The eras of the 30's, 40's, 50's and even the early 60's have a certain undeniable class and smoothness, a relaxed vibe of, "No matter how bad it gets, every thing's going to be alright." One of my most beloved artists, who represents that polished relaxation, is Nat King Cole. More specifically, I cherish the attitude his songs like, "Let's Face The Music And Dance", embody. Even if your gut tells you the world is crashing down around, just face the music and dance, or if not dancing, something else that is positive and good medicine for the spirit.
I look at the eras gone by and I can't help but feeling they dealt with stress and problems in a more healthy and positive manner than we do today. Adolescences of today, especially have tendencies to turn to destructive behavior when under pressure and stress. They often drink or do drugs, hook up, and whatever other reckless deeds they can get away with, that they believe will overcome or mask their problems and anger.
This is not to say drinking, drugs, smoking and so forth were never a part of yesterday's society, however from what I can understand, they often seemed to have different motives and reasons for doing such things, perhaps even, more pure reasons. Not that that necessarily trumps the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, and even smoking, but I wonder how and why folks from these previous eras, could smoke and drink with such elegance and sophistication.
I look around at our youth today, and those who are knee deep in drugs and nasty addictions are anything but glassy and glamorous. Still... even if these bad habits have always existed to a certain extent, I do admire the way past societies seemed to always keep a time for music, and dancing, and what is now considered "old school" good fun. Activities that will take a load off your back without taking all your senses and good judgement too.
Stress also appears to have been handled better in past times. Nowadays, stress is used as a leveler to measure success. The more busy you are, the more overachieving you do, the more money you gain, only leads to the overwhelming stress that seems more of a trophy than something harmful to mind and spirit. And if someone devotes more time to kicking back their heels and simply having a good time, their peers will often write them off as bums.
Even if stress equals success, I know my spirit will never survive excessive stress and work. I will always find time to whirl around a ballroom to the soothing sounds of Nat King Cole and the likes, simply elated at how good life can feel.
So, tell me... how do you deal with stress? Are you forever feeling tired and worn down? Do you make sure you still have a good time even amidst stressful deadlines and problems, or do you put off fun for a time when you're not busy? And what are your favorite ways to relax and forget your worries?
Photo Credits: "The Women" (photographed by Sebastian Faena) from V Magazine (www.vmagazine.com) & www.flickr.com/photos/don3rdse
31 comments:
the pictures are so chic! i *heRT* THEM!
i DON'T DEAL too much with stress but depression.
I relax by first taking an very hawt bath, them I got o my room, close the door, out some low nature music,light some incense. and fo to sleep.
:)
Gosh, I wish that when I smoke I look half as glamorous as those women! Instead, I look like a girl with a very dirty habit =(
Kinda know what you're saying but on the other hand I think nowadays there is just more stress and pression on people then before.
I'm actually quite good at dealing with stress - mostly it gives me a kick to perform even better.
x
Beautiful photos. You have really great taste, my dear. :)
Aw the middle child syndrome? Jan Brady. I am the older one, I have a younger brother, 8 years younger, we do get along but we can fight sometimes, too. Somehow I was always the more spoiled one, until he became a teenager, then he got more and more. Oh well. One has to grow up sometime, right?
I got a little crazy with outfit "photo shoots" where I am living now since who knows how long it will take me to organize myself into the new place? But when I get the chance I'd love to make a little "tour" for the blog. Oh and you may start to see a mix of photos. Some from the new place and some from the old... just to clarify some confusion...
Your comments are always so lovely, thanks for taking the time to leave them for me!! :)
Talk to you soon.
xo/ fashion chalet
yes! that's a song, green day, right? i think so. lol
malaga is in spain. yay!
xx
Love the photos :)
Those early eras were a time of simple pleasures and that is where the style & glamour came from -simply being happy with less material posessions & ways to entertain themselves than we have - meant that dancing to a live band or having a dinner party was the epitome of excitement. I am sad to see that people now have to resort to drugs & drink to stumulate their senses. Malcontent with simple pleasures is a loss of the vibrancy that life can have.
My favourite ways to relax...a night a the theatre, enjoying an intimate music gig, sitting drinking tea & chatting into the small hours of the morning in my friend's kitchen, dancing to a favourite song, reading in a cosy corner, spending the whole day in bed preferably reading or writing, lighting candles and putting on some soothing music, going for walks by the sea, throwing a dinner party, having a meal out with my sisters, wandering in my favorite art gallery...wow so many!
