I know what you’re thinking. PLEASE not another post that tells me to:
“Stay positive!”
“Just choose to be happy!”
“Look on the bright side!”
“Smile!”
This is not that kind of post.
Your feelings are valid. Be pissed. Cry. Be anxious. Be sad. Tell everyone around you to fuck off today if you want to.
On days when I feel like shit, the last thing I want is for people to tell me to just “be happy.” It’s actually the worst. Because now, not only do I feel like shit, but I also feel guilty about it. Thanks for that.
When I am depressed, anxious, or mentally drained, I also feel guilty that I can’t get anything done. Completing a what-others-would-find-simple task feels like this giant mountain in front of me that I’m about to have to climb barefoot and without water.
So, I’ve decided to try something new. Since I feel like I never get anything done (which I know isn’t true) and feel guilty about it, I’m going to keep track of small tasks I complete throughout the day. I am willing to guess that I get a lot more shit done than I think I do. I am also willing to bet that paying attention to these small wins will make me feel a hell of a lot better about myself too. Dare I say, happy?
So if you find yourself wanting to track your small wins or need a little positivity (sorry, yuck), here are some things that my friend @mentalandmanic suggests we pay attention to.
I’ll report back and let you know what I did, what I said “absolutely fucking not” to, and if this actually made that mountain feel a little more manageable.
- Waking up in the morning (or afternoon, you’re alive!)
- Moving to the couch (you made it out of bed, change of scenery is good)
- Eating a meal or snack (fuel yourself with something, anything!)
- Taking a shower or bath (the ultimate form of self care)
- Making a craft (tap into your creativity)
- Writing a journal entry (release your mind)
- Calling a friend (or answering a phone call when you don’t feel like talking)
- Making it outside (fresh air, baby!)
- Going for a walk (movement over matter)
- Filling your fridge (money saving and proactive thinking)
- Emptying the litter box (caring for others, keeping your space clean)
- Attending a work meeting (boss energy!)
- Watering your plants (care for something living)
- Drinking a glass of water yourself! (Hydration nation)
- Washing your clothes or sheets (fresh start)
- Washing your dishes (cleaning products just smell like productivity)
- Having a friend you can call (you impact others more than you realize)
- Having a community online or in person where you know at your core you are not alone