I've discovered lately that my day improves dramatically with the attention to a few very simple elements. Elements that are, shockingly, in my control. Now that I'm a working woman and all that, the monotony of days, despite the fact that I'm overwhelmingly busy 95% of the time, can make my week just completely unfun. And that makes no sense because I spend the majority of my time/week/life in the office. Sad, really ...
It's very self-help-guru-like, I know. I think I was inadvertently inspired by the O Magazine I flipped through last weekend. I'm becoming more aware of what gives me an extra boost when the day is more boring than watching CSPAN (sorry, DC), or more stressful than awaiting a metro train when the digital predictor lists no incoming trains (sorry, DC). Here are some of my successful happy day-makers:
- I take a hot second, at least, to give a cahoot about what I look like
in the morning. I wear my best clothes, try new combinations of
jewelry, try a new eye shadow color, or even just use a differently
scented body wash or spray. The good news is that in these hipster days, I can
get away with wearing a lot of things and be accepted, so I feel like my
options have expanded. Probably not, but the point is I try to walk
out the door feeling like a hot mama, and I wind up feeling more
confident and, subsequently, in a better mood. Yes, I do care about
what others think of me. So shoot me.
I read an article that said women make the impression of being smarter when they look nicer. The feminist in me grumbled loudly, but the columnist actually had a point. If you have taken the time in the morning to put yourself together on the outside, you appear to be more prepared for the day on the inside--you got a decent amount of sleep, ate breakfast, and are more alert and ready to rock and roll. Of course, these assumptions probably aren't true (my nemesis of a decent bedtime = OnDemand), but you can at least fake it until you really are awake and alert ... around lunch time.
- I designate something entertaining to do on my commute. It
actually makes me (gasp!) look forward to the time spent on the train or
bus. For example I totally dig the Washington Post Express news, found everywhere in seat crooks and from modern-day newsies. The crosswords are nerd-tastically fun and I arrive at the office fully aware of current events.
I also have tried to designate the listening of my favorite podcast, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! (you're welcome, NPR) for my time on the train or bus. Yes, I may be laughing out loud at seemingly nothing to my fellow transit riders, but I know all those who stare at me are just jealous that I'm having fun on my commute, and they're not.
- Spotify.
- I have fresh fruit and/or veggies to snack on throughout the day. I made a grocery trip just for my work fridge and stocked up on crunchy carrots, celery, cucumbers, etc. It prevents from filling my hunger with the readily available office candy, and instead eating a snack that crunches like a food label mom would approve. It makes me feel way better about snacking. Even better, I negate all the calories I burn by chewing said veggies by absolutely drowning them in ranch dressing. Nom.
- I make a huge effort to actually take a lunch break, and to use it to get a change of scenery, and get some fresh air. It works wonders to break up a day to stop looking at a computer screen and get out of the zone. Of course, I'm currently writing this from my desk computer during my lunch break. Erm ...this is not a good example.
- G.Chat.
- My desk is decorated with photos of my family, prints from my travels, a pretty calendar, and some posters/images/quotes that make me laugh. It feels homey, comfortable, and better about being in my office when it's pitch black outside at 5:30pm. Not cool, wintertime!
So there you have it: a potential recipe for a day that's a little bit happier. Because happiness is the core of everything.
For some reason I am just seeing this now. These are great suggestions. woo1
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