Put on your big girl panties

Despite our best efforts, things don’t always go our way. Life brings disappointments, some big, some small. Things we can’t change, no matter how hard we try.

And when we experience one of life’s disappointments, it stings. Sometimes a lot. Perhaps even venturing into the realm of pain and agony. Which sucks.

What to do?

Well, first throw yourself a giant pity party for a day or two. Allow yourself to feel the sting of the hurt feelings. Don’t hold back. So many of us have been taught to tough it out, it’s not that big of a deal. I think that’s the wrong approach. Only you know what hurts and what doesn’t, and if it hurts you, it hurts, even if it’s something that wouldn’t bother someone else at all. And if we hold it in, it’ll just creep out anyway.

So go through the feelings for a bit. But don’t allow the hurt to be larger than it needs to be. Don’t get swept into a downward spiral over something that is just one of life’s bumps in the road.

After you’ve wallowed for a couple of days, put your big girl panties on and get back into the good life. Recognize that you are in charge of your own destiny and that whatever this hurt was, while you may not be able to change it, you can rise again and create a new opportunity. One that may not be as sweet or the same as the opportunity lost, but one that is new and different, and who knows, may even turn out better.

Bottom line is that after you’ve experienced some sort of hurt, you’ve got to get back on the horse and ride. Because life is too damned short to spend it miserable over missed opportunities, when you have the power to create new and different possibilities in your life.

Allow yourself to feel. Feel whatever comes your way. Then wash your hands of it and put your big girl panties on.

Trust me, you’ll feel good strutting around in them – strong and confident and ready to take on the world!

So put your big girl panties on. You’ll be happy you did.