When you are just in a BAD mood? I mean, a really really foul mood. That’s me today.
Surprised? I have no idea why. Therapists are people too, and we make mistakes, snap at our spouses, and sometimes willingly sink into a temporary pit to wallow in our own gloriously foul moods. The only difference is that then we have the guilt of “I should know better!” after the nasty mood passes (well, I do, anyway.)
But should I? I mean, come on. Stuff happens. Kids argue – loudly and seemingly unceasingly. Spouses misunderstand. Trees fall on houses (true story. Ours was removed today by my husband and a good friend of ours. Before that, out front year was a scene out of Twister). So why feel guilty? Shouldn’t I have the opportunity to be base and small-minded, and jealously guard my bad mood, nursing it tenderly?
Yes! I think vehemently. Yes! I get to have a bad mood too!! But I know: I am still accountable for what I say and do during my bad mood, just like everyone else. Worst of all, I might hurt someone in the midst of my bad mood, or miss a great opportunity to be with my family. Drat.
So how am I going to retrieve this bad-mood-day? (Incidentally, it is a *beautiful* day outside where I live: gold sun and bright blue Saturday sky, not hot or cold, just perfect. The exact opposite of my internal weather. Of course.)
Well, the best I can figure is to mix together some grace for me with a healthy dose of thinking-before-I-speak to others. If I can’t say anything nice, I will go one step further and remove myself from the situation, lest the not-niceness creep out. I’ll spend some time later with my family and some beloved friends, which I know will help. Laughing with them will definitely dull the sharp edges of my mood. And then I will go to sleep early tonight. I don’t know about you, but not having a good night’s sleep is almost a guarantee of one degree or another of a snappy mood the next day. Then I’ll say a prayer and hope for the best.
Plus I’ll put on some Bon Jovi. That’ll help.
Leave a Reply