Under the weather

I really hope it’s a little slap of a autumn dip and not some sort of midlife crisis but these past weeks I’m not really feeling like myself.
Negativism has spread like the evil dark Spiderman takes over Toby in what is it Spiderman 3?

Normally I’m mostly really happy, positive and full of energy but now it’s kind of all gone.
I am a true believer of without the downs you will not have the ups but my problem is time. I want to get things done. Preferably yesterday. So I hate to wait it out.

This is not a post of getting me to feel better  -I don’t really want any cuddling.
I don’t want the pity and feeling sorry for me by anyone but my husband. That’s his job <3
My life is great but I am in some sort of process and I think my body understands this even before my body catches up.

The thing is, I bring this up because I notice lots of friends experiencing the same thing.
Everything spins so fast, all the images and inspiration and the wars, pollution and economical crisis from all over the world and all the perfect things and lives you keep on seeing on Facebook, blogs and Instagram can get all of us a bit delusional of what life is all about. And also I think we all set to much pressure of ourselfs. To have a fantastic career, be the best mums, lovely partners, good friends, look good and the list goes on and on and on. It is so easy to believe the hype.

But I have some things that make me feel better – it’s no rocket science but worth repeating:

1. Be kind to myself – Easily said harder done. It’s ok to be a bit down. It’s ok to sometimes be in a bitchy mood, be a bit jealous of stupid small things and not be happy over what you already got. It is just a phase, it will be better soon. Be kind to yourself also let you eat an extra cookie, wear comfy clothes and take a bath in stead of playing with the kids.

2. Say No – also easily said and harder done. But don’t plan to much, don’t do the extra things I normally squeeze in just because I want to help, it’s really fun or it’s booked since way back. No now- I’m taking my time. Even though I’m not liking it, slowing down I mean –  I still do it.

3. Plaster my smile like in a Hollywood movie. This one I’ve been trying the last couple of days. Laugh therapy kind of works and this is a variation of it. All small good things that happens I’m telling myself yeah this is GREAT! WOW it’s GREAT. Even if I force it and say it out loud. THIS IS GREAT! – guess what it works! When I read something about someone else that in my bad days would get negative I just tell my self – oh good for them. Even if I’m irritated about somethings that happens I try not to talk about it – not stay with the negative. I feel this helps. But also just because I have been doing the previous things alot.

4. Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Most of the things that occupy much of my thinking is mostly nonsense. Life and Death is not involved. It’s not going to be the end of the world if I miss to answer a mail, be a bit whimsy with a client or do something I am not supposed to like read during the days instead of doing the accounting or buying ridiculous expensive shoes. So I’m trying not to give a damn. It works too. This is the hardest bit but I’m working hard on it.


This 5 minutes talk from Ric Elias who was on the plane that crash – landed in the Hudson River was also a wake up call. It’s just something about the small things he says – well just watch it!

So eat lots of cookies, read a book and be kind to yourselves this weekend!
Laters!
XXX Isabelle

 

15 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

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Lena
September 28, 2012 at 10:38

Your post came at such a right time for me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Let’s be kind to ourselfs!

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Jenny Brandt
September 28, 2012 at 12:08

Du e så bra isabelle! (obs ingen pepp bara fakta)

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jessy
September 28, 2012 at 12:10

I feel ya! I’m still (after how many years?) not used to European seasons. (california girl was spoiled for the majority of her life…) Fall has hit (or is it winter?) and I definitley am feeling the weight of the world. Thanks for the post and little reminders ^^

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Anna
September 28, 2012 at 12:55

Fint!

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Linda
September 28, 2012 at 14:56

Tack!

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ellen
September 28, 2012 at 15:03

Så himla skönt med ett ärligt och opeppigt inlägg som inte blev deppigt. ärligheten for the win.
bra påminnelse. ska komma ihåg att unna mig att inte va på topp. tack.

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Martina
September 28, 2012 at 17:29

I know the feeling! VI hade ju för fanken knappt någon sommar alls i år. Min höstdepp brukar slå till i november men i år kom den tidigt. Bam! Så det blir Tove Jansson, te, tända ljus och praliner för hela slanten. Och kanske en skvätt rom..

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Melissa@Julia’s Bookbag
September 28, 2012 at 18:40

That was AMAZING.

Isabelle, thank you for sharing this video and your thoughts in this post. I love this time of year, but I also fear it because I know winter is not far and I suffer from SAD (seasonal depression from lack of light).

I’m going to link this entire post to my Cool Stuff list next week, and you go and be kind to yourself and have those baths! I think baths are deeply restorative. Add some Epsom Salt — it helps to draw toxins out of your body :) — I adore Epsom Salt baths!

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Johanna, Tiger Baby
September 28, 2012 at 20:31

Hej!

Vet du, du ger tröst genom att skriva detta inlägg. Jag känner precis likadant (eller iallafall det jag tolkar av texten ;)) och mina vänner känner likadant (inte alla men en del). Det där med att det snurrar för fort tycker jag är väldigt obehagligt. För någonstans måste det ta stopp. Jag tror att det snart kommer till ett stopp och vi får tänka om lite hur vi lever.

Vi som är lite äldre har ju varit med om en “lugn” tid innan datorer, smarta telefoner och reklam. Jag får lätt ångest av tanken att våra barn kanske aldrig får det där lugnet.

En annan sak är att tiden för reflektion är som bortblåst! Vart tog den reflekterande tanken vägen?

Ja, vi får se vad framtiden ger oss. Vi alla måste nog ge framtiden bättre förutsättningar än vad vi gör idag iallafall!

KRAM på dig och tack för inlägget!

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Maja
September 29, 2012 at 00:08

Oh my.
I must tell what I have just experienced in a hope I could make you laugh.

I was listening to Ted speaches for about an hour now, still on your blog.
And just while I was listening to a speaker talking about early human beeings
and neanthertals and this stuff…You looked at me. Haha.
I nearly dropped my soul. I haven’t noticed gif-anim for an hour. Gosh.

I hope you had a good laugh on my behalf. And stay kind to yourself ;)
Greets

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Isabelle McAllister
September 30, 2012 at 20:46
– In reply to: Maja

Haha maja that really funny! Sorry for scaring you!
Isabelle

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Carmen
September 29, 2012 at 13:18

Hi Isabelle,

Thank you for sharing your feelings. This makes the blog more human and real.

C.

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kelly harp
September 30, 2012 at 05:49

I so get what youre saying :). Thanks for the honesty. Though some people (especially on facebook!!!) seem to have perfect lives, i know in my heart we all feel this way sometimes. I thought your suggestions were perfect – especially being extra kind to yourself. Anne Lamott (fav author) talks about being militantly on your own side. I like that. Giving myself permission to just feel what i feel helps a lot, also i feel like doing something creative helps – like baking, or sewing, or whatever. Except when the project doesnt go well – then it can be a double whammy!! Oh well :)
Sending love your way!

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Isabelle McAllister
September 30, 2012 at 20:45

You are some cool great people! Thanks for all support and cheers! And of couse it’s nice to hear you say this but you know it could so easy be just about fishing for the comments. And if I’m nice to myself – that would be ok as well!
Lots of love!
isabelle

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Nassia | blove
October 12, 2012 at 21:59

I live in Greece! I know exactly the feeling! Really, I’m trying to be positive. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t! Thank you for sharing!