Your inner "Happy Place" Q & A

**Hopeless Dork** · 01-26-2010 12:26 AM

Most of us have those moments, the ones where some dark negative thought creeps into your mind and it can be any number of things, triggered by any number of things.

These can be minor worries to full blown panic attacks, usually plagued by insecurity, doubts or fear.

I've learned the quicker you stomp out the negative thought, the easier it is to let it go and be happy again. That letting it fester, letting it compound with even more bad ideas leads to a much slower recovery time.

So I have a few questions for you ladies and gents to copy and then paste your answers. I think it will be insightful to see how we all cope with negativity!!

The scenerios below are all hypothetical, they don't have to apply to you directly, just put yourself in the shoes of someone they might apply to. Copy and past the situations into your post. Answer the following 2 questions underneath each scenario:

a. What negative thought might creep into your mind?
b. What can you tell yourself to redirect your emotions to something positive?

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse.

I think it will be interesting to read reactions, and how you go about dealing with what has happened in a way that keeps you in your happy place.

**Hopeless Dork** · 01-26-2010 12:43 AM

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

a. I'd feel right away like I am doing something wrong, I might even throw my hands up and fall off the diet wagon, thinking... why bother.
b. I'd remind myself that nothing worth achieving is easily achieved. I'd focus on the fact that I know I am doing something good for my body , whether or not the scale pat me on the back this week.

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

a. I would probably get a tinge of jealousy, I'd also feel a little bit mislead and begin to wonder if they did that on purpose and if so, why?
b. I'd remind myself of all the ways my S.O. makes me feel loved and special, I'd remind myself that they didn't lie and that there is no rule that all of their co-workers must look like shrek lol.

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

a. I'd feel left out, wonder if I did something to upset them, wonder if they didn't think I'd fit in with the crowd of friends at their party.
b. I'd remind myself that life is busy, that I've done nothing to upset my friend and if they didn't invite me its either that they just simply forgot or didn't think I'd enjoy it and let it go.

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse

a. I'd feel a bit slighted, embarassed, and wonder why I bother helping people.. when I need it they are nowhere to be found.
b. I'd focus on the bigger issue of finding a way to make rent, I'd remind myself that there is no shame in asking for help.. I've nothing to be embarassed about. I'd not look with regret on the fact I helped them in the past, but instead be proud that I did something for someone in need, even if they won't return the favor.

*feel free to copy the format in this reply for readability of responses and just replace the answers

**Texinator** · 01-26-2010 01:11 PM

I'd reply, but HD pretty much stole my answers, so..

**Hopeless Dork** · 01-26-2010 01:19 PM

haha oh i was so bored last night i was typing just to hear myself type... it doesn't make as much sense as it did at 3 am lol

**Texinator** · 01-26-2010 01:24 PM

Made perfect sense to me, but it's only 3 pm here, not yet 3 am, so what's my excuse?

**sperosi** · 01-26-2010 03:25 PM

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

oh well, no ice cream for me today!

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

I'd be a little jealous. although if i were paying attention I would have already known what gender Sam was.

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

i'd be a little hurt, but go crawl into bed with some ice cream and watch a favorite show or movie instead.

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse.

I would let them know the situation I am in and ask again. if they still refuse I would see what I have that I could sell to someone or pawn to be able to pay my rent on time.

**caterpillar79** · 01-26-2010 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Tex

Made perfect sense to me, but it's only 3 pm here, not yet 3 am, so what's my excuse?

You're just darhn lazy, bro! LOL.

**caterpillar79** · 01-26-2010 04:47 PM

Okay, HD, time to be serious.

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

Oh, that's muscle. I must be burning my fats while working out. Will workout more and drink more water.

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

Will see if we can be friends and exchange beauty secrets and maybe shop together during weekends. (Know thy enemy )

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

That is splendid! I don't have to sit in a corner while blasting music keeps me company. I'd rather stay online and do some modding on WH or watch movies.

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse.

I will sing: I see your true colors shining through.....
Forget that they did that to me, will suck it up and tell the landlord I have no money to pay the rent but will do every means I can to come up with some amount to pay on installment until I get my pay or such.

**Airmans Sweetie** · 01-26-2010 06:21 PM

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

a. think wat am i doing wrong!
b. lie to myself & tell myself muscle weighs more......so obviously it is muscle lol

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

a. at first i would b jealous & i would hug & kiss up on my SO (not in a skanky way, but make it apparent that he is my husband)
b. first i would watch how she acted towards my SO, if she is flirting.....i'm gonna pull the hair right outta her head! (yes i know not a positive ending but i'll b darned if i'm gonna let her do that) otherwise, i would try to talk to her, make friends with her, & try to get to know her. keep ur friends close but ur enemies closer

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

a. i would be hurt but probably only hint at it, & unless they wanna bring it up, i'll keep my silence otherwise
b. just not say ne thing

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse.

a. i would b livid, i could understand if it was a case of they can't but not if it is a case of they won't
b. remind them of all that i did for them & if they r able to help but won't then don't come crying to me wen they need me again, sooner or later i would probably help them again but i would still b angry about it. if they do it a 2nd time....no more

**newhere808** · 01-26-2010 11:07 PM

1. You've been dieting all week, hop on the scale and see that you have gained 2 pounds.

a. I've just been wasting my time.
b. Remind myself that body wieght fluctuates for several different reasons, typically in a range of 2-5 lbs

2. Upon delivering lunch to your significant other at work, you are introduced to "Sam"... who your S.O always talks about fondly, you realize "Sam" is not the sex you thought "Sam" was, and is quite the attractive specimen.

a. Over analyze as to why she would keep such a thing from me, convicing myself of a myriad of self-depreciating reasons
b. Collect my thoughts, and tell myself that my over-analytical reaction is more than likely a chief reason that she didn't make a point to tell me, and make a note to be civil now, and discuss it with her later.

3. You hear about a party one of your close friends is having from a 3rd party, you sit tight waiting for an invitation. Its now the day of the party and you've yet to hear from them.

a. Assume i've either done something to irritate the host or someone who he had already invited.
b. Write it off as a meaning very little, and finish a book i've been reading, watch a movie, or do something else with my time.

4. You are living paycheck to paycheck and had some unexpected expenses arise. Rent is due and you don't know how you are going to make it. You call a successful family member that has always been met with help when they turned to you for assistance in rougher times. You swallow your pride and ask them for hand. They refuse.

a. Go through a mixture of panic and anger, begin mentally condemning said family member.
b. Remind myself that that family member is where they are by the grace of others, including myself, and resign myself to the fact that i've earned my keep and may have to do so yet again, before asking if they could please reconsider the situation.