Friday Things // 01.21.2022

The one about annoying days.

Jan 22, 2022

Hi friends. How are you?

I am having a day where just about everything is annoying. Ever had one of those?

It’s been a collection of little things, really — disappointments, and small inconveniences (like my coffee order taking longer than expected to be ready, and construction blocking my path) — but enough that I found myself changing into lounge-y clothes before 3pm today and crawling onto the couch.

Included in the disappointments were multiple rejections from the universe today — doors slammed shut for things I’d put my name into the hat for — and I’m trying to remind myself that there’s surely another door, or even a window, waiting for me further down the road that’s a much better opportunity. That the universe is trying to do me a favor right now. I should be grateful, really.

But, you know, that practice — that mindset — is easier said than done.

I got a text from one of my best friends today asking if things are getting more annoying or if we just have a lower tolerance for things at this point, and I think it’s the latter. Like I’m finding myself running very low on patience and understanding at this point, with things getting under my skin far more easily than they would have pre-March 2020. It’s something I’m actively trying to work on, because I know everyone is just trying their best right now, but it reminds me that we’re all sort of at the end of our ropes. One thing after another, and we’re worn the eff down.

I guess the overarching lesson here is grace. Grace as in…. giving yourself the space to have bad days or tough moments, and the chance to just stop judging yourself for your reactions. And grace for others, and for the messy universe.

On a related note, I heard something on a podcast I was listening to today that I had to immediately write down because a lightbulb went off as I heard it:

“If it costs my peace, it’s too expensive.”

(That quote came from Olympic gold medalist/runner Natasha Hastings in this episode of the Hurdle podcast.)

I think that can apply to so many things in our lives, big and small. And for me right now, worrying about things I can’t control and getting angry or impatient over things that I am unable to positively affect fall into that category. Too expensive! Unnecessary.

And really, there’s probably a lot of other things that could apply to these days. Sounds a lot like boundary setting, if you ask me.

That’s the vibe I’m taking into my weekend, and hopefully the rest of 2022. That, and the reminder that it’s never too late to restart your day and shift your mood. Honestly, if the last two years have taught us literally anything, it should be that life can change in a moment. In a breath. So, why not use that to our advantage and just shake up our days and our moods like an etch-a-sketch whenever it starts to feel like the train is going off the tracks?

Maybe get yourself a doughnut too…. it helps. (I had one for lunch — highly recommend.)

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So Many Somethings

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