I lump rain days in the same category as teal glitter, smoky eyeshadow, and cinnamon-spiced vegan eggnog: occasionally sensational.
I used to loathe a rain day, especially when I rode the subway to work in New York. A horde of wet, smelly feet in one constricted space equals an intoxicating stench. By the time I schlepped to the good ol’ day job, I’d remove my socks and grimy water would drip from them.
Now, I work play from home. I get to curl up with my dogs, a journal, and a hot cup of green tea and gaze at the rain as it pounds our weathered deck.
Yesterday was one of those days.
As the murky sky darkened, my husband called to tell me that he was leaving work, and he asked what I wanted for dinner. I craved a bowl of homemade soup and warm, gluten-free rolls slathered in vegan butter.
He brought home the ingredients for broccoli soup, because he’s such a sweet husband.
I’d never concocted this soup before, and if you’ve ever followed vegan, gluten-free recipes, you can appreciate that some are triumphs and others are supreme failures. Don’t get me started on the mac and cheese disaster of 2009.
Like any decent chef, I tasted as I sautéed the onions and potatoes, added the basil and salt, and simmered the broccoli. Two words for you: yum yum.
After an hour preparing this soup, the last step loomed: add six ounces of plain soy yogurt and heat through.
Oh yeah! Finally, I could settle in front of the television, dig into my bowl of soup and warm bread, and watch the next episode of Lie to Me with my husband.
Except that didn’t happen. The unopened, just bought yogurt was rotten. A fact I wish I would have realized before plopping all six ounces into the almost finished soup. It curdled. Picture chunks of yogurt floating among bits of broccoli. Repulsive.
To say I was pissed is like saying Mayi Carles is a tolerable partner {Ummm…no! She’s the best partner ever!}.
I would love to tell you that I conjured the grace of Kate Middleton and crafted another tasty dinner. Nope. I threw a temper tantrum that could rival any five-year-old just discovering Santa Claus is a fake. {Give me a break. It’s that time of the month.}
After forty-five minutes of serious pouting, my husband and I decided to dine on tomato sandwiches, so we could salvage the bread we’d heated.
But, I wasted forty-five minutes in my sour mood. I could have spent that time savoring the company of my husband and dogs while noshing on something just as yummy—just not what was planned.
I’m confessing this, because this week’s episode of Wednesday Wisdom is about happiness and how it influences your work and creativity. I also included three instant happiness boosters.
Ready to turn that frown upside down?
Let’s play in the comments below. Share something that {or a few somethings} makes you giggle with glee. I’ll start: hand-knitted knee high socks {thanks to my sister-in-law, I have a lovely pair of these}, side ponytails, cotton-candy pink, and freckles.
I think I peed in my pj’s.
WAIT…. ok no. But that was close HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Brilliant episode. I want it to be next Wednesday already 🙂
Yay!!!!!! 🙂
That was a great video! And, boy do I need to take 5 and self-nourish! I am so busy, and have lost that joyful creative feeling. It was even hard to come up with things that make me feel happy!!! (that’s bad) Definitely, doing something NEW…creating something new is my favorite thing to do. I like the idea of going somewhere new with my husband, too..this .weekend maybe? Colors make me happy, too…I recently bought a new sketchbook with heavier pages so I can sketch in fine Sharpie and flow some watercolor paints over top of it! Now, I need to actually do some sketches in it! And another thing that makes me happy is when I buy really beautiful organic produce and display it in the kitchen…i guess that’s still color…drinking fresh carrot-celery juice makes me smile and feel great! Thanks for helping me stop and come up with some happy thoughts!
Kathy, I totally feel you on the colour thing. Colour makes a huge difference between a mediocre day and a super happy day! I think that’s why I feature vibrant colour so much in my work. It gives me joy working on such cheerful and bright accessories, and I believe that translates to bringing joy to my customers too 🙂
Thanks Kathi!
These are some really fun things…I’m glad you took the time to come up with some and decide to take a some time for yourself. It’s sooooooooo important to take care of ourselves!
So true! Every time I feel down or mad, my head won’t work, ideas won’t flow and food won’t taste good… But sometimes is hard to be happy all the time, I think being sad or even mad is good now and then, it helps you see life in a different way (for those 45 minutes of cooking) and when you come back you really appreciate “being happy”.
Definitely agree with ya, Nicole! It’s impossible to always be happy and if that’s the goal, you’re going to be severely disappointed. But, it’s also important to work on boosting your happiness–it takes work to be happy. It doesn’t take that much work to be miserable.
so true about being around other happy people — it’s contagious! I like to leave little sweet notes on yellow sticky notes on my coworkers mice. Drat! Now that the secret’s out I have to try something different! 🙂
The bloopers at the end had me giggling hysterically! thanks for that!
That’s fun, Alicia! I bet you’ll come up with something else…you sound like someone who loves to make others happy.
