Tips for Maintaining Sanity During Tech Week (or Life)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

This week has been absolutely insane.

On Friday I had a date night with Joey. We went for Indian food (delish) and did a little shopping. On Saturday, I led three busy meetings, did two classes at the gym and read my new book. On Sunday I went to Lindsay’s WW meeting, meal planned & grocery shopped, took a Weight Watchers conference call, made dinner then went to the theatre for 6 hours. Since then it’s been chaos as we prepare to open Annie on Thursday.

This feeling has inspired me to share some tips on keeping sane during tech week or just busy times in your life (like the month of December, perhaps?)

1. Be prepared
When performing in a show, it’s not just about knowing your lines, cues, costume changes and choreography, it’s also about planning your life. For me, being prepared is meal planning, having good food in the house, slow cooker meals that are easy to prep and packing everything with me so I can eat throughout the day.
SANY2640That’s lunch (mega salad with mixed greens, avocado, cucumber, peppers, sprouts, chickpeas, hummus & hemp seeds), dinner (potato kale enchiladas from Veganomican) & snacks (apple, banana & pb&j larabar) It requires a little bit of thought in the morning, but for me it is a safety net because I know I have delicious, Ashley-friendly food for the whole day AND I don’t have to spend money.

2. Take care of yourself
I called in sick yesterday because I needed to rest. I took a 2.5 hour nap and it was glorious. (Although I felt like I was back at square 1 again when I got home from the theatre at 12:40am) I also used the time to make a yummy dinner and actually spend some time with Joey enjoying it!
SANY2643 Roasted acorn squash stuffed with snobby joes (another Veganomican fav) with some steamed Brussel Sprouts on the side. I also made the effort to go to the gym on Saturday because I knew that it would be a great way to relax (Bodyflow + Zumba) but also because I knew I wouldn’t have time to get back there for a few days.

Onstage, taking care of yourself, also means worrying about your own business. This is a good approach to take in life as well. As Byron Katie says, if you’re busy worrying about other people’s business, there’s no one there to worry about yours!

3. Have fun
Even though you’re tired or cranky or stressed.
Even when you have to get up for work early the next morning.
Even when your hair and make up goes from looking like this:
SANY2647

SANY2644 to this:SANY2648

Not everyone in the world can say that they get to be onstage, acting singing and dancing up a storm. Performing is something that I find so much pleasure in, yet sometimes I need to be reminded of that after rehearsal that lasts from 6pm-12am! At the end (or beginning) of the day, I’m excited that I get to do what I love!!

How do you prepare yourself, take care of yourself and/or have fun?

8 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing these tips - you're definitely skilled in knowing how to maintain your sanity and NOT stress out (something I'm still working on, for sure).

Good luck with the play opening!!!!!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

1. You are so pretty!

2. I try to plan my meals ahead on busy weeks. I agree, it really does help a lot. I need to start buying more veggies so I always have them in the house! (Plus I really want to replicate that salad you made.)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post Ashley!
You are absolutely stunning!
xo

cocoNUTbutter said...

Hi Ashley
I really enjoy your blog and think you are inspiring. I am starting my own blog..please drop by some times if you can. You are going on my blogroll :)

GF Gidget said...

I can relate 100%!

Pure2Raw Twins said...

first off, you are beautiful! I wish I looked like you when I am stressed : ) I never really get to have much fun due to running my own company it takes all my time, but when I do get some down time I love to watch a movie and have a glass of wine!

Catherine said...

Have FUN doing Annie!!! I wish I lived in Canada so I could come see you. I love theatre and I'm sure you're wonderful at it. Have a great opening day!

Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot said...

I think you looked gorgeous in both pics - love the wild, unstyled hair:)

Great tips and the food looks delicious too.

I can only add put some feel good music on you can bop around the house to. KC and the Sunshine Gang or Walking on Sunshine by Karina and the Waves!

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