Despite my recent post all about how emotions can have a detrimental effect on our finances, and what to do about it, I sill gave in to my emotions yesterday.
Everything about yesterday went bad from the very beginning. I overslept my alarm and was rushed to get to work on time. I ended up being about 10 minutes late, and from there the day only got worse. I had several stressful phone calls and situations to deal with for everything from my part-time job to an organization I volunteer for, and more. In fact, I ended up having to use some of my paid vacation time from my full-time job to deal with these situations. Talk about wasting my precious vacation time!
By the end of my full-time job’s workday at 5 p.m., I was ready to burst from all the emotions of the day. I was craving comfort food, and for me that means a massive chocolate and sugar-filled snack. So on the way to my evening haircut appointment, I tried two of my local bakeries, which were both closed (it should have been a sign!), before finally I gave in to my emotional temptation and splurged on a chocolate doughnut and soda at the convenience store next to the salon.
The entire time I was eating, ok I was scarfing, my snack, I knew I had made not only a financial mistake, but also a health mistake too. This deliciously unhealthy snack did make me feel better for a minute or two, but then it made me feel worse because it doesn’t correlate with my financial goals or my health related goals.
Of course this small splurge isn’t a budget busting purchase, it was only about $2, and it probably won’t be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for my health either, but it still wasn’t a smart decision.
After some thought, I decided that I need to be more aware of how I treat emotional decisions like this in the future so I don’t nickel and dime, or soda and doughnut, my way into a financial rut or a health rut. My goals are more important to me than my $2 snack that will only satisfy my craving for a few minutes before my brain is back to thinking about the crap-shoot of a day I just had.
Crappy days happen to everyone at some point, and it’s probably okay to splurge on a temptation like this once in a while when your emotions kick in. But if this is something I turn to each time I have a rough day, then I need to find a more constructive way to work off the emotions of my crappy day.
While brainstorming, I came up with these ideas for the future:
Go Workout! Working out releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. (Bonus points if you just got the reference!)- Spend Time Outside. If the weather is nice, spend a little time outside enjoying it to get some fresh air and take your mind off the events of your day.
- Play With Pets. I have plenty of furry companions around me, I should use them for what they do best, comforting their owner.
How do you deal with a crappy day? Do you let your emotions get the best of you?
Photo courtesy of: Live Life Happy
I do all of the same things as above, especially the outdoors. I love that it’s finally getting nice again out, after a long day at work I can just start walking outside. Journaling or meditating is a great release too that I do often. Much of the time I still enjoy a good binge-eating therapy though, I’m not perfect!
For the last several months, I’ve been making an effort to get up a lot earlier than I have to. I have to be at work by 9, but usually get up around 7 these days. If I’m more sleepy (like today), I’ve slept in by sleeping till 7:45, but I still have plenty of time for a non-rushed morning. A non-rushed morning seems to make any busy day feel a little more tolerable.
I agree, having a little extra time in the mornings helps my whole day go smoother, but I still detest getting up in the mornings. I’m so not a morning person!
I’ve recently gotten into yoga and it’s helped tremendously. This winter definitely made me a bit lazy and I haven’t exercised nearly as much as I do during the warmer months. I love exercising outside instead of being cooped up in the house or gym but I still make it work.
That’s great Alexis! I definitely think exercising helps me keep my emotions in check too.
Those days are tough, when they start off on the wrong foot it’s like the universe piggy backs on one misstep and the whole day is blown. Sometimes you can’t help it but get emotional, I mean we’re only human. Hopefully tomorrow is better.
Thanks Tahnya! That’s exactly what happened. Luckily, things did get better the next day. 🙂
When I felt that I was so stressed, I usually went outside and have a quick walk with my dog. In this way, it can help me to release some stress and freshen up my mind.
That’s a great idea Kate!
Fantastic guide and it’s very reliable sources article. It’s very helpful and useful. Glad to read this. Thanks for sharing this article. Great post!
Thanks! I’m glad you like the article.