Illustration of the beautiful Beyonce

So last night, I got 4 hours of sleep after a full crazy and hectic day of running around with back to back meetings and projects all day. This was after I had been rushing to get ready yesterday morning in under 15 minutes. If you know me, you know that 15 minutes is NOT enough time for me to get ready.

So today after a long day and week so far with 4 hours sleep (and you know I need my sleep!!) we had to get up extra early to get ready before the hot water in our building was turned off for scheduled maintenance. Yet, to my surprise the water was nothing short of frigid before the scheduled time.

This week has also been a very exciting one with amazing new projects and ton of orders, and extremely busy at the same time. Sprinkled in the mix this weekend was some personal family health issues that are thankfully now resolved. All of that combined plus I have been overwhelmed (in a good way) with last minute holiday orders that are all going out all this week.

Needless to say, I was very cranky this morning.

So today’s blog is about turning around your day.  Anything from getting up on the wrong side of the bed, or even just being in a bad, angry, stressed or anxious mood at any point of the day, believe me it is totally possible.

1) First, take some extra time for YOU if you are able to.
Spend an extra 5-10 minutes in your bathrobe while you eat breakfast.  Make or get a nice healthy and hearty meal for yourself that you can sit down for at least 10 minutes and slowly enjoy (as opposed to eating while pacing back and forth between the bedroom and bathroom while doing my makeup as per usual in the am!).

At any point in your day, when you feel the tone taking a turn for the worst, stop and take some time for you.  Take a walk outside, grab a snack, call a friend, just do something that makes you happy that’s a quick pick me up.

2) Stop and take a nice deep breath. Center yourself and calm it down.

3) Next think of all the things you DO have, and how grateful you are for them. The heat in your apartment, your food, the fact that you even have hot water to be turned off for maintenance, your clothes, your work, family, significant other and friends etc. The list can go on and on but literally think of all the things that you are grateful for, especially this time of year.

It’s so easy to get in the “wrong” holiday mood -I’m talking about Grinch mode here – with all the festiveness, crowds, spending and holiday marketing pressuring you to feel happy. Sometimes it just has an adverse effect.

Now is the time to center into what it really means for YOU to enjoy the holidays, and that doesn’t mean blowing your bank account on things you think you need to be spending on.  Things like family, friends and how much we have already are really important things to remind yourself of, particularly when around every corner you are being prompted to also NEED this new shiny thing.

4) Treat yourself. Today I treated myself with a grande… did I say grande? I mean Venti soy Oprah Chai latte, an Ethos water and a gluten free, dairy free chocolate peanut butter cup pack from Justin’s organic at Starbucks. The $10 I spent was completely worth it since I have a long time ago cut off my Starbucks spending unless for things that I deem “special occasions”.  To me, “special occasions” qualify as getting 4 hours sleep and deserving to feel good and awake at my next meeting.

You decide what you need for the day.

5) Listen to your body. Lately I have been feeling claustrophobic with all the winter layers I have been wearing, so today I opted for bulkier, baggier more comfortable yes still obviously chic apparel.  Your body knows what it needs, even those little details, so listen to it closely.

6) And if all else fails, use this little trick that I leaned a while ago from one of my spiritual guru’s seminars. Sing to yourself (in your head please) to the tune of any of your favorite songs, but because it’s being played everywhere I have been signing it lately to Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you.” I changed the words I my head to repeating the mantra “I’m so grateful”. Now sing it in your head to that tune and fill the words in that you want. Trust me this may sounds silly, juvenile or whatever you want to say but it is guaranteed to make you feel better, happy and grateful and a sure fire way to turn around your day.

Hope that helps on a day that you need the extra inspiration!!!

Xoxox
Emily.

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel