Happy Day Challenge: It Ain’t Always Easy
So quite recently it’s come to my attention that God did not mold me to be the teacher of 10 three-year-olds. I will finish the week strong…with my head held high, but I can sleep comfortably knowing something more about myself. That nugget paired with changes on the horizons, decisions to make, and sore muscles; it’s been a tough week to be super joyful.
You would think that being around 10 3 year-olds that run in 10 different directions and do 10 different things every time they’re asked to do one, would make me appreciate my well-behaved children causing me to treat them with things like gummy bears and cotton candy. Oh the contrary, my friends. For some reason I do the opposite.
I’ve been really crabby this week. Really anxious-feeling. Kinda pouty. Sort of confused. I’m worried about summer…I know that sounds weird. But it’s racing by. I want ‘simple’ and things just seem to be more complicated. I want to sit and do nothing but Smash the stuff in my Smash book that I’ve had accumulating for weeks. That’s all I ask! Can you tell I’m kinda still in that mood??
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This week, this challenge is mostly for me…and for all you crabby Nancys that feel confused/anxious/pouty/and pissy like I do. So here’s the challenge…that’s not really a challenge, but a poll more or less.
What do you do to shake a bad mood?
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I would not say that mine is completely shaken but I did my best yesterday afternoon/evening as I was holding down the fort alone while Jarrod was at a work thing. Here’s what I did:
1. Took the kids to the pool. If I stayed home I would just be crabby with my kids…who I really am so appreciative of at this moment. I decided going to the pool and getting nothing done at home was better than staying home and being crabby.
2. Phoned a friend. Do you have a phone friend? Like somebody who won’t just say what you need to hear? Somebody that will let you vent but still have a positive outlook for you and still level with you and still get you????? I do. I have a few of them actually. I am blessed with such great friends. This one made me feel instantly better yesterday. I hung up relieved to have spewed a little bit, knowing that she doesn’t think any the lesser of me for it.
3. Made a Kashi frozen pizza. It was dinner…in the summer…when Jarrod’s gone…and it wasn’t cereal. Instant confidence booster.
4. I opened the door and let the lace curtains sway. I should really remember this one because it always seems to make my house feel like a sweet little island cabana or a beach cottage on the Outer Banks. Instant mood changer.
5. Thanked Jesus for my kids that really DON’T make me that crazy. I mean really, I think they do, but I know now that they don’t . They are so good. They love each other. They love me. They are happy. They make me smile most of the time. They fall asleep after a long day of VBS and swimming on the couch at 6:30pm. And they eat Kashi Spinach and Trio Mushroom pizza…how cool are they?! I love them. Thanking Jesus for them is a good shaker of a bad mood.
6. Grabbed my pen and paper and make lists…of all sorts. When my mind is a jumble, I have to sort it out somehow. For me the best way to do that is to make a list; lists of prayers, lists of to-dos, list of groceries I need, lists of blessings, lists of things that are confusing me…just lists. When I see things on paper my mind feels like less of a mess. Are you like that?
I did all these things yesterday afternoon and evening and I can’t say my mood was totally turned around, but it was definitely better. It’s a challenge sometimes just to be in a good mood! So that’s your challenge…tell me, how do you shake a bad mood?
If you did last week’s challenge, you’re probably in a great mood…seeing your freshly fluffed room(s). I can’t wait to see what you did!!!!
Link up below…
i was just talking to a friend about having a bad attitude. that it's okay for us moms to have one, but the kids have to be behaving perfectly.
i really struggle with getting out of a funk. sometimes it's just deciding to be happy. at least it is for me!
This is so sweet. Real and honest. I admire that. I too choose to get out of the house, versus sit in it and be crabby. Things only seem to get worse if we sit and wallow in it. My kids are little, so on especially hectic days, I put them to bed early, then stay up late getting all sorts of things done. I don't listen to music, tv, talk on the phone…nothing but soak up the stillness, listen to myself, and get things done! Then I eat some ice cream, watch something silly on tv, and go to sleep 🙂 Hope you have a better day today!
A summer breeze is a great cure for a crummy day! I myself had an anxious day and to shake this feeling I prayed. I prayed that in my time of doubt I would find more faith, more willingness to serve and think less about myself, and to have my family all under one roof again. I already have some prayers answered and it only renews my faith in God.
And I too am glad I don't have 10 three year olds. Oy!!
I was aggravated with my daughter yesterday and I phoned my husband. He and I go for a walk alone every night before dinner and the first thing he said was, "You need to go on our walk." He was right. It helps me physically release my anxiety and he was there to listen to me vent my frustrations. Other things that help me: being alone, reading, writing out the situation and thinking about reasons why it's not so bad until I come to a positive outlook, and if all else fails watching trashy reality shows with a bunch of junk food 🙂
Oh good topic. I feel like I have to have something pour INTO me when I'm like that. Often of course, it's about getting my focus of myself which is the last thing I want to do when things aren't going my way and I'm crabby about it. I've been off and on right there with ya babe.
A talk with a friend usually always helps. A good run does too. Hope that friend that made you feel better yesterday was me;) Love you
i love your transparency here.
i was an absolute beast last week…for real.
i LOVED my kiddos at Bible school, but the devil had me SO tied up in worries and fears all week, that i got nothing done at home except criticize and it was almost like i was paralyzed for a few days.
ugh.
i have SO much to be thankful for, and i was asking myself this question,
"why do i have more patience with other peoples kids than my own?"
it's like i take it out on them, but they are my gift and treasure, and it is so very wrong. i didn't extend grace very well.
so can you tell this struck a chord with me? 🙂
i literally NEED him every minute…especially during those crazy times otherwise the devil steals my joy and i let him!!!
i love this idea to ponder.
i hope you have a wonderful day and i'll pray for you.
xoxo
ps we love kashi pizza, too. 🙂
This is such a good challenge my friend! I don't really have a plan to adjust my attitude. So I'm thankful to have to think about it this week! Because I definitely have my cranky spouts.
After a week of 3 year olds, I think what you need is some kid free mommy time. Wish I could pop on over and watch your kiddoes for you! I hope you do something fun for you today!
Love you!
for me it's just about keeping things in perspective. of course, the Bible helps, too! but, back to the perspective… realizing that my problems or whatever are really small in light of eternity… that helps me so very much. and singing worship songs out loud or in my head is always good medicine!
Oh gosh…you have picked a terrific topic for next week and it will take me until then to sort through my thoughts on it! I am a list maker as well so that will help. Happy Wednesday, Alicia.