5 NOT SO BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK

It can be really easy to find all of the terrible things that exist in your life and make them your entire focus. I do it all the time, and it leaves me feeling drained and unproductive and out of ideas.

I wanted to find a way to share parts of my life with you but I also didn’t want them to be the worst parts. But also not exclusively the best parts either. I want to share the real parts that aren’t just me in pretty clothes or eating heaping bowls of pasta (although if you know me then you know that’s not too far from reality).

I think that I spend a lot of time wanting to create content that matters. Something that’s beautiful to look at but also empowering to read. Something interesting and critical and funny and clever. It can feel like a lot of pressure, but I’ve decided to start shifting my focus to the little things (and sometimes big) that make my days not so bad and even in some instance, pretty amazing.

I came up with the idea of finding 5 things, 5 different points in time throughout the week that perhaps are the best moments of my life or maybe are just simply my silver lining to a not so fabulous week. My very own positivity project. After all, this blog isn’t called “She Smiles All Day” for nothing.

1. MONDAY

I woke up Monday with a terrible sore throat, nausea and a throbbing headache. I know, not off to the most positive start! But stay with me here.

I called my boss as soon as I realized that my body was in no condition to be selling bras or dealing with cranky customers. When you’re a manager it’s really tricky calling out sick because the group of people (aka the other managers) who can cover for you is extremely limited. Just as I suspected they could only cover half of my shift. The thought of dragging  my sick body into my car and off to work that evening made my head spin even more than my headache but since I got the first half of the day off it certainly wasn’t as hopeless as working a full shift.

The best part of Monday? My first post for my first brand collaboration went up on Instagram! I’m partnering with Coach over the next few weeks to share with you one of their prettiest bags for fall. Also, their roomiest, seriously, I can fit my whole life in that bag. This made me feel hopeful and excited because it’s my first sign that I can actually do this whole pro blogger thing. Woo!

2. TUESDAY

Tuesday I was off which is a celebration in itself. What I wanted to do was hide under my covers, eating sorbet and watching Sex and the City all day. But what I needed to do was laundry. Four loads of laundry. Yikes.

I also knew if I could find the strength to drive myself across the bridge to my parent’s house there would not only be free laundry but also food and tea. What can I say? I’m easily motivated.

So I packed up my laptop (I actually try to treat this blog like a second job in hopes that it will be my real one someday, so with me every where it goes!) and my laundry and drove the 40 minutes to visit my parents.

My dad had some sort of goulash waiting for me (the man loves to experiment) but that dear readers, is not the second “not so bad” moment to make the cut. No, it was when Bank of America called to let me know my card had been compromised but thankfully they suspected suspicious activity and denied the $300 withdraw. Thank you BOA!

What was their first clue? That the withdraw was coming from a Safeway and I order Thai at least three times a week?

Never the less, a new card is on its way!

3. WEDNESDAY

Wednesday was a little rough. Back at work and not feeling well at all. Despite my congestion and voice that had dropped about 8 octaves, we still had a great day for sales. We oversold every sales goal and my whole team was really on point which helped me because most customers took one look at me and took about ten steps back. Yikes.

When you work with a team who you’re constantly trying to develop and teach it can feel really exhausting having to be the voice of reason, the problem solver and the source of encouragement all at once every day. But it’s really reassuring to know that all of that hard work pays off on days where you’re not able to be any of those things because you’re fighting a nasty virus. My team really went above and beyond to make up for me not being able to support them the way I usually try to and that makes me very, very proud.

4. THURSDAY

Thursday morning I woke up without a fever and feeling a lot less congested which gave me so much more energy. I finally was feeling more like myself and felt really inspired to stay positive and resilient throughout the day. I listened to one of my favorite books by Jen Sincer0 called “You Are a Badass” on audible and even though I’ve listened to it several times it’s still so motivating and a great way to put you in a fabulous mood for the rest of the day.

Um, also Express is having a BOGO 50% off everything sale and I fully took advantage. Get over to there site asap, it’s going through Monday!

5. FRIDAY

I’m sitting here with a big cup of coffee, my room clean and organized (am I the only one who feels unmotivated around a messy room?) and the sun is streaming through my window. I’m about make lunch and then film my September favorites so I can have it up by this Sunday. I’m feeling refreshed and happy and back in control. Sometimes it can feel like I’m searching and searching for ways to stay inspired and motivated but at the end of the day I always come back to the same realization: the only thing that can keep me feeling good is me.

I’m off to work at 1:30 and then looking forward to a weekend of busy work days (#retaillife) and a fun night out with my boo. Sometimes you have to just celebrate the little things.

What are some great things that happened to you this week? Tell me in the comments!

Xoxo,

She