Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Turn that frown upside down

I have always taken things very personally.  VERY.

But you all know that about me.

When I was about 10 I was dealing with a bully at school.

My mom, ever the musical fanatic, sang me the song "I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair" from South Pacific, but instead of "that man" she said "that girl" referring to the bully.  Then told me to go take a shower.

Ploy to have her daughter bathe or not - the lesson stuck.

Although I have gone through phases of the extent to which I remember that lesson, when negative happens I want take a shower.  The choice, then, is to decide to not talk to myself and make the situation worse - and actually choose to let whatever it is wash down the drain.

Yes, at times, I also eat my negativity away.  That is a staple move for me.  A challenge of working from home is that even if I get a nasty email - the fridge or snack cabinet is mere steps away.  And, hell, if I can't find anything - I can BAKE something to eat.

Move over negativity - and entire bowl of cookie dough is on its way!

Recently, I've tried to make a negative into a positive.  If I get frustrated or mad about work (especially) or other things - I run it off.  I get on the treadmill and go to town.

It works, too!  By the time I'm done - I'm gasping and wheezing and don't have the energy to be pissed (much).

Don't get me wrong - these are the usual steps I take when I get frustrated...
  1. Trigger point: read email, end phone call, read questionable blog comment...whatever...
  2. Get up from desk and head to kitchen
  3. Stand in cool air of fridge cursing the fact that I still don't have anything good to eat here ever.
  4. Close fridge - check snack cabinet, repeat step 3.
  5. Choose to go back to the office because I don't need to eat.
  6. Re-read email, comment, notes from call.
  7. Get back up and head to kitchen.
  8. Make u-turn in kitchen.
  9. Return to office, blast workout music, and get on treadmill.
I admit, it isn't the most efficient system - but I'm working on it!  I still enjoy the showers, but one can only take SO many showers in a day, y'all!

A couple FYIs -- 

4 comments:

Kimberly said...

I like your steps. I need to learn step 8 in the worst way! Care if I print that list and stick it on the fridge?

Cort (Modern Super Momma) said...

Go for it! Yes, the U-turn is the most important step!

I need a stop sign on my fridge that says "why are you REALLY here?" :)

The Project Author said...

Thanks for the read and fun comment! Your routine, in this post, sounds like mine...the things I do, because I know I don't need to eat, but I still have to go there!

Ella said...

When I get frustrated, I just dip out of where ever I am.. unless I'm at the office.. then I just watch the clock until it is time to go home.

I don't know what it is about driving, but it relaxes me. It makes me remember that I am better and stronger than that because despite everything, I still rely on myself.


Love you.