Oh, April – I could feel your soup frustration from here. Sometimes you just gotta have a pout and get it out of your system (says the Queen of Tantrums).
Things that make me happy –
Purring cats
My dog singing with excitement when I get home from that day job
Warm summer breezes full of floral fragrance
That slight chill in the air that tells you winter is coming
New art supplies to play with (just got some 7 Gypsies drawer cards – delicious)
Baskin & Robbins macadamia icecream (also delicious)
Songs that you can’t help but dance to or sing along to (actual talent for either not required – lucky for me)
I do a grateful speech in my car on the way to That Day Job – and after I say all the things I am grateful for, I tell the universe how I want my life to be. I describe in great detail what I want my business to look like, my perfect day, I describe my dream house and by the time I get to That Day Job, I feel amazing. You don’t get to say that too often about a day job….
Hahahahaha…yes!
Thanks for your list…one of my dogs makes this purring noise when we rub him…he kinda sounds like a cow mooing. It’s hysterical and makes me laugh every time.
That’s awesome Coral. What a great tip for people who arrive at the day job feeling awful!
April this is so true! I have had a recent significantly sad event in my life and I have noticed just how much if has impacted on my brain function in so many areas including my creativity.
I really needed to hear this at the moment as I find myself having to make a conscious effort to be happier something I usually just take for granted.
I am temporarily back in my old field of work and have been facilitating some self esteem groups for women, amongst others, and I
have been talking to them lots about self care and giving self care activities for homework. I really get the importance of this stuff but have not been putting it into practice for myself. I was starkly reminded of this at a training course earlier this week when I was the only participant who forgot to complete the self care activity they gave us for homework.
Thanks for the extra reminder. I think the universe is trying to tell me something this week ….lol!
I’m so glad I can play a part in the universe telling you that you need to take a little time for you 😉
It’s so funny that you say that you lead groups where you give the advice but don’t always follow it, because I think we all do that sometimes. I know I’ve been there!
Perfect advice! I’m sharing this with someone special that really needs it!
Awesome Kim! Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi April,
This was just what I needed today! Thank you!
I’m so glad! 🙂
Hi April, I came home frustrated from my day job and this episode was in my inbox at a perfect timing! I love the research you shared about the happiness and productivity; that is amazing. Your action steps reminded me that we have control over our happiness 🙂 Thank you! Ps. I love your backgrounds in every video!
Thank you Mizuho! I’m glad I could add a little happiness to the end of your day! 🙂
Perfect timing! I just ordered a glue gun yesterday – yes, that made me happy – now I can’t wait for it to arrive so I can start on projects I’ve been wanting to do for years!
We always need to be reminded that we deserve to be happy and surrounded by happy people to make us more productive!
Hahahahaha…I get happy when I order crafting supplies, too. The other day I ordered some decorative tape to use in my art journal and when it arrived, I couldn’t wait to use it. Those little things do make a big difference for me!
OMG April, I love your tips, they are always so good but your bloopers make me squeal with laughter!!
A tip for happiness? watch your bloopers or someone elses! cute animal and baby videos are usually really good too 🙂
Yay! I love squealing with laughter!
Thanks Karen!
Hello April, that was too cute, thanks for sharing a bit of yourself having fun with us.
for me it’s dancing, like to take little mini breaks and just dance. and Have to agree with
Ameena getting new crafting toys to make more stuff is always a good thing!
Of course, Paula! Thanks for adding some things to the list!
Knitting! It makes me a happier and more relaxed person 🙂 Mostly it’s the small things that make me happy – I keep a notebook for the happy moments of each day beside my bed and write them down each night before I go to sleep.
Knitting makes me happier, too. I can’t stand meditating, but knitting is one of those things that helps me quiet my mind and relax.
Great episode! Thanks!!! Hmmm…what makes this girl smile big… Seeing others smile, the colors blue and/ or orange, dancing, talking with my sister…it’s all about the little things!
I agree…the little things can make a huge difference if you take notice of them!
This is just too awesome. I am so happy I came across it today.
Hello.. I’m a recent follower yet first time posting here `=]. This video is so cute! I love the idea of helping others out, it definitely does make me feel happy to know I did something for someone, even if it’s as small as opening the door. I need to do more each day!
Hmm as for giggling with glee.. watching comedic TV shows & movies // crafting // walking in the park // manicures // colored pens & cute stationary.. wow didn’t realize the list can go on!
OMG!!! That was so funny!! I love the out-takes!
I get the Giggles when I find those big Gluten Free sugar cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles, I think I get just as excited when I find a yummy GF roll too. 😉 YUM!
I get OVER-THE-TOP excited when I’m on PINTEREST, PINTEREST, PINTEREST!…I’ve joked that I need to be on a treadmill when I play on PInterest so I have don’t have an anxiety attack. no joke, totally serious…it almost happens every. single. time.
I {{heart}} PINTEREST!