Stop misbehaving, my internal voice scolded. I tried. I really did. I put my ear buds in and turned on my favorite Pandora playlist, Hipster BBQ, hoping the music would drown out my crankiness or my icy composer. And my cube mates constant chatter. I focused on the spreadsheet in front of me, mentally counting down the minutes when I could quietly slip out of the office to meet a new friend who had caught my attention.
Thank goodness for Friday.
Arriving home, my stomach still in knots, I pondered how to shift my perspective. And how to be nicer or at least professionally neutral when I absolutely felt neither. Even after a glass of wine with a sexy man I couldn’t shake the gut nagging knots the last 3 days at the office left me with.
What do you do?
This was not a good way to end the first work week of the new year. And it’s not a feeling I want to carry into the new year. I felt like Charlotte from Sex In The City having a melt down in the pantry. Mamma needed a time out!
Run, Baby, Run
Tossing my hair up in a clip and putting on comfy clothes, I refused having another glass of wine at home instead focusing on my snotty child archetype running the show. Ok. So that wasn’t nice either. Let’s give some love to the little girl inside having a temper tantrum.
Am I The Only One?
Even after fifty I still struggle with the orphan child running the show when I’m feeling disrespected. Especially when I bust my ass to deliver successfully only to be told “I got away with it.”
Yep, that little girl needing, wanting, recognition just got slapped down in the worse way. Because her boss’s boss publicly recognized her for a job well done, but it wasn’t good enough because her team lead did not value the contribution. Ouch.
3 Archetypes To Consider
Archetypes are ancient, universal patterns of behavior that are embedded in what Carl Jung called the “collective unconscious.” Caroline Myss
Queen – According to Caroline Myss “The Queen archetype is also associated with arrogance and a defensive posture that is symbolic of a need to protect one’s personal and emotional power.“ mmmm ok, check. I don’t have to like it but I recognize it.
Orphan Child – “The Orphan Child is the major character in most well known children’s stories, including Little Orphan Annie, the Matchstick Girl, Bambi, the Little Mermaid, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Cinderella, and many more. The pattern in these stories is reflected in the lives of people who feel from birth as if they are not a part of their family, including the family psyche or tribal spirit.” Yep, let’s check this one too.
Rebel – “The Rebel in a support group can be a powerful aid in helping the group break out of old tribal patterns. It can also help you see past tired preconceptions in your field of professional or creative endeavor.” Awe, the rebel and I are very good friends. And I need to leverage the rebel’s traits to pull myself out of the child’s tantrums.
Monday will roll around soon enough but before it does I need to check myself. One thing I know for sure is that the only thing we can control is ourselves. Remembering my word of the year, brave, I know that this small blip will not define the year ahead.
Sending you love and happiness. ❤️
Must’ve been in the air this week! I felt awesome after sharing feedback to someone at work that involved standing up for myself instead of being a doormat. I did ask permission first, but it felt good to be authentic and brave. Good luck, I hope this week is better for you!
Oh my goodness, maybe it is in the air! I’m so happy that you stepped up to the plate. For me I’ve given myself a stern talking to and off to have my hair done… hoping the self care will give my attitude an adjustment to face Monday! Cheers!