Of course we try to make it seem as though life is just one big laugh and a great party, but that is just not always true. Sometimes you just have a shit-day and Monday was that day for me. It started at home. I stubbed my toe, dropped my keys three times, forgot something only to realize after descending three flights of stairs and then having to trek back up again to try find it. And the night before I had slept bad so I had zero tolerance for anything.
Once in the office, I entered the crazy, busy fray, got bombarded with questions where I had no answers to and all I could do was sit there behind my desk with steam coming out my ears.
“Um, have I done something wrong?” asked an intern referring to my stinky attitude. The answer is no, no one had done anything wrong, I was just stuck in my own grumblings and could only manage anger for the WHOLE WORLD without any good reason that would leave me with a drop of rational in a normal conversation. Anyway, around 2 pm the misery gently began sinking a little and I started to feel myself again, eventually recovering completely. And again I was the humanitarian. That oh so nice and sweet girl I so naturally am (…). So, whenever you have one of these shit-days. This is how to shake it off.
Show your cards
This is very important. Immediately say out loud to anyone bothered to listen to you that you’re potentially in the mood to have a tantrum attack. I call ‘Monday-itis’ almost immediately: “Guys, I’m in no mood today and it’s going to take me some time to get into it.” Not only does it lighten the situation, it is also good to let the rest know where he or she stands. And if they are clever they will steer clear.
Give yourself a timeout
Probing from other people is simply oil to the fire. Questions are the worst ever because ‘no I don’t know where the keys to the editorial bicycle are. WHY SHOULD I KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM. FIND THEM YOURSELF. BOY OH BOY, LEAVE ME IN BLOOMING PEACE WILL YOU!’ Or something along those lines. Now is the time to go sit outside, or in a quiet spot in the office, and let all the rage caaaaalmly slide away. Inhale, exhale.
Do something fun
Bit hard when you’re in the office, but on my non-office days when I’m angry at the world, I go for a walk to my favorite department store and all those beautiful things that hang there help me to return to my usual cheerful self. If you’re stuck in front of your computer than net-a-porter is a great alternative. Because let’s face it, there is no one who is not made happy by a hefty dose of Sophia Webster.
Eat something
Something that you would not normally eat, or just something you very much desire. I have that fateful Monday calling to stuff my mouth with green frogs, my ultimate favorite candy. To say that I was therefore directly in the sunny-happy-go-lucky-house, no, but hey, any excuse to eat a candy frog is reason enough.
Vent
If you say out loud why you’re grumpy, you’ll hear for yourself if it makes sense or totally does not make sense and that really, really helps. With me, I recently had a sulk that I had to cycle on the Blue Ivy office bicycle instead of my beloved Daisy bike. I was so tired, I’d bumped my toe and dropped my keys and um, and it goes a bit like that right? Total nonsense of course. So fine, be cranky and get all your grumbles out, but then realize that maybe you’re being a whining little child throwing a tanti and it might be time to bite your tongue. Easier said than done, but without it being said it can never be done. You have to start somewhere.