If I couldn't do many of these things I think the stress would build up - but I try & remember that the simple every day things in life make the days memorable & worth while!
A* :)
Thanks for the super sweet comment ^-^ Oh and I AM jealous at you! Living in the city! Wow! Hope you find a nice place to live over there =) Well I can't complain, I've been to some big cities like Paris & London, some smaller cities in Europe too mostly France & Italy(well I live in Europe so...^-^). And San Francisco, LA and Las Vegas in the US when I was there 4 years ago. But still, NY has to be my favourite now!
And if I'm feeling stressy, I ALWAYS put on some music first! I found out Breakbot works best for me ^-^ You should listen to it sometime, I don't know if you'll like it but yeah... The remixes they did are pretty cool too, my favourite: A thing for me breakbot remix by metronomy, listen to it at their myspace: www.myspace.com/dothefunkybot
isn't it relaxing ^-^?
my beautiful girl.
so i am forever blown away by your words. seriously. from your blog, to the comments you leave me. each WORD is shrouded with genuine care-love & passion which is felt across the seas...
you have a gift love.
i don't even know how to thank you for such sweet comments- i don't ? i am a horrible writer and find it hard to express my thoughts into words sometimes.
the cyclical world of stress. I personally am never really TOO stressed out. When i find myself getting a tad elevated i chat with the boy ( who has THEE most stressful job, but is cool as a cucumber- he's my role model ;) )anyways... or we walk our dog... i LOVE music. candles. speaking with my family. ah family. spending time in solitude. It all works for me. But these are things i do regardless. AH I don't know- I am just never crazy stressed and if I am then it was self-imposed so I have to deal with it! Life is too short to be a ball of stress all the time...balance is key.
you always provide my day ( well its night here by the time i catch up )which such inspiration.thought.passion.
thanks love. for being such a beacon of light.
phew- that was my longest post ever!
As usual I love the topic that u bring to the posting table! For me whatever stress usually starts with by biggest enemy which is fear...because fear is the total opposite of LOVE. We thought the opposite would b hate,but the 'core' is actually fear... Continue to replace fear w LOVE & we'll have a better prespective in whatever we face...yeah including life obstaclesss...
a reminder; my contest winner'd b announced this weekend sweetie!
blessings as always!
i take pressure well but if i must, i usually take a yoga class to relax my mind and body. really works for me!
these pictures are gorgeous. i agree with the whole smoking drugs etc paragraph.
Ohhhhh, I am totally and completely in love with these photos! They're absolutely stunning!! The clothes, the hair, the makeup....*swoon* Thanks so much for sharing them!
It is interesting how smoking was seen as a glamorous, social activity back then and now it's seen for what it really is; an unhealthy habit.
Thanks for your great comment! Would you like to exchange links? Take care and have a lovely day tomorrow :)
These are such stunning photos!
I think a lot of people during those times were under immense stress and pressure, whether it be financially or otherwise despite living in simpler times. The societal norm was to develop a peachy façade that everything was roses and although that can be classy, it can also be dangerous. The attitudes during that time were not conducive to open communication either, so a lot of negativity was repressed and dealt with in a more discreet manner, so while they might not have openly been wallowing in self-destructive behaviour, they were doing it behind closed doors.
Even though I don’t think that overtly spiralling out of control is a good thing (far from it) I do think that the benefit of living in a much more open society is the ability to voice your problems and not hide them. But this also brings about a desensitisation to these problems. They become ‘normal’ when they’re not. And the drinking and drug taking become expected behaviour – rather then being a problem, they just become a side-effect.
So which method is better? I guess a healthy balance with a good dose of self respect and resiliency is the key to overcoming stress. I’m a psychology graduate so I guess I just self-analyse my stress levels and channel them in a positive direction.
And Music always makes my soul smile. :D
PS. I posted this twice by accident silly computer!
i understand what you are saying.
i was interested to see what people commented.
to be honest, i'm alright when it comes to school stress.
but personal stress of simply everything erupting at once (sort of like now) just hurts.
i've done everything you have listed as a release; smoking, drinking, drugs, sex.
i hate it.
it's worse when you feel like you have no one, your family has problems & your friends backstab & know how to hurt you.
i don't trust people anymore.
i only said all this as my blog is anonymous.
