Life is good. Busy, stressful, overwhelming, but oh-so-good.
In an effort to shut up my whiny self and stop being a Negative Nancy to remind myself that, I’m going to record five things from every day that bring me joy. I’m going to be starting a little Happy List in my sidebar again and update it regularly if you care to play along.
I’ve said it over and over – but my new job is demanding of my time and energy. I love the work I am doing and the high school girls I am working with. It is just So. Great. And I’ve started seeing my friends more regularly; making a real effort to keep in touch with wonderful people who live in my city. This week, in fact, I have plans with four different friends – how awesome is that? (The fact that I am excited about this and telling the Internet on my blog? Shows you this is totally not typical for me.) Yesterday, I enjoyed coffee and conversation with Megan (and we were totally serenaded by a guy and his guitar – he even incorporated our names into his song. Too cute.) Today I’m hanging out with a college friend/teacher at my school over pumpkin spice lattes and then going out to dinner with my DOCTOR friend (who is younger than me and makes me feel completely unaccomplished – she is a DOCTOR. And became a DOCTOR at age TWENTY THREE. Psh. Overachiever.). Friday, the other 20-somethings at my school are going to the wine bar to bond over the fact that we’re closer in age to our students than most of our colleagues (and sometimes get confused for high schoolers…oh, wait, I’m the only one?).
Despite all the happiness in my life, I’ve been sort of oozing negativity. Seriously – oozing.
After venting to Mike about a particularly difficult work situation last night, he challenged me. (It’s so hard to be challenged by your husband. I JUST WANT YOU TO AGREE WITH ME, MIKE.) He pointed out what I’d been dreading for someone else to recognize: I always seem to find fault with my coworkers/work hours/cubicle/SOMETHING ABOUT WORK.
Which, while it was tough to hear, it’s true and either means a) I tend to get myself into difficult work situations, b) My standards are too high, or c) I am channeling Negative Nancy. So, I am choosing to focus on improving my attitude. I went in this morning bubbling with optimism and happiness – I was all cheerful and talkative and brimming with smiles.
(Let’s not talk about how long it lasted. But…um, it’s the thought that counts?)
I’ll take it one day at a time. Five happy things at a time.
What are your five happy things (uh, definitely not because I am lazy and need ideas…)? More importantly: What do you do when you realize you’re sort being a grump-face?
(What’s with all the questions lately, Ash? Well, I’ve realized there are a heck of a lot helpful, smart people who hang out around these here Internets. And who are just waiting to give their smart, helpful advice. And I would bake them all cookies if I could. Or brownies. With peanut butter chips. Mmm.)
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