When You Just Can't Handle It

Hello, Beautiful!

Ok, so what if you're not a woman or you don't have money for the QFAD Remedy? How can you pull yourself out of whatever funk you're in quickly enough to enjoy your day? As a radio DJ, I have a lot of experience in putting on a smile on days I don't want to. Sometimes, it's delusions of grandeur (i.e., my fans need me!!!), but for the most part, I follow these simple steps:

1. Give yourself 15 minutes to feel. You can feel sad, depressed, numb, pissed, whatever. Really immerse yourself in the feeling. Listen to appropriate music,write an angry email, etc. If it's anxiety you feel, this is a little bit tougher, but still possible. Let your imagination run wild with all the worst possible scenarios.

2. Identify what has you in the funk. Then say, "if Brittany Spears can get through 2007, I can get through today."

3. Now, if it's late at night or you have to pull yourself up quickly, acknowledge the fact that you're in a safe place and you can press "pause" on your feeling. Then hide it in a mental box. You can lock it up if you're worried, but keep the key close by. You're not shoving the problem under the rug, you're just saving it for later.

4. Come back to that feeling later, repeating steps 1-3. Then, when you're ready, identify things you can do to fix the problem. If you're like me, make a list. Lists are fantastic because you have a visual on what you have to do. This can be as creative or linear as you want to make it. Then DO IT! This is where So. Much. Stress. really comes in handy.

Now, start living your life for you, Superstar! And don't sweat the small stuff (everything is small)!

-Alaska