What do you do when you’re upset

What do you do when you’re upset?

I tend to take a drive – well, I did – before gas was $3.83 a gallon. I may have to rethink that one. Sometimes I go out and take a long walk, particularly if there’s sunshine but it’s not too hot or two cold. Sometimes I take a long bubble bath. There’s something magic about washing away the residue of whatever has upset me.

These would probably fall into the category of “self-soothing techniques.” Isn’t that a fancy way of explaining what you do when you’re upset? Why must everything have a sophisticated name that doesn’t really say anything? I’ve become convinced every field has its jargon that serves no purpose other than to exclude others, and make divisions within a profession. Who’s “in the know” and who’s not.

One of the best ways to deal with anything that upsets me is to take action to address whatever it is. Unfortunately, in some cases, that’s just possible for one reason or another. And sometimes I can’t even figure out what to do, much less do it.

I’m in that position tonight. So, I’m just pushing through what’s on my plate since I can’t figure out anything brilliant to do to address the root problems. Maybe I’ll dream the answer. Or maybe tomorrow life will present a solution I could never have foreseen tonight as I sit here typing. That would be lovely. I’m ready for a happy solution.
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