How is the Happy You Different from the Unhappy You?

Short Steps to Success

The happy me doesn’t mind waiting in line. The happy me doesn’t mind missing lunch. The happy me is not concerned with what other people think. The happy me smiles more than the unhappy me.

The unhappy me is anxious. The unhappy me doesn’t want to go outside. The unhappy me would really, really like to eat all day. The unhappy me wants a drink even though I have been sober for at least 20 years. The unhappy me tends to whine. A lot.

The happy me can write at the drop of a hat. Plant my butt and I’m writing.

The unhappy me can’t think of one good thing to talk about.

The happy me can do the laundry.

The unhappy me would rather not get dressed.

The happy me is busy all the time.

The unhappy me can’t think of one good thing to do.

So, I sort of alternate between being happy and being not exactly unhappy, but sort of bored, morose, and lazy. Occasionally, I will get angry, but I’ve stopped watching a lot of the news. Not seeing the orange-haired one has helped with that.

The reason why I think it is important to know how you are feeling, happy, unhappy, angry, or bored is that you can, with the last three things try to do something that will help you to attain the happy you again.

The reason why I think it is important for you to realize that you are upset about something is that with me anyway, the unhappy state of mind can last a long time. I have experienced that.

Like I said, years ago I alleviated the unhappy parts of my life by drinking. I’m sure there are people out there who do drugs, smoke weed or mushrooms, or whatever. Mostly, they say whatever it is they are doing is good for them. Personally? I don’t think so. I know the drinking wasn’t good for me, even though at the time I sure thought it was a fabulous solution. It’s 2:00 pm? Hey, let’s go have a beer.

Here are a few things I do to pry myself out of a bad mood:

Smiling. Even if nobody is there. Just smile. Better yet, go look in in the bathroom mirror and smile.

Take a deep breath.

Do some arm exercises. Punch some air.

Just for a minute sit there and think about all the things you are grateful for.

Write in your journal for 10 or 15 minutes.

If you are able, walk up and down a flight of stairs a few times, just to get the blood going. If you don’t have stairs go walk around the block.

When I find myself afraid to go outside, I will stand on my porch and imagine myself walking across the street or down to the corner. These are places I can see from my porch. Just pretending, but somehow those things help and the next day I find I am able to go down to check the mailbox.

These are all baby steps, but that’s all we need sometimes are short steps toward success.