We all have them. Shitty days. Admit it!
And in 2020, didn’t it seem like you had more than your fair share?
One day late last summer, I drove into the office for the day. It seemed like everything went wrong that day. I couldn’t get anything done on my To Do list. My meetings ran long. There were customer complaints that ended up coming to my desk. We had an incident in the warehouse (thankfully no one was seriously hurt).
And then, I had to drive home—my new, 45-minute, occasionally annoying commute home.
So, I did what most people do, I called a friend to vent. He said, “So how was your day?”
And I said, “It was shitty” and, consequently, I was in a shitty mood.
Then he said what was potentially the most life-changing comment to me:
“Everyone gets to choose what kind of day they have. Are you sure you want to choose shitty?”
I was slightly annoyed at that moment, but admitted, that, no, I didn’t WANT to choose shitty.
So my friend reminded me that we each get to choose how we react to stressful situations. Some people get up and walk away from their desk. Others power through stress. But, realistically, we choose how we react and what our mood will be. Will we take it out on the next person we see or talk to? Or will we take a few deep breaths, look out the window and daydream about something happy?
For me, ever since that day, when things are NOT going the way I expected, or tensions get high, I say to myself, “I get to choose what kind of day I want. Do I really want to choose shitty?” Saying those exact words are a positive trigger for me. It reminds me that my mood, my approach, my reaction is completely my choice.
I know I am NOT the only person who is having a rough day, and there are tons of people out there who have it far worse than I do. So, I mindfully decide, I am going to have a good day. I will make the best of things. Sometimes I get up from my desk and walk around just to clear my head. I might do a few deep breaths. Oftentimes when I meditate each morning, I set my intention for the day.
How about you? Ever have a rough day? Ever call a friend or coworker to vent? Ever feel yourself starting a pity party for yourself? So, how about this instead? Next time you are headed down that “whoa, poor me…” spiral, how about saying to yourself:
Everyone gets to choose what kind of day you have. Am I sure I want to choose shitty?
Have a fantastic day! I plan to!
Karen
