by Dr. Karen Sherman www.drkarensherman.com Dr. Karen Sherman offers information to help couples deal with potential relationship difficulties. Thank You and Goodnight You're back from your honeymoon, still floating on "cloud 9". Though your big day is over, there are many memories that you replay in your mind. The procession, the vows, greeting friends and relatives, the first dance. What a very special day! Now, the frivolity is over and you are left with the task of writing all the "thank-you" notes. As much as you enjoyed all the smiling faces and well-wishers, you are faced with a task that is probably far less fun. If your marriage is typical, this job will be the responsibility of the bride - at least the writing part. As you look at the stack of cards sitting in front of you, you might wonder if it really was such a good idea to invite so many people. Though not an insurmountable job, this can be tedious and stressful. There are just so many to write and such little free time available to do so. Anytime you are faced with a chore that seems too big, it is advisable to break it into several smaller parts. Everything does not have to be done at once. How you go about dividing the entire chore up will depend on what makes sense to you. Perhaps, you will respond to the people that you do not feel you have to write a lot to and so you can get a bunch out of the way quickly. Or, you might do small groups of people who know one another. That way, if you send out a group at a time, no one in the group will feel neglected because they have not received your thank-you. Maybe there are some people who are very formal and will expect a quick acknowledgment (you can ask parents about any of these types). Or, you can just work alphabetically doing a few at a time. The particular method you choose is less important than the fact that you do this. The people who rejoiced in your happiness by giving you gifts are rightfully entitled to a timely note of appreciation. This topic may really seem like a non-issue to many of you. However, it is a good example for other things that will come up in your life as an adult. Here are some pointers that will help general concerns: If something you have to do seems unappealing, break it down into smaller parts that are more manageable. If there are some times where you really do not want to do something, give yourself permission to let it go - temporarily. Do not delay too long getting to the project because procrastination only promotes not getting to the task at all. Ask others to help so that the full burden does not fall on you. This will help ease any resentment you might feel and, of course, make things go faster. Copyright © Dr. Karen Sherman www.karensherman.com