Don't read this if you feel sunny: Lots of whining

Most of us working folk get up every morning, do what we need to do to start the day, get to the job, work (in theory), get back home, eat dinner, kick back (?), spend time with family, read, watch the tube, go to bed and then start over. I generally manage all that quite well. Until September rolls around. For anyone who has never lived in the Northeast, September is the month when, all of a sudden, you go out for your morning run at 5:20...and it's pitch dark outside. And you wonder to yourself, "How the heck did this happen?" It's the month that you arrive home from work and it's almost dark out. And you think to yourself, "Wow. I guess I won't go for that run." And to top it all off, it starts cooling down. It become down right chilly. It's dark and cold. And rainy! So you think to yourself, "Hey! It's cold and rainy. Guess I wont go for that run." And then a sunny day comes along and the foliage is spectacular and you all think, "Ah, this is why I live in Vermont. I am so blessed/fortunate/deranged." And then you wake up the next morning to scrape frost off our windshield so you can go to work. Meh.

But what I'm getting at here is that I even handle all of the bleh weather and cold. But if you combine that with a downward dip at work, watch out! Something goes wrong. Or a project flops. Or you have a misunderstanding with a co-worker. All of a sudden getting through the day is exhausting and trying. There is no joy in mudville. There is only nashing of teeth, tearing of hair and lots of wailing.

Here's to all the professionals out there who feel this way on a regular basis, or who actually live with serious depression, but keep dragging their butts through the day accomplishing work, creating success and not bringing everyone down with them.  Here are a couple tricks that I use:

• Make-Up! Slather it on. Haven't used that bright lipstick yet. Now's the time. If you look drab you are likely to feel drabber. I'm not talking about making yourself look like your nana when she used to put lipstick on her cheeks for blush and then seemingly rub the same lipstick all over her teeth. Just kick your make-up up a notch - but keep it professional.
• Guys: Don't do the above.
• Buy one new thing. Just one. A new shirt, blouse, jacket, shoes. Something that pops and makes you glad to wear it. "Well, hello, cranberry-colored pattent leather shoes! How you doin' today?"
• Guys: Don't buy cranberry-colored pattent leather shoes.
• Get a new hairstyle. Guys - here's one for you: if you're losin' your hair, get it cut SUPER short. Girls, if your long hair is making you feel drawn and wan, cut it off. Hair grows. And as I need to be reminded over and over again, I do not look like Pat from that old SNL skit when I have short hair.

Oooh, it's 5:47. I think I'll have a glass of Chardonnay!

Comments

[Arsi Namdar]

Good idea, Dawn. Now I'll go buy a pair of new shoes....