I woke up this am, wrote my grateful list, did a morning blessing and YES, I was still a Grouch.
I thought about this a bit and want you all to know ITS”S OK TO BE A GROUCH – Its OK to be Grumpy. In this time of Covid-19 and I-only-see-you-thru-zoom world we do not always have to be positive. Sometimes it is just ok to let off steam, to complain, yell instead of singing the shower.
To honor the world’s favorite grouch, Oscar, from “Sesame Street,” National Grouch Day was created on October 15. 2005. This is a day to celebrate all the grouches we know — or to embrace the grouch that lives inside all of us. On this day no one can stop us from complaining, being irritable, or wallowing in misery. Because that is what grouches do! Also, this day teaches us that it’s good to spend time processing our negative emotions. On social media this a fun day with people posting jokes, memes, funny photos, and stories. I figured today was as good as anyway to be A Grouch.
In fact Oscar sang with Steve Colbert in 2013. You might want to sing along with him this am I did.
Or if you are younger you are probably a big fan of Grumpy Cat. She became an internet sensation in 2012 with videos like this one.
So if you wake up this morning and you don’t want to sing Kumbaya, roast marshmallows and make Smores and be full of light and love its ok and you want to express your negative emotions its OK.
Here are some things we can do:
- Embrace the Negative- Acknowledge your Feelings- Hug them – Let them Wrap Around You- Share What your feeling with a Friend or Professional
- Hit Pause if you are mad at a person, place , thing or circumstance or whatever you are feeling its ok to feel that way
- Acknowledge the Feeling
- Think what can you do to make you feel better-For me its writing about its Ok To Be a Grouch
- Take Action- My action is writing to all of you.
If You Are Having Trouble Thinking Of Ways To Help Yourself, Try One (Or A Few) From This List:
Mood Boosters
- Read the story of someone you admire
- Watch a funny YouTube video
- Watch SGN with John Kansinski
- If you have a pet or a stuffed animal give a hug
- Watch a movie you loved when you were younger
- Reorganize your room
Take a virtual travel tour
Address Your Basic Needs
- Eat a healthy snack.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Take a shower or bath.
- Take a nap.
- Draw how you’re feeling.
- Make a gratitude list.
- Punch a pillow.
- Scream.
- Let yourself cry.
- Rip paper into small pieces.
- Vent. Venting is not the same as asking for help, it’s taking an opportunity to share your feelings out loud. We do this naturally when we talk with someone we can trust about whatever is upsetting us. You can also vent by writing a letter to the person who upset you. Keep the letter a couple of days and then tear it up. Stick to pen and paper—using social media when you are highly emotional can be tempting, but you might say something you regret.
Problem Solving
- Make a list of solutions to problems – it can help to brainstorm with a friend of family member.
- Make a list of your strengths. There are plenty of things about you that are awesome, no matter how down you are feeling at the moment.
- If a person has upset you, talk with them directly. Fill in the blanks to this sentence – “I feel ______ when (this happens) because ______. Next time, could you please ________.”
- Volunteering/Acts of Kindness
- Do something nice for someone you know.
- Help a stranger.
- Volunteer your time.
Hobbies/Stress Relievers
- Learn something new – there are tutorials for all kinds of hobbies online.—I am taking the Free onLine Course The Psychology of Happiness From Yale
- Create – try a craft project, color, paint, or draw. Invite a friend to join you for added fun.
- Write – you could write a story, a poem, or an entry in a journal.
- Get active – dancing, running, or playing a sport are some good ways to get moving.
- Play a video game.
- Get a plant and start a garden.
Relaxation Exercises
- Practice belly breathing –put one hand on your stomach and start to inhale slowly. As you breathe in, imagine a balloon in your stomach filling up and continue to inhale until the balloon is very full. Put your other hand on your heart, feel your heartbeat, and hold your breath for 5 seconds. Now let your breath out slowly for 10 seconds – feel your belly flatten like a deflating balloon. Repeat this process 4 or 5 times and you should notice your heart beat slow down and your muscles relax.
- Play with Play-Doh.
- Go for a walk – feel the ground under your feet and the air on your skin. Focus on your senses.
- Find a guided meditation on YouTube.
- Do yoga – you can find videos on demand using your tv or online.
- Read a book.
- Listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook.
- Unplug – turn off your phone, tablet, and/or computer for an hour or so.
Ask for Help
And if after all that, remember it’s ok to be a Grouch. You won’t be that way for ever and in this environment its just ok to blow off steam.