Yes, my #1 and #5 can be yours as well, if you like.

The trick is to first recognize that you’ve hit a wall, that you need some of your time back, and that only you can get it back for yourself.

#1 is tough, because it means giving up some things you might have been looking forward to, even though they were causing serious stress. For me, sadly, it means I am 99% sure I am not going to Chicago in October (I know. I know. But my sanity means a fraction more to me than the excitement of meeting all the bloggers. Just a fraction, but there you go.) Remember I said #1 is tough.

#5 is usually about communicating to other people and recalibrating their expectations. Which I nearly always discover are expectations I planted with them in the first place, and that makes it very easy to change them. Usually they say, “Oh, okay, whatever, no problem,” and just like that my life gets simpler.

Good luck!

Sara, you are the QUEEN of decadent food combinations. Wow–that sounds incredible. I want to hang out with you for a day and copy all your eating! Including that frozen yogurt-spicy tortilla strips? (wasn’t it?) combo. Mmm.

Miri, it’s so cool that you sew! Do you know that Katie Alender, author/blogger/winner of this year’s 48 Hour Film Project for L.A. sews, too? You two need to become BFFs.

Mother Reader, hope you’re having a fabulous time at Niagara Falls! I know you’ve been talking about not being ready for summer to end, so what a great way to see it off.

And Little Willow, congratulations on your performance, and on getting your hopes up! And what’s the Spring Awakening soundtrack about? Even the name sounds lovely.

Have fun, MotherReader & family!

I worked.
I rehearsed.
I performed.
I got my hopes up.
I tried to get some sleep last night.
I purchased and consumed lots of soymilk.
I listened to the Spring Awakening soundtrack on repeat.

On Sat, I took the extra effort to go to Splash Down Water Park instead of being lazy by the pool and it was super fun for all of us. Sometimes being nice to yourself is pushing yourself a little bit.

The best nice thing though is the super vacation I have planned for us all starting tomorrow. We’re on a road trip to Niagara Falls. Can’t wait!

I went to see Stranger Than Fiction with my writing group awhile back–we had a blast! That movie was great.

And I would send you my Horatio videos but someone borrowed them and they never made their way back to me. I suspect it was because they couldn’t pry their eyes away from Ioan Gruffudd.

Sara and Adrienne and all other lovers of Stranger Than Fiction–YES. Loved Will, loved Queen L, always adore Emma (not only a great actress, but also a great writer, as we saw in her adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. So sorry things didn’t work out between her and Kenneth Branaugh, who is also brilliant, but did any or all of you see the film they made together, Dead Again? It’s fantastic! Rent it!

Laura, how great that you sneaked out–with your husband!–to see an afternoon movie. That’s so delicious, isn’t it? Have fun at the no-stress kiddie party (hard to imagine that’s possible, but if you say so).

Adrienne, I like that you’re totally self-indulging on vacation. None of that frantic running around for you. You actually have a shot at coming back refreshed and relaxed–not something everyone can achieve after a vacation.

Judy, that’s an impressive slate of speakers! Good for you! And good work on your WIP. Revisions–ugh.

Nancy, I need your #1 and 5. May I, please? What a great and necessary change those would bring. Number 3 looks mighty fine, too–I need to rent that and Horatio Hornblower, which Sara keeps mentioning. I think I just need a BBC date one weekend. And thanks for ordering my book! Hope you enjoy!

Sara, you bet I’ve seen Eat, Drink, Man, Woman–wasn’t that fab?! All that food! And a great story!

Katie, look how casual you are about that glam life you lead–Hollywood Bowl, Dave Brubeck–I wish you’d come to the conference so we could all verify you wear shades all the time. I know you’re that cool (despite the pineapple dress you sewed recently and that your friend made so much fun of).

Kathryne, (drum roll) CONGRATULATIONS!! That’s wonderful! And it’s interesting how that is a nice thing you did for yourself. I remember that was one of Little Willow’s things a few weeks ago–talking herself into auditioning for a part she ended up getting. So many times we reject ourselves before we give someone else the chance to. It’s extra nice that you took a chance and got what you wanted!

BJ, I’m glad you bought an actual, ready computer. I’m sure you’re quite capable of building your own, but come on–treat yourself a little. How are the fiddle lessons coming in the midst of all this overwork?

I’m on vacation and being extremely self-indulgent, as in I don’t think I’ve done anything that I haven’t felt like doing in at least a week. Needless to say, I feel great.