Blog Reincarnation

Well, I can't believe that I haven't updated this blog in six months. Time flies when you're rearranging your life I suppose. Since my last post I have: finished my Masters degree, gone on a 100 mile solo backpacking trip, lost touch with my best friend and confidant, and moved to New Orleans.

I'm quickly getting settled into my phenomenal new city life. I love the energy of this city, the beautiful houses and history, and the laid back attitude of everyone here. I'm in the process of starting my own business and finishing the licensing requirements to become a Registered Dietitian. That means working full-time for no pay, while trying to make money and start a business in my "free-time."

Which brings me with to the main reason for this blog. So far, the focus has been on nourishment and meditation. Lately I've had time to reflect on the reason that I've been writing this blog or more precisely the reason why I haven't been writing. And that reason is stress.

Stress. Stressed out. That pretty much describes my life. There used to be reasons for my stress: hard family life, high pressure undergrad degree, demanding corporate job, etc. But lately I feel myself stricken by bouts of anxiety for seemingly no reason. I mean, sure--I move all the time and leave loved ones behind, not to mention the pressures of graduate school and application processes. But there's something bigger at play. I feel addicted to stress. Seldom a moment passes where my mind isn't shaking or where my acupuncturist asks me, "Are you a weight lifter?" because of the muscle tension that I carry around all the time. So I try to meditate, and I try to nourish myself, I try to exercise. I try everything. But I'm still left with that shaky feeling.

The purpose of this blog is to chronicle my adventures in stress reduction and provide a space for others stricken with the same stressed out Western lifestyle to watch and maybe laugh at my attempts to be more "centered." So every morning I'll be posting a stress reduction tip. Maybe something about nutrition or meditation, or maybe something just plain crazy--something to appreciate or inspire me. Then I'll post later at night to comment on how that particular stress reduction technique worked over the course of the day. Feel free to join in and post your own comments on how the tips work for you.