Even as I wrote the title of this post, my inner pessimist tried to take over and call this post, “Turning Positives Into Negatives” hence the reason why I’ve been making an effort to employ my 2014 mantra:
“How Am I Going To Be An Optimist About This?” – from the song “Pompeii” by Bastille
I have no trouble seeing the bright side when it comes to friends, loved ones, colleagues, patients and clients but when it comes to myself, I have trouble seeing the glass as half full. Call it what you will, “perfectionism”, “hard on myself” or just plain “masochistic”, I clearly have some issues but since this is the year that instead of seeing the good only for others, I’m trying to find it for myself.
Finding the good hasn’t been easy. After having my amazing New Year’s Day 8 miler, my brain got a little heady with running potential – visions of half marathons danced in my head and even the Ragnar stared to take on a fairy tale-like glow but then a pin poked a hole in my fitness balloon.
Ever since the 4 hours of marathon fitness classes, my fitness mojo has gotten up and went. I’ve had one ridiculously terrible run after another recently. I’m talking the sucking wind-side stitches-forced walk breaks-tomato face crappy 3 and 4 mile runs that make you want to ugly-cry (thanks Kimberly for giving me that term).
Instead of letting the grip of impending depression get its hands on me, I decided to heed the words of my mantra and utilize an #optimistflip to make a list of all the negatives floating around and transform them in positives.
So here’s my attempt at cha-cha with thoughts that needed an #optimistflip.
I have no f@#$ing stamina now means
I have fitness progress to make.
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FU Spotify for stopping on my run now means
I get to listen to my breathing and adjust my pace.
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Arrggh, my spot in yoga class is taken now means
I get to employ some yoga-like thinking and feeling by experiencing a different perspective.
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There was no availability left in my favorite WundaBar Pilates classes now means
Thanks WundaBar for helping me get my core stronger, now I can incorporate some spinning back into my fitness routine.
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My computer broke and I don’t want to spend the money on a new one now means
It’s time to replace the 6.5 year old computer before it dies.
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Starting a business is overwhelming now means
Having the chance to put a dream into action is a fabulous opportunity.
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I didn’t get picked to speak at IgniteFitness now means
I get to enjoy the conference without being nervous about speaking.
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My schedule is packed now means
It’s good to have things to do, be in professional demand and have a social life.****
My child wounded me with his words now means
I’m proud to see an evolving person learning to express himself without fear. The nuances will come with time.
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“I’m so behind, I need to get myself more organized and efficient so I can…” now means
Work/blogging/emails/social media and everything else will be there tomorrow. Take the time to be present.
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What thoughts of yours need an #optimistflip right now?
I need ALL of these but especially the part about speaking at FitBloggin. I’m really bummed (as I emailed you!) and I’m generally very hard on myself as well. I’m going to take your advice today my friend and walk around with a better attitude!! Instead of “All this effing snow is ruining my planned workouts today” I’m going to say “I can use today as a rest day and train on both weekend days instead.” Somehow I don’t feel better…:-(
I needed this today… I woke up in an anti-optimist funk today. I seriously felt like ugly-crying right when I woke up. 🙂 I’m going to work on this though… I learned a trick about thinking of 3 things that you are grateful in the moment when you feel bad and sometimes that helps.
& I’ll be praying that you get selected for the 2nd round of Ignite chats!
Honey, almost every statement you made above could have been from *me* this week. The computer dying? Starting a business? Feeling behind in everything, kids, Spotify or for me Pandora stopping on my run! I am enduring one of the most difficult weeks I’ve had in a while. Sure there have been a few real challenges but the real challenge right now is my outlook on everything. You know what I told myself over and over and over again today? That fear is my bitch. Wonder where I got THAT from.
Oh I love this Melissa. I’ve been trying really hard to flip my thinking and make it positive but it’s freaking hard. There is a part of me that just wants to wallow in my self-pity. But I know that’s not super productive and in the end, doesn’t make me feel better. I mean, I still do it but I love your perspective.
Oh, I needed to read this – especially the statement about starting the new business. We bought a business in the fall and it is fun and I know will be good eventually but right now it is just stress, stress and more stress!!!
I keep telling myself that if I keep telling myself positive things my negative mind may make a change. Let’s hope my mind is less stubborn than I am. I’m bummed about us both not getting into FitBloggin’ – I thought yours was a shoo-in for sure.
Hoping that frozen tundra thaws soon!
I love that 3 things you’re grateful for! I’m going to try it. PS – Thanks for the link back and I apologize for the looooong comment on your blog. PS – Have I told you how much I love that you included your new look as a profile pic on your blog?!
So, so true! Thank you for putting this together. I have had these same thoughts lately and I need to flip it to the positive side. I also think that sometimes we are so close to what we want that something tries to push us back to see if we will really reach for it or give up.
Woot! Can I call you in a few weeks when my private practice stuff really kicks in?! I can’t wait to hear more about this blossoming. I’m hoping to tap you for a future Friday’s Featured Female when the dust settles for you.
I’m so prone to the pity party it’s not even funny. I feel like a phony putting out this philosophy out there but I’m trying and hoping it will soon become at least a small part of me.
Oooh, Kim I’m sorry for the stress but I’m curious about the business. What kind? I’d also love to hear some of your trials and tribulations. I bet we can help each other out a little with managing the stress.
Bri: I’ve never thought of idea of being so close that something that we want that there’s a push-back to see if we will reach up or give up. I’m definitely going to incorporate that view into my future. Thank you!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…so many days I need to turn it around and see the positive! This was perfect for me to read today. I’m so glad Ilene sent me over!
Thanks Michelle. It’s still hard not to feel phony as I try to utilize this new way of thinking but I like the idea of being more positive than so judgmental and crotchety. I don’t want to be crotchety but I do like the way it sounds in my head as I write it…. Again, thanks for the encouragement and I’m glad it helped you a bit.
Great to meet you, stopping by from the link at The Fierce Diva’s site! New follower for you, too! 🙂 These are amazing flips. Sometimes it is a deep concentration to get back to the positive, but I sure do try! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
Oh wow! This post was perfect. It was meant to be that I ran into you at #sitssharefest today. I’m going to stalk you now on every social media platform. And by stalk, I of course mean follow. Wink wink.
Just love this post so much.
Melissa – this was perfect for me today and unfortunately, probably every day. It’s so easy to get down and see my life from the negative and I need to stop. Your flips are not only a great idea but they are also realistic which makes them more ‘do-able’. I’m so glad you wrote this and so glad I found it.
Thank you Stacy! It is definitely hard to get back to the positive (I would have written back sooner but a negative – a nasty cold – got in the way). Glad to make your acquaintance!
Yay! Glad that we were able to “meet” and hopefully we’ll become great bloggy friends. Looking forward to hanging out via social media lady!
Thanks Stephanie. I’m still working on making those flips. It’s not easy but I believe it will make me happier in the end. We’ll keep on trucking together.