This is my first time visiting your blog and I also looked at your website. It is really cool. I like the way each section is similar to entering a new room. You are very creative :)
And this post is so great because stress relief is something that is so important. Stress is one of the very top agers causing us not only to look older but creates disease in our bodies. I used to be one of those people who dealt with stress by abusing alcohol and cigarettes but decided to quit a couple of years ago and at first it was so scary because I was so vulnerable to the slightest stress. I had to relearn techniques to deal, and realized I had stunted my emotional maturity with addiction. What I really try to do now is stay in the moment and control my thoughts, spending time with my dog, being in nature and photography have helped. Also relaxation soundtracks help a lot and I just started yoga and enjoy the meditation aspect.
When we are taught substances are so taboo and dangerous but at the same time they are glamorized in movies and magazines young people will absolutely want to use them, it is a way of establishing an identity separate from the norm.
You always pick great pictures. Jessica Stam looks stunning in the photos.
Music's always there. I love music. Especially the attitude of people in the 20th century to it. Now it seems to me that people have lost a bit of their respect for music - it's just something you can download on the internet for them. You're right, people now take everything more seriously. TOO seriously. There were less security restrictions and everything. Not that I favour smoking, this is just an example: In the 40s, no one cared if smoking invoked breast cancer, they just did it and it was glamourous.
I wish I was born like, 50 years earlier. OK, I'm immensely satisfied with my life, but you know what I mean, I'd have wanted to really live this VIBE.
Today's society is really money and work-obsessed. My motto is: Take it easy!
Love the pictures!! I guess yoga is a great thing to fight against stress and so on, that's why all the celebrities make yoga :)
I will agree, that it seems that today's life is a non-shop chaos ...and it is something you learn to live with. For me, uni. is the most stressful part and like to go away for the winter break to relax and to be able to go back and do even better than the previous semester.
I such at dealing with stress, I just do lots of shopping, which creates even more stress once you realize that you're spending too much on useless things :S
that bottom pic is phenomenal.
i love iit...
and i really like ur blog too
xoxo
love all of the pictures!!so much classic on it
Beautiful pictures and beautiful words.
I hate stress,
hate hate hate it. I take medication for depression amongst other things,
but I do try more natural things when I get really run down and overwhelmed.
Rescue Remedy, Badger Balms and long hot baths with a good book =)
very introspective. and beautiful photos too! dressing up for a day that you know will be a stressful one puts a little fun in the hectic day!
Those V mag photos are incredible!
And thank you SO much for the flash instruction :)
You rock!
xoxox,
CC
First off.. Your grandmum must be one cool lady-- many grandmum's are. As for the photos, your effort shows, really. :-) Anyway, are you psychic? I was just having a dramatic breakdown earlier today because I cant keep up with the amount of work Im buried under and this sweet little post comes along.. haha.. How do I cope with stress? I pretty much just break stuff.. once I hear something break.. Im good. I dont do ir all the time though.. only when it gets real bad. lol.
I dont drink nor smoke.. and that's something Im really proud of. haha. Your post just made me think of getting a Nat King Cole CD or vinyl-- or even just a song-- something that I could play when I get into one of my tempers. lol.
I sound like Im such a witch.. but I really am not (most of the time..)
*bisou
My body shows when I'm under lots of stress. skin problems for a start.. now how do I handle? I try to think other things.. such as shopping (window shopping included, blogging, and workout?
if blogging gives me stress (not having anything to talk about for example) then I wouldn't know what to do.. best thing is to just go out and read other other blogs like yours! problem solved
i love what you wrote about stress, that it is used as a leveler to measure success. that is so true!
but that also sucks, and its really hard for individual today to have family and career.
teens these days? too complicated. but what am i saying, i was teen 5 years ago, and i still have destructive behaviour when im under preassure.
this edit is amazing. it was in v magazine if i remeber correctly. lily started to be a boring model. i know she is very pretty and everything but she is non stop in vogue uk, so im kind a sick of her. BUT SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONES!
in this edit. my favourite are g.an seemus, and h.rhoda!
simply 'cause they give this edit a "movie" feeling.
it's me again dear...
Happy Sunday to you!
I need a huge favor, please help me to congratulate my "contest" winner... trying to make someone feel very special!She is a sweet girl... her link is provided in my blog. Thanks a million!
lots of xoxo + blessings to you!
looovely pictures. I couldn't concentrate on your words (sadly) because I was so enraptured by them. beautiful.
and yes, the words were lovely too.
i really like this post.
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