Although I had a good day yesterday, for some reason last night was kind of difficult. I was spending too much time on Memory Lane but decided to try something new. Instead of getting too emotionally attached to thoughts, I acknowledged them and tried to move on. I also have to keep reminding myself that no one has great days all the time. Some days might just be ok or even not great but not bad either. Life is not just black and white and living in the gray area is something I am learning to do.
This morning I woke up not feeling well physically and also feeling a little self-conscious. I was also having a bad hair day. When these days come around and they inevitably do, I’m finding the best way is to just act like it’s a going to be a great day, or as I’ve heard a million times, “Fake it ’till you make it.” So, today called for a power outfit. One of my “power outfits” is more of a cute little semi-French outfit. It makes me feel really feminine and it’s nice to have a confidence boost when you like what you are wearing.
Today I had my Philosophy of Creativity course and since it is during the hours of 12 to 2, I needed to bring some sort of snack with me until I could have a later lunch. Dried fruit has to be one of my all-time favorite snacks. It’s less messy in a classroom and a little more discrete. And Luna Protein bars are just delicious because they all taste like candy bars to me.
I used to love Sobe LifeWater but for some reason I’m not feeling it much anymore. These days I much prefer flavored coconut water or the Mamma Chia drinks. But I digress.
Throughout class I held onto my tangle because my nerves were going crazy. I was having a lot of racing thoughts and I had to stop my mind from wandering off. Today’s class wasn’t as discussion based and that was a little disappointing. I much prefer being able to debate with fellow students.
Now however, I feel compelled to do something about this melancholy that has come over me. Perhaps it’s the gloomy weather outside or thoughts about my least favorite holiday coming up in 12 days, but I don’t want to get in the habit of letting myself indulge in sadness and regret, which is what Valentine’s Day brings up for me. I’m not saying that it’s not ok to be sad, but considering my past history with depression, it’s important for me to actively work through the things that are upsetting me.
I’m going to put on some good music, pull out my DBT skills training manual, and log a few entries in my DBT log. I also have my very first real yoga class tonight, which I am excited to tell you all about after it happens. I’m going in with the intention of enjoying myself and learning new things!
Your turn: What do you do to help yourself get through sad days? If you have ever taken a yoga class, do you remember your first one?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This post was a good reminder for me that just because a sad day comes around, it does not erase all the great days that were before it. It does not erase anything. One of the bases of the DBT model is staying in the moment and I’ve been struggling with following through with that skill.
Getting through sad days, though it may not seem this way in the moment, has gotten easier over time. Reminding myself that “Susan, there are days, consecutive days, that you have not felt this way.” helps me realize that this emotion will not last forever. Staying aware of what I am feeling in the moment and accepting it, knowing it will change, helps me move forward.
Today specifically, before I even got to school I knew it was going to be a rough day. I did not let myself feel or give myself a break. I was in a hard shell and that put me deep into emotional mind. However in spite of my melt down, I was still able to pull skills and use them in the moment and with the help of my clinic’s on-call therapist, I came up with a plan to help me take care of myself today. I came up with what I was going to do today and following through on it feels great.
Did I answer the question? haha
Thank you for replying Susan
I’m so glad that you did and I’m so proud of you for using your skills and following through with your plan today. You should be proud of that too because now you have proof that you are you able to give yourself a little bit of a break and take care of yourself. I like what you said about having a sad day not erasing all the good days that came before it. No one can be at a 100% or 90% or even 80% all the time, but I think that taking care of ourselves and letting ourselves feel those emotions but not being too attached to them can be really helpful.
It must be something about the day, because I’m feeling so blah this afternoon. Maybe it’s the weather or frustration from work, but today I’m sad too. And I don’t have a a super cute power outfit on….But I did go to yoga and will run later. Sometimes moving helps move emotions through me. Hope it does for you too.Have fun at your first class!
I’m sorry to hear that you had some sadness going on today too, hopefully tomorrow will be different. I did enjoy the first class and can’t wait to do more yoga! Have a good night, Keri!