Ever have one of those days where you just hate your life and you are feeling miserable? Yeah. It was like that this morning. One thing after another that made me think that my life sucks. And I was getting all grumpy and snarly.
So I tried to talk myself out of the mood.
But that DID NOT WORK.
I was resisting my bad mood.
Resistance makes everything more difficult. So I decided to just steep in my “I hate my life” mood and really wallowed around in the feeling and stomped around for a bit declaring to myself how much I hate my life.
I let myself HAVE the bad mood, instead of resisting. Then I was more easily able to move through my cranky feelings.
Within about an hour, I started laughing and realizing that my life is not nearly as bad as many people. I don’t live in a third world country, scrounging for food. I am not jobless or homeless. And I can pull myself out of the mud when I get stuck.
So sometimes, instead of fighting yourself, stomp around and be upset. Be overly dramatic in a room by yourself and let the feelings roll.
Note: If you involve other people, make sure to let them know that you are being a Drama Queen on purpose and that you would like validation for how awesomely dramatic you are. Otherwise, people might try and talk you out of your feelings which actually invalidates you (and might leave you more cranky).
Another way to handle a bad mood is to jump up and down when mad and just say “No! No! No!” Act like a toddler. Flail about in total madness. The physical act of expressing anger, moves anger much more quickly through your body. And jumping up and down helps your body reset itself.
Instead of resisting your bad day, embrace it and see what happens. Report back here if you feel so inclined.
If not, good luck with your “I hate my life” day.
I hear you. Sometimes we have to be cranky, sad, or whatever “negative” emotion we are feeling to move through it.