Wrong side of the bed
We all have those mornings. Waking up, not wanting to do the day. Annoyed, angry, dreadful, or worried. Anything and everything sounds like a chore. These days either continue much the same, or they change.
*Side note - I am personally familiar with both scenarios, and I guarantee they both have very different outcomes.
Scenario 1 (Quick fix solution)
The alarm goes off, the dread sets in, the snooze button is pushed. Alarm goes off again, snooze button pushed. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
You finally wake up, you grab your phone, and check social media. Ahh, dopamine and a cute dancing puppy reel. It’s enough brain happy chemicals to get you out of bed, stumbling toward the kitchen while checking your email. Dread and avoidance kick in again, but at least you have coffee to look forward to. More dopamine followed by adrenaline, not to mention the extra boost from the Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice creamer. You sit down with your coffee, and scroll through the news. It’s good to be informed and have an opinion, but look at the time! You have got to be at work in 30 minutes! Rushing to get ready, you throw a bagel in the toaster, take a quick shower, grab your bagel slathered in cream cheese (yum), refill your coffee, and run out the door.
Driving to work, the annoyance, anger, dread, and worry seem to be at bay, until someone cuts you off. A violent honking and flipping of the bird puts you back in boss mode, though. And for the remainder of the day, if any of these negative feelings arise, they can be quickly remedied with some sugar, more coffee, reels, complaining, and talking shizzzz behind your co-workers back. It will give you enough boost to get you through the day, and your glass (or three) of Cabernet Sauvignon that’s waiting for you at home is like a giant bright and shiny dancing carrot singing all things hopeful. You need hopeful, because your work right now is either a.) overwhelming, b.) meaningless, or c.) empty. Some days all the above.
The workday finally ends, the Cab is cracked, and Netflix reigns king.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Scenario 2 (Embracing the process)
The alarm goes off, the dread sets in, you get up anyway. You take a deep breath, make the bed, and set the intention to move. You choose one or two of the following: a.) Yoga, b.) Qi Gong, c.) A brisk walk or light jog. The moment you feel at ease, you practice self-compassion, followed by some reflective reading and journaling. You woke up with a feeling of frustration and dread, so what. We all do at some point, because we are human. And you love yourself for that. Ahh, now you can enjoy your coffee (sans sugar) and breakfast (protein and healthy fat, of course).
Driving to work, the feelings of annoyance, anger, dread, and worry come back, but you breathe through it. You feel it. And you dance with it while listening to a personal growth or educational podcast. Suddenly, someone cuts you off, you roll your eyes and white knuckle the steering wheel, but then you smile because you remembered that you cut someone off the other day (not intentionally), and they were totally nonreactive. You breathe. And you relax.
The negative feelings arise here and there throughout the day, but they are mild. Kind of like clouds floating by. Until you get stuck on one, and then suddenly snap at a co-worker. You shake it off, and apologize, saying that you’re just working through some stuff. The co-worker gives you a hug, and walks away. Suddenly, your work doesn’t seem so overwhelming, meaningless, or empty, but rather supportive. You remember that you are in transition and aspiring for something better. Something more in line with who you are and how you want to serve the world. It’s the bright and shiny dancing carrot that is singing all things hopeful. Regardless of the feelings that arise, you return to the source. You are embracing the process.
Soon the workday ends, and the real work begins.
After all, if things don’t change, things are very much going to stay the same. The beautiful thing is that it’s always our choice…
