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“I’m tired and grumpy”
It’s a common phrase I say, and a common phrase I hear from my kids (I wonder where they got it)
Lately, I’ve been feeling extra grateful for my children, my husband, my home, my life. Must be all that meditation and consciously working on being in the present paying off.
Today, I took my kids to the waterpark, and it’s a long ways away from our house, and I’ve created a routine that when we go to the waterpark we also go to my favorite grocery store, which is also a long way away from our house, but it’s on the way home.
So we waterparked, had a great time, but always tend to leave with some huff and puff as we never leave when I want to, it’s hard to round everyone up, plus all the wet stuff etc. It’s a whole messy orchestra.
But I was not going to skip going to the grocery store, and the children know it. Plus, we needed to go to another store to buy a birthday present for the neighbor.
So we go. And they know the drill.
But just because they know the drill doesn’t mean it’s easy to shop with 4 kids let alone 4 kids who just left a waterpark on a very hot day.
As we’re slowly walking through, my oldest daughter says dramatically “I’m tired, and ornery! Aren’t you too mom, let’s hurry home!”
I felt my brain wanting to automatically agree with her, but then I realized, I’m tired, but I’m not ornery. I’m not feeling grumpy at all, just tired and it’s totally not required for the two to go together, even after a hot messy day. Even when no one is listening to me. Even when I have 4 kids whining and asking for things they know I’m going to say no to. The grumpy just doesn’t have to be there. The tired still is, but I noticed that gratitude and presence was just a hair stronger than the tired, which was really probably the power that pushed away any grumpiness.
This was an empowering moment for me. Realizing that tired and grumpy does not have to be married to each other. They don’t have to go hand in hand. I can be tired. Tired physically, tired emotionally, tired psychologically, but still grateful. Which feels a lot better.
We made it through the shopping trip without any swears, without any tears. My kids efficiently helped bag and load up all the groceries into the cart and then into the car. I didn’t even have to ask them twice.
Next time you’re feeling tired and grumpy, just try reminding yourself, the grumpy is not required. You can just be tired. Try replacing the grumpy for grateful.
Its so much more peaceful and will produce a more desirable result.
My friends, be watchful and stay curious.
