5 Easy Steps To Turn That Frown Upside Down

When bad things happen to good people, we have two choices – to be happy or to be sad. I like to be happy.

Now don’t get me wrong – I said I “like” to be happy. I am not ALWAYS happy – I sure do get sad quite often. But I try my very hardest to be as happy as possible – especially in front of others.

As the mom of the house, I know that my mood completely affects how our house is run. If I am a grump – the house is normally a mess, things get a little crazy or chaotic and nobody is truly having a very good day. BUT if I am in a good mood and try to somewhat be productive – things tend to get done, we seem to be a bit more organized and life is a lot less stressful.

So, what if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? What if the kids are bouncing off the walls and are giving you a headache? What if your husband is driving you absolutely crazy? What if your hormones are out of whack and you just can’t seem to find a balance in life? How do we {the wives, the moms, the women of our households} get out of these funks?!

We love singing a song every night before bed and most recently I have been teaching our one year old: “If you chance to meet a frown. Do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away! No one likes a frowny face, change it to a smile! Make this world a better place, by smiling all the while.”

Photo by Brittany Busk Photography

Here are 5 Easy Steps To Turn That Frown Upside Down:

1. STOP, LOOK and LISTEN: Take a minute and breathe slowly. Look around and think about why you are in a bad mood. Often times after we remove ourselves from the situation for a few minutes and have time to calm down – we realize the situation isn’t as bad as we thought it was.

NOW – bad things will happen. And life WILL get hard. And I am a big believer in crying it out and letting those feelings and emotions release. It is okay to be sad and don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t. BUT – after you give yourself a few minutes, carry on.

When I was going through probably the hardest trial I have had to face in my life so far {infertility and failed treatment after failed treatment} I was finding myself falling into a dark hole. I was sad almost all the time and had a really hard time climbing out of it. That was when I heard of the BEST idea that helped me so much through the hardest years of my life. Every day, I allowed myself a 5 minute pity party. I was allowed to be sad and I was allowed to feel bad for myself. But once those five minutes were up, I had to get up and go. I had to get ready, which also meant putting a smile on my face, and continue on with my day. This helped a LOT. I became a new person. Rather than being sad ALL the time – I was only sad for a few minutes and that is all I needed.

So stop, look and listen. Look around at the GOOD in your life. Listen to your heart and to your gut. Deep inside you want to be happy – find it and hold on to it.

2. BE WITH THOSE YOU LOVE: Surround yourself with people that love and uplift you. Don’t be with people who bring you down and make you feel bad. You deserve to feel GOOD! Find family members or friends that show that love and support that you need.

Often times when we surround ourselves with fun people, they make us laugh! Laughter is the BEST medicine for a frown. Go on a date. Go play at the park. Go out to dinner. Do something you love with those you love.

3. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. YOU ARE IMPORTANT: You can read all about the importance of taking care of yourself here. Do it. Take a shower every day. Eat good food that will give your body nutrition. Go for a walk, run or work out at the gym. Get plenty of sleep. Eat something sweet {that always helps me!}. When we take care of ourselves, we feel more energized and better rested, so we are more aware of our emotions and are better at controlling our tempers or angry feelings.

I know when I am tired, I take everything offensively. I feel like the world is out to get me or something. Take care of YOU. YOU are important.

4. GO OUTSIDE AND DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE: Thomas S. Monson said, “To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves.” By going outside not only do you get some Vitamin D that can help you feel better – but by being less selfish and more selfless, your mind will be drawn to other things. By serving others, you suddenly can be more focused on them and their needs, rather than your own. And often times you realize how blessed you are.

5. CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY: Did you know that happiness is a choice? Every morning we make TONS of choices. What time we are going to wake up…What we are going to wear…what we are going to eat for breakfast… how we are going to do our hair… these are all little choices we make in just the first 30 minutes of waking up! We also have the choice if we are going to wear a smile on our face at that time and throughout the entire day.

Each of us will have bad days. I hate that! I wish every day was perfect and flawless. Bumps are ahead and bad days are to come – but it is how we get out of those bumps and bad days that really matter. You can change, it is never too late. Put on that smile and live life to the fullest. You’re never fully dressed without a smile!

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

July 25, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 4 Comments