Isn’t it interesting how sad, upset and frustrated we can get when we are bothered by something?
It might be something someone said or did, uncomfortable clothes, the weather or something on the news or social media.
Usually that “something” we are bothered by is completely out of our control and often we’ve been bothered by it before and still we let it take over. Even when it is something we can change, we often spend longer than we need in that “being bothered/annoyed/hurt/mad” phase.
If you want to get all that time and energy back that you spend being bothered or, you just want more joy and lightness in your life (and less overwhelm), these 7 simple ways to be less bothered more delighted will help.
7 Simple Ways to Be Less Bothered and More Delighted
1. Start your week with delight.
Tune into the Soul & Wit Podcast (that I created with my daughter) every Monday morning for a brighter start to the week. For an extra boost, join our Patreon membership for fun bonus gifts (some that arrive in the actual mail). You’ll get the delight of supporting something good and being rewarded in return.
2. Let go of something.
Creating spaciousness will boost your mood. What weighs you down? What annoys you? What consumes you? How would it feel to let it go? Let go of something. Lots of somethings.
3. Plan your meals for a week.
I’m not usually a meal planner but thinking about what to shop for, cook and even eat has felt a little overwhelming lately. So this week, I planned a week of meals. Then I bought all the food, prepped the produce and don’t have to think about it anymore. Keep the meals simple and repeat a few meals. P.S. Not sure if this is something that will stick, but even just a week of relief has been delightful.
4. Admire animals.
Love up your cats and dogs and other pets. Tell them how amazing they are. If you don’t have pets, watch a few adorable goat or cow videos. Anything that will make you think, “awwwww” or “sooooo sweet” will do. Like these two.
5. Turn off the news.
It’s too much. If you want to stay informed, read a few bullet points once a day or once a week. You don’t have to “watch” the news or follow anyone on social media who is outraged on a minute by minute basis, inundating you with disturbing images, videos and thoughts. When you feel bothered by the news (no matter how it’s shared), remember that you are allowed to curate the information you consume. If you want to break up with breaking news, try this.
6. Look at how far you’ve come.
Take a look back at your calendar or journals from the last year. Notice what’s changed. See your progress (small progress is still progress). Celebrate the tiny steps, hard conversations, bold moves and other things that didn’t get enough recognition. Tell someone else about something you are proud of. Share it on social media or reach out and tell me about it. I’d love to celebrate you.
7. Don’t believe everything you think.
Two quotes stood out to me this week. The first is from Byron Katie, “Notice. Just now, in this moment, other than what you’re thinking and believing, are you okay?” and the next from Ram Dass, “We’re sitting under the tree of our thinking minds wondering why we aren’t getting any sunshine.” Use these quotes as invitations to come back from worries about the future and regret about the past and be present.
P.S. Check out the delightful Soul & Wit Podcast membership offerings right here.
