This morning was a mess. We got up late (oh where is my Miracle Morning when I need it!), my husband had to leave early, the kids were arguing about their breakfast and the dog had an accident in the Living Room. Seriously.
Nothing spirals downward faster than a negative environment. I knew I needed to fix this situation, and fast!
Here are the 3 things I did. Maybe they will work for you the next time you hit a rough patch.
- Take a deep breath and assess the situation. What can I change? What is non-negotiable? I stepped back and saw the main things I needed were to get myself dressed, the kids fed and the dog put in the backyard. I also saw that the dark house filled with the noises of anxiety were not helping.
- Do what you can do and delegate the rest. I put on some fun music and turned on all the lights. Our surroundings can affect our behavior more than you know. The lights and music helped lighten the tone. I delegated the dog and her “issues” to my daughter and hustled back to get dressed and throw my makeup in a bag – I could finish in the car before my meeting. I had my son pull out the eggs and cheese so I could whip up their breakfast after I got dressed.
- Focus on the good and enjoy the journey. I did a quick mind re-set while I was getting dressed. I reminded myself that for so many years I had longed for children with a desperate longing…in other words…I asked for this! 🙂 I said a prayer of thanks for my kids. I smiled. Yup. A physical smile made me giggle. And when I came back into the kitchen, I sang along to the music while I made the eggs. I forced myself to change my attitude. I know a happy heart attitude is contagious.
[Tweet “A happy heart attitude is contagious.”]
I’d love to tell you my kids started dancing and singing with me and happily gobbled up their breakfasts with words of gratitude on their lips. That’s not actually what happened.
They were still a bit grumpy. But my attitude was better, so there was less tension and I enjoyed the rest of our time together before school much more. Plus I told myself, often it’s what is caught, more than what is taught that sinks in.
[Tweet “It’s what is caught, more than what is taught that sinks in.”]
So when they think of their Mama today (if they think of me at all!) it will be with the happy smile and kiss that I left them with rather than the surly frustrated face of the earlier morning.
And I’ll call that a win.
How about you? What do you do to shift the momentum when things start deteriorating around you? I’d love you to share! Just leave a comment below.
Love ya!
Christy 🙂