Case of the Blahs or as my boss calls it a “hooded” day

I learned a new word yesterday that seemed to match my mood perfect.

Hooded:  Hooded defined (according to my boss):  A day when all you want to do is put on a hoody (with the hood up) and block out the rest of the world. The term” hooded” is best used for blah days, sad days, stressful days, and sleepy I don’t want to get out of this bed days. I picture myself wearing a hoody like a hug, arms crossed and squished so far down in the sweatshirt that the neck meets my mouth and the sleeves are long enough I can pull them over my hands.   

Yesterday, I just felt blah. Not grumpy, not frumpy, not sad, not anything other than blah.  You know that song Da Da Da? if you don't here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_i5LL5RVNA (Da Da Da days are a whole different thing) Yesterday, I was singing the Blah Blah Blah song to the same tune. I think it was just a combination of sleep deprivation, the fact that it was Thursday and not Friday, a house that needs a good scrubbing, and a mile long to do list. Life in general was just a little overwhelming and if it was a 110 degrees out, I just might have pulled that hoodie out.  


We all know this feeling. Blah is that voice in your head that mocks you and tells you, you aren't good enough, you don't do enough and you can't relax because there is laundry to fold, dishes in the sink, and floors to vacuum.  “Blah” happens when we focus on the bad and forget the good.  Blah, is a feeling we get when we want or need something, but aren't sure what it is….  When I am in a “hooded” mood, I just want to wrap up in my favorite quilt on the couch and tune everything out, or even better lie on the floor wherever I am and stare up at the ceiling and shout "I’m DONNNNEEE! I’M DONE WITH THIS DAY! HEY DAY I AM DONE WITH YOU!!!," then go take a nap.  Personally, I think it is a normal human emotion to occasionally just want to lay on the floor and shout at the ceiling, however whoever made up the rules of, "how to behave in society" decided at some point that once one reaches the age of two or three he/she should suppress these outburst.  Since, I can't actual do what I picture doing in my head and suppression often leads to explosions; I've had to come up with a new way to power through those blah moments or days.  Basically, the best solution I have found is just not to have them, dismiss them, send them packing, tell them, “GET OUT OF HERE STUPID BLAHS I AM NOT DEALING WITH YOU TODAY!.”  I believe in the power of perspective and I know it works, but it takes practice, lots and lots of practice.  


Here are a few tricks (that work when I remember to do them) that I use to help those blahs to move along:

• Think about (and write them down so you don’t forget) at least 3 things you are grateful for.
• Instead of thinking about all the not so fun tasks that need to happen on any given day, I try to start my day thinking about the good parts.  Good things happen every day, it doesn't matter if they are teeny tiny, sometimes the small goodies are the best goodies.
• Remember why I do whatever it is I dread doing.
• Tell myself "I'm not tired" and stop saying "I'm tired" it's amazing how much just this trick alone helps. Instead of reminding myself how tired I am, I tell myself I have the energy to do this and it makes a huge difference! Try it.
• Remember my mantra "I can do hard things"
• Keep it in perspective.  How important are these stressors? Are they even going to matter in a day,week,month,year...nope. 
• And when all else fails, watch this and believe it :D