Snap Out Of It
You know when everything seems to be going incredibly well and then one tiny, minuscule, bad thing happens and it feels like you're completely thrown off your path? And it's not even that you're actually thrown off the path, it's just everything you think starts to take on a negative tone and it can quickly become toxic. Not to get all "self help" on my accessories blog, but I've had one of those weeks where my headspace has been clogged with hesitation and self-doubt--thoughts that can all be traced back to an incredibly minor hiccup, unworthy of the gravity of this spiral of uncertainty. Such is life. The trick is to remember that happiness is a choice and how we decide to see things is what will determine our mood, our thoughts, and ultimately our work. So what practical things can be done to change the outlook? Here's how I get proactive.
1. Get some perspective. This happens by getting out of my head and back into reality. Spending extra time with my kids is the easiest way to get back into the "big picture" mode of seeing what's truly important and has real weight. I've found that another great way to adjust my mindset is by helping someone (either volunteering my time, visiting a sick friend, or lending a hand to a friend in need). We're all busy, but I know that when I help someone, I really end up helping myself. [Throwing up in my mouth at the level of corniness, but it's the Gd's honest truth.]
2. Exercise. This is coming from someone who claims to be "allergic to fitness." I really hate working out, but it's absolutely the quickest way to snap out of a funk. When I feel out of control of any situation, I feel an overwhelming need to do something productive. Even though hitting the gym is usually the last thing I ever want to do, I'm always a different person after a good work out. Knowing I spent time doing good things for my body is an immediate upper and it also does wonders my head. When I'm listening to music and focused on working hard physically, my mind doesn't have room for any dramatized over-analysis of what's going on in the rest of my life.
3. Bring the bling. Since I was in middle school, any time I was going through a rough time with friends, boyfriends, or a tough class, my mom always told me to put on my biggest, most fabulous earrings and go conquer the day. Yes, I grew up in Texas where the mentality is "the bigger the bling, the closer to Gd," but I promise it works. I still remember the pair of giant pink crystal hoops from Stanley Eisenman's I wore to break up with my 8th grade boyfriend. It's much harder to be in a tragic mood when you are wearing a huge pair of Oscar de la Renta crystal tassels. I call this jewelry osmosis. The sparkle really translates from the outside to the inside. Try it. Let me know.
