Rock On, Rock Out During Holiday Stress!

At different points of my life, I have slipped into "Disconnect-ville."  That's the place where you slip away inside yourself after having several bad days in a row or when something awful (or stressful) happens in your life.  You distance yourself from your loved ones, even at a time when you should be reaching out to them and asking for help (or a break). 

Disconnect-ville can often resurface during the holidays for many people.  While your kids are singing songs about Who-ville and the Grinch, you want to start doing shots of peppermint schnnaps in the corner of your living room. 

I'm seeing a lot of my friends (both in the real world and the virtual world) become frazzled lately.  The holidays are a tough time for people.  So much to do, not enough time to do it in.  You're supposed to enjoy these tender moments, not want to hurry through them or toss that Thomas the Train set at your in-law's head. 

What can you do to find a quiet moment to compose yourself?  Or a moment to scream, grunt like a pig, and throw your body on the floor?  Or do all three things at one time, frankly?

Everyone has a different method of coping.  But what seems to pull me through during a slump is my determination to thrive, my choice to be happy and my ability to rock out to music. That's it.

No happy pills or prescriptions for me (Now, if you take something, there is no judgment from me. I understand others may need it. But drugs aren't for me. I don't even like taking Ibuprofin for a headache.) I don't binge eat or shop until my wallet starts crying. I don't watch a bunch of tear-jerker chick movies.

No, I just kick my own self in the pants when the time comes. I reach a point when I think, "Gosh, you're being pathetic. You are better than this.  Snap out of it!" I am my own personal trainer. But instead of being Jillian Michaels pushing myself to do squats, I act as my own coach and pretend I'm Rudy Ruettiger prepping for my moments on the football field.

I've done this numerous times so I can be honest and candid about it.  Plus, after living away from my family and friends for four years now, I've had to step it up a notch and be my own Tony Robbins.  Self-motivation doesn't always come easy but it can be achieved. 

I say to myself, "You have a choice to be happy. So choose it."  Then I do something that will make me feel whole and happy again. Most of the time it works on the first try.  Or sometimes it will take several attempts. 


And then, best of all, I rock out to some of my favorite tunes. I get lost in the lyrics of certain songs that take me back to that place where I feel good again.


I love that about music. I have my certain go-to songs that make me feel empowered.  Your song choices will be different from mine.  But if you think hard enough, you'll know exactly what song will motivate you and jumpstart your life again. 

Maybe you love the artist.  Maybe you just love the beat of the song.  Or the message of the lyrics.  Whatever the case may be, just turn it on.  Turn it up.  And rock out to that tune that gets you going.  Encourage those around you to do the same.  And don't make fun of others or judge them for their musical choices. 

My tastes change each day.  Yesterday I was jamming to Neil Diamond and classic songs from U2.  But one of my go-to songs is "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.  I know, that's a little crazy since he is a douche-bag, mostly-racist white rapper from Michigan.  But I love the message in that song's lyrics --


I love how the beginning of his song builds you up --

Look... If you had... one shot... or one opportunity...
To seize everything you ever wanted... one moment...
Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?


Then I love how the chorus is so powerful --

You better - lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go (go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime


Admit it, you're tapping your toes a little right now.  See?  He may not be an upstanding human being but the boy can rock and talk the talk. 


On other days, I love to shimmy around to Abba's "Dancing Queen" or to Tom Jones' "She's A Lady." 
 
Or it could be Madonna, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, Lionel Ritchie, Pearl Jam, Shania Twain, Boys II Men, Josh Groban, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Billy Joel, The Bloodhound Gang, Smashmouth, The Blues Brothers, or any other artist known to man.   You name it, I'll listen and groove to it.  I like to mix it up. 

Music and dancing to it helps me relieve that tension in my life or in my body.  It really does work for me. 

It even motivates me to do things I hate to do, like clean!  I hate to clean.  And anyone who tells me that they gain a sense of satisfaction from scrubbing toilets and bathroom sinks, well....you're just CRAZY to me! 

But alas, some cleaning had to be done over the weekend.  So to get myself in gear, I put on my Zune and rocked out.  In fact, here I am rockin' out (just in case you don't believe I really am a dancing dork!)











Yes, that is me.  In my full glory.  No makeup, un-brushed hair, in t-shirt and jeans.  I'm not sucking in my gut or hiding my wide hips.  I'm doing my air guitar moves, about to scour away my garden tub.  And I'm rockin' on and rockin' out to some of my favorite tunes.  

This is what I do to cheer myself up and get myself in life's fast lane again.  

And if you're thinking.... Gosh those photos are dark and it's hard to see you.  Well, good!  I did my job then.  After all, I don't want them to somehow end up being used again on the world wide web.  I have no interest in being the celebrity spokesperson of stay at home, frumpy moms. 

I share these slightly embarassing photos and my self-help tips with you because:

(a) I hope they may help.
 
(b) I want you to be happy.  Even if I don't know you or have never met you, I want you to be happy.

(c) Happiness is contagious and when it spreads, good things can happen for all of us.   And who doesn't want world peace and gum drops for everyone? 

So please, take a moment to rock on and rock out during this hustle and bustle called the holidays. 

Or if you're against jamming and grooving, then do something to make you feel great again.  I don't care what (so long as it's legal).  Just do it. 

Or just ask me to pass you the peppermint schnnaps and I'll dance for you.