Make It Through The Day

I got to catch up and chat with my punny, dorky sistah last night. Even though we can go for months without talking, we always pick-up right where we left off. She's one of the few that understand my loopy, quirky ways.

Talking to her reminded me of an email she sent to a bunch of us way back in highschool. With all the craziness of being a teenager, she sent us a list of tips to get through the day. It has been 13 years since her orignial e-mail, but we still send it back and forth to each other every couple of years to remind ourselves of the little things we can do to stay sane.

I've been thinking about this list lately and decided to pull it up for old times sake. Much of it is good advice for fellow lupies as well as everyone in general.

So without further ado, my friend -- in her infinite wisdom as a highschool teenager -- shares with us her tips to get through the day:

1) Theme song (who watches Ally McBeal?) -- Find a song that's upbeat and happy. Sing it to yourself when you feel stressed. It'll help raise your spirits!!

2) Smile -- If you smile at someone, you'll feel better. If someone smiles at you, you'll feel good too.

3) Think ahead to the next great thing -- Have something to look forward to. It can be small like a fun class or 3:00 pm or climbing into bed at night...anything that will motivate you to finish the day.

4) Give yourself a cool name which will distinguish you from all the rest (i.e. Lauren the Siren, Michelle the Goddess, or Liz the Princess)

5) Talk to yourself -- Give yourself pep-talks. Start with "I am (Liz the Princess). I will (understand trigonometry). I will (get help)"

6) Sing -- Any song, not just your theme song, will work. Sing loudly, sing boldly. Be Alanis Morisette when you're pissed, be Jewel when you're sad, and be Puff-daddy if you're a thug.

7) Remember your friends -- lean on them, talk to them, cry on their shoulders -- do whatever is necessary in order that you feel better about yourself.

8) Get a hug or give a hug... it can even be mutual. Hugs may seem too touchy for some of us but they actually do make you feel better. Just keep in mind who it is you're hugging...

9) Get a good laugh. We all know who's funny so go talk to that person!

10) Give a friend a compliment. This makes them feel better and it makes you feel better too cuz you now know that you have made them feel better. Get it?

11) If you get too frustrated, take a pen and a paper and write it all down. As an example, it was incredibly funny when I got back a homework from my math teacher and on the back I had written "This is sooooooo boring" and "I hate pre-calc" Oops!

12) When all else fails, scream. And I mean at the top of your lungs, as loud as you can for as long as you can. Just one continuous scream can put the whole world into focus. If you want to be discreet as I sometimes do, take a pillow and cover your face before you let your rage loose.

- a little lupie -