it's gonna be alright
two days ago i was feeling blah.
unproductive. lacking energy. that overall sensation of listlessness that sometimes pays a visit.
and a close friend said to me: "esprit is a great word for this year! the cure to your blahs. see, april, these ups and downs are the mind of a creative person. and that's not a bad thing. creative energy - accomplishment highs - and then the down part. maybe. just my theory."
i like her theory. and i'm oh-so-grateful for her friendship. because i certainly have my share of dark days. i know i should have been changing my thinking, looking at the situation from a new angle, reframing it as an opportunity. but sometimes i don't feel like listening to my own coaching. i just feel like being annoyed, irritated, depressed, sad, angry. one day ago my feelings were hurt.
deeply. to the core. in the way that only family can pierce your heart.
and a dear friend asked me: "do you feel like you've been kicked in the stomach? never let anyone's actions change the way you feel about what you are doing. their problem, their decisions they have to live with. you are an amazing mom, wife, sister, and friend. and you know your mom would be proud of you."
beautiful encouraging words from another true blue. someone who's known me for a very long time. because, as a matter of fact, i did feel as if i'd been attacked. i know i should have been shrugging it off, focusing on me, and dismissing the pain. but sometimes i need to nurse my wounds, and feel at least a little bit sorry for myself. in my left out, ignored, slighted, forgotten state. today the question is . . .
what do i do with all of these hard-to-swallow feelings? the ones that well up unexpectedly, but with grand force, threatening to alter the course of my day, week, month, year, life?
i'm generally a happy person. although i can be a bit cynical at times, i usually have a bubbling-over kind of energy and enthusiasm for life.
but sometimes i lose that spark. sometimes i feel as if the universe is running me over. erasing my jubilance, telling me to pipe down, popping my proverbial bubbles.
and in these inevitable moments, i simply need to cope. i need to take deep breaths and remind myself that, as life goes on, so will i. here are nine ways i personally handle these dark storm-filled days:
i wrap myself in my immediate family's embrace (my husband and sons can always make things better)
i dance to loud peppy music ("i shake it off, i shake it off" - thank you, taylor)
i journal, journal, journal (including thoughts of revenge i will never act upon and a few strangely-satisfying swear words)
i comfort myself with delight-filled rituals (like a hot bath with poetry and scented candles)
i cry (messy soulful stuff guaranteed to get the angst out)
i read (either for inspiration and encouragement, or for pure escape)
i bundle up in a down throw and watch a favorite old sitcom (like "i love lucy" or "seinfeld")
i create a colorful new outfit to wear (pulling separate pieces from my closet together for a fresh ensemble)
and when i begin to feel stronger, i let the various thoughts and emotions swirling around in my head coalesce into a plan of action
it's gonna be alright. so now, of course, i turn to you. what is your go-to solution for the blues? ******* welcome in 2015 with a transformative journey through my 7 essential elements.
a delicious encounter with self. weightless. [maxbutton id="1"]
