Sometimes we’re just in a bad mood. Irritated, impatient, grouchy. Do you ever find yourself in one of these funks?
As a midlife woman I know mood swings come with the hormonal fluctuations of menopause, even at 62. But this last week has been something else for me. It was a week where nothing went my way. A string of seemingly never-ending, back-to-back setbacks and disappointments every single day. These are things that “must” get done on a (my) timetable so I can move to Portugal. Leases finalized; remote accounts opened; money transferred while exchange rates are favorable. I’m turning into a vexpat. I knew I would xanifest this. Why are people not getting with the (my) program? Why are they messing up the (my) plan?
Why are people not doing what I want them to do when I want them to do it?
That’s really all my mood is about. My irritation is over “problems” I’m lucky to have — starting a life overlooking the ocean in a new country. Poor me. Stop yer whinin’, girl.
But by not doing what I want them to do now, these people are causing my plan to fail. They are making me fail. I am a failure.
You are not a failure. You’re doing everything you can on your end. You have a solid plan. You cannot control the actions and timing of other people. You are driven and impatient. You are not a failure.
This is not the Friday post I wrote and scheduled for today. Not even close. But when I wrote in my journal this morning this is what came out. See how the voice asshole in my head turned a series of not-uncommon setbacks and delays into personal failure? No wonder I’ve been in a bad mood.
This is how I checked myself and started a mood rewind, by reminding myself of what’s truly important to me.
Gratitude List ~ Today’s Top 3
- I am grateful for this beautiful life I have created by making choices that are perfect for me.
- I am grateful for all experiences, lessons, and opportunities I’m given today — the good and the bad — for they all help me grow.
- I am grateful for the people in my life who care about me.
Intention List ~ Today’s Top 3
- I will give more than take.
- I will be patient more than impatient.
- I will accept others (and myself) more than judge.
Today’s Quotation to Work On
“If you can’t ask for help without self-judgment, you cannot offer help without judging others.”
– Brené Brown
I need to work on trusting people to help me, instead of trying to control what they do and when they do it. This will not be easy for me.
Thank you for reading through this impromptu post fresh from this morning’s journal. When you find yourself in “a mood” how do you recover?
Featured image by Pixabay. Other images are my own.
The Hot Goddess
Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired
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The Hot Goddess 
It’s good to acknowledge our moods. Maybe a pause is in order? Keep on smiling and doing the best you can Natalie.
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Thank you, Brad! I think you’re right. I decided to wait until June 1 to see how things sort out. Enjoy your weekend 💜
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Nice. Now you can play! 😋
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I have pre midlife moods when nothing goes my way and I just want to curl up in my bed 🛏 😴
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I know…me too!
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This is why I love your blog. You are real and tell it like it is! 😉 I love the way you turn it around. (Giving up control can be a struggle for me too, but sometimes I find that maybe I don’t always know best 😉 )
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Oh, this means so much to me, Beth. Thank you! 💜 I definitely have control issues. (Just ask my exes 🙄😜.)
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Perfect. Go, Natalie! I will give more than I will take, so important.
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Thank you, Jane! It is a good rule to live by 💜
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When I start getting things coming up as roadblocks, I keep reminding myself that the universe always works things out. Lately I’ve learned to pray “may I have this, or better?”
The “or better” part helps my mental health, because when a roadblock comes up I can let go of my anxieties in the moment that things aren’t going the way I wanted them to. They’re working out how they’re supposed to!
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I love this, Tamara! Thank you 💜 I need to remind myself of this daily.
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Always a good thing to keep in mind!! ☺️😜
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The control freak in my can totally relate to this.
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OMG yes! I need a double vaccine and triple booster for controlling my controlitis.
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Exercise is the best thing I’ve found for getting myself out of a mood I’d rather not be in. Drinking wine and singing at the top of my lungs while I savagely clean up my place helps too, but perhaps is not as “healthy” as surrounding yourself in nature on a brisk hike/walk…and then there’s the neighbours to think about 🤣
Deb
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I love all your approaches, Deb! Walking outside is huge for me too.
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Such a real and raw, refreshing post! I love the flashback photo 😍 Also I’m not sure if you believe in Mercury Retrograde but we’re in it now and it tends to cause LOTS of life snafus. I totally get it. I’d be just like you! Why aren’t you doing what I want right now? It’s very easy, just do what I want, right now, and we’ll all be fine 🤣 Hopefully this weekend is better for you!!! Hang in there 💖
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Thank you so much, Libby! ❤️ I get much inspiration and validation from you and your goddess wisdom💫
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For 52 years I still really don’t know exactly how I break the mood. It varies ya know, a good cry, a cuddle, my wife asking me what are three good things that happened today, thinking positive thoughts, creating artwork or focusing on something like a painting to redirect my head.
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These are all good, Matt. I do know it varies. Sometimes something will work…other times, not so much. 💜
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Hope your mood and or roadblocks clear for you Natalie 🤗💙
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Thank you, Matt! 💜
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Chocolate.
Or wine. ❤
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Oh yeah! 🍫🍷
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“I need to trust people to help me” are we the same person? LOL
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Ha! I don’t know why it’s so hard to do that. Thank you for sharing — I appreciate it!💜
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💜 IPT (Immaculate Precision Timing) that some call Divine Timing; please 🙏🏿 Pay Attention; thank you
…💛💚💙…
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Ugh, sometimes you just need to be in a bad mood and many times you need to be in control without feeling guilty about it. But yeah, knowing when to step back, let go of the reins a bit, and be helped is a gift.
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Yes and yes! Thank you for the reminder. You make a good point about not feeling guilty for needing to control things. Self-acceptance is so important. 💜
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Oh how I can relate! When “things” don’t go the way I want …. boy can I have an internal tantrum! Sometimes I even have to put myself in a “time out”! Lol I love how you flipped the switch with gratitude and intentionally recognizing the good among the difficult. Praying for you to have a peaceful weekend. Best Wishes always! Leigh😘
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Thank you. Leigh!💜 I’m totally going to borrow “internal tantrum.” Perfect! Happy weekend 😁
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Oh boy do I hear you! What a great post – I love how you turn it around with gratitude and intentions! I’ve learned to just walk away and give the problems some time to think about their attitudes before I return. 🙂 You know like Buddha said, “Most problems, if you give them enough time and space, will eventually wear themselves out.”
But I like your approach – write about it and then focus on gratitude and attention! Here’s to everything falling into place!
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That was supposed to be “intention” in the last paragraph… or it that a telling slip? 🙂
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I love it! They both work for me 💜
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Thank you so much, Wynne 💜 You’re right…I believe a timeout is in order. I’ll just relax (🤣🤣🤣 OK, try to relax) and let it play out. I love “…give the problems some time to think about their attitudes…” Perfect!
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I totally agree sometimes we’re just in a bad mood…but I think it’s more than midlife mood. The stress of the world we live in doesn’t help much. I hope all eventually comes together with your moving plans. Enjoy your Sunday!
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The stress of the world does not help. We are all in a somewhat altered state. I’m working on letting go and letting be. Like you, I find my better state of mind outside in nature. Thank you, Khaya, for your support ❤️
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[…] with over the last month or so, as the clock ticks down on my fall move to Portugal. I wrote here about my bad mood when plans were not going my way last […]
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[…] on our journey when unexpected challenges cause excitement and confidence to waver. I wrote here about tackling midlife moods with gratitude. It’s also important to remember to celebrate tiny […]
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