I was flipping through my Facebook newsfeed on Monday when a status update from YogaDownload.com caught my eye:
(paraphrased) Try not making a permanent decision for your temporary emotion. Take some deep breaths if you are upset or emotional before you decide to speak. Words are powerful and cannot be taken back!
And I thought…wow — are you in my head right now?
For all the ways in which I am an organized, Type A, measured person, I have a small but vocal side to my personality that includes in-the-moment reactions to people and events. More often than not, I react in the moment and pay for it — with apologies or embarrassment — later.
Source: thatonerule.com via Jessica on Pinterest
I had an emotional breakdown this weekend over something very small. A cupcake. I wanted one in the worst way, but couldn’t get my hands on one. Could I have made my own? Yup, but the thought of measuring ingredients overwhelmed me. Could I have found a store that carried them? Yes, but that involved traveling when I wanted it now now now the way I wanted it now now now.
Bratty, I know.
I flipped out at the person closest to me (poor husband) and got my crazy emotions out on the table. And even in the moment, I knew that I wasn’t really upset over a cupcake. I was overwhelmed at some other big decisions that I’m facing in my life, and choices that need to be made. I’m struggling with balancing some projects that I’m committed to, and being the best at everything I do.
Thankfully, my emotional outburst was short with no permanent consequences. But if I’d been in a different situation, I could have really made life difficult on myself or others. That would suck.
This message spoke to me this week, and I thought it might resonate with some of you, too.
About Katy
Before I did my decisions I’m struggling with balancing some projects that I’m committed to, and being the best at everything I do. Thanks that you’ve shared.
I think I need to plaster this saying to my forehead b/c that pretty much sums up my life. The worst one of all was deciding to move from FL back to NY when I was sad and missing the seasons in late October when it was still 90 degrees down south. I’m living with that consequence still since it’s not so easy to pack up and move again when jobs, mortgages and other “adult life” responsibilities exist.
I saw this on Facebook last week and it totally hit me, too. I’ve been guilty of doing this so many times.
I have been there. I hope everything works out.
I’ve done that before, and it’s the worst feeling ever. To snap at The Boy because I”m grumpy about other things.
Recently, when I’m grumpy about something, I find somewhere in teh house that needs cleaning. Last night I was grumpy about wedding readings. I cleaned the ktichen. It helped me work out that emotion while being productive.
My mom used to say something similar to this when I was in high school, PMSing and crying over boyfriends and thinking I should break up with them. She’d say “don’t make that decision while you’re feeling this way. It’s a bad week for you.” I’ve used this advice countless times since she first gave it to me and it’s paid off in situations serious and not-so-serious.
And ironically, this just reminded me that it’s a bad week for me and I shouldn’t put too much weight into some of the anxiety and crappy feelings I’m feeling today. Thanks, Katy!
Keep your head up!
Our yoga class on Saturday morning was all about letting go of the emotions, the story you build in your head. It was an exhausting practice because of it, but I have to say, I have felt AMAZING since then. Let it all go. It feels so good.
I hate it when I let my emotions overwhelm me and then I take them out on my husband. It usually takes me a bit to calm down and to realize that whatever I’m upset about is only at the surface. There is always something deeper underneath.
I need to remember this! I tend to react quickly – I can usually handle a situation appropriately, but sometimes let my emotions get the best of me… especially lately.
Thank you for sharing…now I need to find a cupcake.
I love this post!! I am the worst at responding immediately. I am the kind of person where what I’m feeling is clearly displayed across my face no matter how hard I try to hide it, which is a blessing and a curse. Every time I’ve taken the time to step back and breathe, my response has been so much kinder and more level headed, or at the very least well thought out. Thanks for the reminder!!
I totally need to remember this! I think I have been living on temporary emotions for the last week! That is still temporary… right?
Wow, this one really hits home. I can definitely relate because I tend to be a very emotional person. And my poor husband is a saint because for the most part, he puts up with it. I’ve been working hard to really focus on the important things and if I feel something starting to well up, take a few deep breaths, try to refocus and remember that I have it pretty good.
I feel like so many of us are feeling stress and pressure from every angle and it can really build up. Thanks for posting this reminder today!
Wow, how wise and definitely something I work on everyday. I have a habit of burying my emotions about real issues and using small issues (like a cupcake) to air my grievances. While I am pretty aware of this piece of wisdom, it was a wonderful reminder. Just stumbled on your blog via the DailyBuzz, so glad I found it. I’m in Central Florida, too! Yay!
Good luck on all the major life decisions coming down the pipes, with someone as self-aware as you, I have a feeling all will come out juuusssttt fine.
Love the first one. I can’t say how many times something has blurted out of my mouth and a moment later I was surprised/embarrassed/sorry. It pays to take a deep breath first!
I love the “don’t reply when you’re angry,” part. Reminds me of what my mom always says, “Wait 24 hours replying to an email that made you angry.” #momsknowbest
YES.
rule #182 only took me about 35 years to learn, too
Katy, You and I are twins., of course we are ages apart, Im 39. uh, the horror. I’m the same typical type A person who reacts first, thinks later and then must apologize..I hate apologizing too. I think a minute is taken off my life for each time I do a foot in the mouth moment. that’s probably why I have aged so much in just four years. Im slowly learning to re-evaluate the situation, write it down then speak it to the person if its something major. Other than that I have been trying to be calm and not fret!