Do you guys(gals) ever feel… slumpy? I don’t mean posture, because I bet doctors today could give us all a run for our money about how to properly sit in an office chair for eight hours, but this isn’t WebMD, (this is Yodgi if you didn’t know, and that up there? Well, that’s Yoshi).

I took this photo last week because 1) do you see that dog?! And 2) she seemed to capture what I had been feeling. And, what that was? Well, I call it “slumpy”. It is a term I coined a little while ago. Basically it’s feeling just blah for no darn good reason, and the worst part? It FEEDS off of that. That feeling of not controlling those icky feelings. If I were coaching a Girls on the Run practice I would say that I was not plugged into the Girls on the Run cord. I was plugged into the icky, dark, muddy cord of feeling down on myself and second guessing my choices…. because of what?

That’s just the thing. A person can control their emotions and actions. I really do believe that. Obviously, there are circumstances that make you feel bad, and I believe you should allow yourself those times of grief, or annoyance, or… whatever. But, those days when you are frustrated at nothing? Pissy to someone that only wanted to hug you? or a dog that just wants to play to make you feel better? Yeah, those are the times that you/I need to check your/myself.

Am I feeling okay? Do I feel sick? No? Okay… Is something stressing me out?

There is a checklist we can give ourselves, and sometimes even when I find that and check the internal box that says, “okay, this is the problem, lets get to the ol’ DIY fixing of emotions. Does it require talking about nothing with my mom or a girlfriend? Eating some ice cream? working it out with my running shoes?”

I did that. I went through the whole solutions list last week, and you know what? It didn’t help! And so, can you just imagine how annoying that is. THAT is the annoying part. It’s like my body just wanted to feel. And I? Well, I thought that I fixed it, that I could just move past it. I was yelling at myself, “I went running! Where is the high? I talked about it! So, why are you still in there, annoying feelings of anger, restlessness, unmotivated negativity!? LEAVE!”

You know what the cure was?

To stop being so self-centered.

I wonder now, after having a week to let this sit in my draft section, and reflect, if I wasn’t just too consumed with myself? Too consumed with my own emotions and feelings that I was literally getting sick of myself?

The cure though, was when I got a call to sub at a Girls on the Run session. That program has saved my point of view and reflection more times than I can count. I am literally so grateful for those girls, their energy, insight and compassion always surprise me coming out of those small running balls of laughter. They are so eager to contribute, to talk about their thoughts, learn from us. They look at me; I’m taller, have bright pink shoes, and a ponytail. They get to call me Coach, or Ms Bridget, they say how I’m a role model. But, it is me who is impressed with them!

They ask to run with me, when it is literally my privilege to run with them. They do so much to inspire their peers. I am always so shocked at how many of them are repeats, and they always recruit at least one of their friends to join.

Yeah, those girls, it was them that was my cure from myself.

I think there are a lot of healthy ways we can get out of our way, and our heads. Just look outside and you’ll be slapped in the face by the beauty and fortitude that is in front of you. You just have to acknowledge it.
Now, I’m acknowledging the fact that those girls plugged me into the bright, sparkly, flowing colored with glitter and happiness, self confidence and friendship cord. For that? Well, elementary girls, you made this 24 year-old incredibly proud to be able to workout with you.

Thank you life.

Bridgi.

Please, if you care to share on this topic or have any thoughts you would like to contribute I would love to hear from you.