Yesterday … I had a crummy day.
In the beginning of my day, all signs pointed to “yay – this day rocks!”
I woke up early, drank my almond butter + jelly green smoothie, sweated through Pilates, then headed off to the salon for a fresh cut and color touch-up. Plus, I got word that my guest post for Tiny Buddha was going live (big guest-blog goal – check!)
Aaaannnndd … then it happened.
As I was trolling around on Facebook + Twitter while relaxing at the salon I stumbled on two things that threw my day into a tailspin.
One was a super cool opportunity … that I wasn’t included in.
The other was someone copying my hard work.
My face and ears immediately felt hot. I couldn’t think straight. In that moment all I could do was internally whine + bitch + complain + sulk while my hairdresser was sharing all the salacious scoop on all of the must-go-now restaurants in Napa.
Soooo … then I was super grumpy AND I couldn’t remember any of the scrumptious places she mentioned.
Sigh.
I left the salon and just wanted to make a beeline for Taco Bell to drown my sorrows in a meximelt (or 5).
Instead, I decided that I wasn’t about to spend this day in a foul mood, or in a fast-food coma. I reached deep into my mental bank of expert wisdom, advice + inspiration to crush this crappiness and bring back the happiness. Here’s what worked:
Party with your Feelings
Earlier this year I participated in a workshop called Committed Impulse led by the amazing Josh Pais. Josh is a super-talented actor + director with hundreds of credits (plus he has the coolest fiancee on the planet.) He taught us that when we experience feelings like anger, nervousness, or sadness to party with that feeling. Really feel it … experience it. Before you know it, that feeling begins to subside, and the more you let yourself feel it, the quicker it goes away. It totally works.
What are you Craving?
One of my favorite sassy gals Sarah Jenks teaches in her mind-blowing Live More, Weigh Less class that when you have that deep urge to down a pint of ice cream or a bag of chocolates (or Taco Bell) that you should ask your body what it really wants. It’s usually not the food that we desire, which leaves us with a nasty stomach ache and still craving something even after housing an entire pint of Ben + Jerry’s Chunky Monkey.
What I really needed was a good giggle and some fun, away from the clutches of social media. I played a game of hide + seek with my pups (always good for a smile), cranked on the new Jay Z, and had my own little mid-day dance party.
You Have Everything You Need
When I need a boost of confidence (or anything … really) I turn to Erika Lyremark of Daily Whip. In her blog post The Surprising Truth About Red Carpet Dreams vs. Reality Erika shares how to relax into our reality – where we have all the love, money and resources we need. Erika reminds us that we.are.enough. I have this post bookmarked for an instant hit of happiness on dreary days.
Fortunately, it is Not Required for Happiness
My gorgeous friend + copywriting muse Alex Franzen teaches how many of our focal points are ultimately not required for happiness.
Sure, I wish I would have been chosen for that super-duper-cool opportunity. Fortunately it is not required for happiness.
Sure it would be nice if no one took my original advice/teachings + years of experience and copied it. Fortunately it is not required for happiness.
As Alex says, once you release the “not required’s” you’re left with things that really matter. Delicious food, a good night’s sleep, breathing fresh air … and giggle-snorting while rolling around with the pups.
Franzen wisdom gets me every time.