Is It Just Me? Or Is Everyone a Bit Tense These Days?

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you may have picked up on this crazy tension that is going around. A lot of it, no doubt, is tied to the election and the oh-my-God-now-what's-going-to-happen-I-have-no-idea-oh-my-God feeling that came immediately on its heels. But I'm wondering if there's more to it. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like January is generally a pretty tense time in general. Yes, there are the goals and the planning sessions and the big dreams and that's all great. But don't we put an awful lot of pressure on ourselves to make those things happen? I mean, less than two weeks in and I have a feeling that many of you are already thinking, "I suck. I can't even keep my focus for two weeks. 2017 is gonna suck." And if that's you... well, stop it. You don't suck. Cut yourself some slack and just go with it. It's January 11th for crying out loud.

Stop.

Breathe.

Smile.

It's gonna be ok, guys.

But January in general seems to come at a heavy price to those of us who use the turn of the calendar as a reset button. With the crazy highs of "Look at everything I'm going to do this year" and "Watch out 2017... you belong to ME" there are some serious lows. I have no doubt that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing and I'm sure it's contributing a bit, but it just seems to me that most people I've talked to are already overwhelmed and we're not even a full two weeks in.

What gives? Why are we making ourselves crazy? Is it worth it?

Here's a thought: let's not focus on what might be. Let's focus on what is. I'm writing to myself as much as I am writing to you but goodness knows I've been struggling with that feeling of "Wow this experience is NEVER going to end." But right now, in this moment, I'm good. My daughter is happily playing, my puppy is sleeping at my feet, my older children are expanding their horizons in good ways and Brian will be on his way home soon so that we can cuddle on the couch. Right now, I'm writing to you and the heat works and the electricity is running and my stomach is starting to rumble but you know what? I have food in the kitchen. Score!

I've never been a big fan of talking about gratitude. I was taught by others that gratitude is something you show, not something you discuss. But maybe we all just need a little more gratitude in our lives. Just a little. Just a quick thank you to whatever you choose to thank for the goodness in your life. For the fact that you're breathing. For the fact that you can read. For the shoes on your feet.

Maybe I'm being simplistic, but the worldly crush of cynicism is getting to me and I don't like that feeling. Not at all. I'm going to watch funny movies with my kids and read light hearted books and jot down a few things that I'm grateful for whenever I think of it. Because you know what? Life is good. It really is. Things aren't perfect. I've got some real shit happening these days, but don't we all? And through it all, life is good.

So, on that note, know that I'm grateful for you. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you would even take the time out of your crazy busy day to read these words. But know that I'm grateful and I'm pulling for you, as always.

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