How to be happy when you’re not…

And when you have small children that need to be taken care of…

And you are doing it on your own because Daddy isn’t around.

I’m continuing to explore the idea of what it means to have some happy in your life and I’m tackling the topic with friends. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who struggles with being in a funk sometimes.

 

The remedy for feeling down-in-the-dumps is not always the same. Sometimes, being by yourself can help you to feel better. If you are an introvert or if you just need some time to refuel and rest, being alone can be just the thing that makes room for joy to bubble back up in your soul. If you have little kids that may be a bit of a challenge, but on today’s podcast, we talk about how you can do that.

At other times, being a part of a community of people who love and notice when you are struggling is just the right thing. Allowing other people to call, text, or come to your door, may be helpful if you are spiraling and too deeply embedded in your no-good-very-bad-feelings.

On this podcast, I chat with Sheena Girty about how to get out of the funk — even when you are mothering small kids alone. Sheena is one of the girls who has been willing to lend me her brain and her time as I seek to encourage and empower others. Today, she lends her voice as we seek to give you practical tools for finding the happy in your life.

Sheena is a military wife and has learned how to keep her head above water even when, emotionally, she’s not in the best place. We chat about what that looks like when you are in the season of mothering children and when you are doing a lot of the parenting by yourself.

In addition, as the holidays quickly approach, Sheena and her family are preparing for another move so she has been struggling to get into the holiday spirit.

However, Sheena has gained some time-tested wisdom of what it looks like to tend to your soul even while you are walking through difficult days or even difficult seasons. We talk about what it looks like to encourage yourself in the home with her your children, simple ways to engage in things that bring you joy and how to both give — and receive — encouragement from others.

 

Highlight from Today’s Episode:

  • Taking care of yourself while you take care of your children
  • When being alone can be good
  • When being alone can be bad

Resources From Today’s Show 

 ==> Click to Tweet 

  • “Having a bad day every now and again is okay. Just don’t stay stuck in that bad day too long.” – Chrystal Hurst
  • “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” – Jim Rohn
  • “Savoring special moments as they happen is an important happiness skill.” – Valorie Burton

 ==> General Links 

Let’s Talk!

After you’ve listened to the podcast, I’d love to continue the conversation. Be sure and leave a comment!

  1. What do you do to make room for yourself even when you are pouring out to your family?
  2. Do you have community? If so, what do you do to cultivate it? If not, is there anything you can do to foster it?
  3. What can you do to reach out to others in your community who may need a “pick-me-up”?Are you struggling with a lack of happiness and joy? If so, why is that?

 

Connect with me…

How to Listen to The Podcast

If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.

1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.

2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also, if you would be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher?  Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists!

3. Share today’s show –   Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post!

You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in do the same on the podcast!