your "partner." I know it can sound sorta kitchy, but it is a GREAT way to relieve stress and laugh. Check out local studios, or community centers. Some places even have babysitting!

I used to teach, and I seriously saw how much happier people looked leaving the studio than coming in. I started dancing to balance out the stress of school, and just got addicted. I am still addicted, and still dance a few nights a week, and it makes a HUGE difference.

Wine......