The other day, it seemed like a dark cloud was following me everywhere I went.

I woke up from a not-so-restful sleep to the sound of bulldozers shaking the entire house. An old neck injury flared up. We were surrounded by smoke from nearby forest fires, which was making me cough and feel altogether crappy.

I took the day off from work, and I wandered around the house not sure what to do with myself – I just wasn’t in the mood for anything, and I felt like my life was just passing me by.

I woke up in a bad mood, and I spent much of the day in a bad mood. I was frustrated and sad and felt completely powerless.

I went to my bed and cried, which usually helps me to feel better. I love crying – it’s such a great way to release all of my emotions that are boiling over and aren’t sure where to land. It’s usually very grounding for me, but this time it didn’t seem to alleviate any of my angst.

My soul kept asking me to get out – to leave the house – to shift it. 

But you know how when you’re feeling really down the last thing you want to do is summon the energy to get dressed and get ready and get out? That’s where I was. And so I stayed in bed and pulled the covers up.

But my soul is persistent, and it wouldn’t let it go. I could almost feel it pulling the covers back, taking my hand and brushing my hair, picking out some clothes, and pushing me out the door.

I knew from past experience that when going to my bed doesn’t do the trick, more drastic measures are needed. And getting out of the house and shifting my energy and being in a new environment always seems to help.

So my husband and I drove across the street and went into a couple of stores. We looked around, bought some things, and then came home an hour later.

Nothing really had changed externally, but so much had changed internally. My outlook changed. My demeanor changed. The dark cloud that had been over me since I woke up that morning had lifted.

I ate some cookies. I played a game. I snuggled with my cats. I chatted with my husband. And I smiled and felt at peace. I was back.

I don’t mind being sad. And I don’t mind being frustrated. I know that they are part of the human experience, and I always learn so much about myself when I’m in the midst of these emotions. But sometimes, they have a way of coming in all at once and taking over, and when that happens I don’t feel like I am learning from them – I just feel buried by them. So shifting is a great way for me to lessen their strength so that I am better able to understand them and grow from them.

I’m so glad my soul kept at it. I’m so grateful that I listened. And I’m so happy that I remembered to shift it all. It works wonders every single time. I highly recommend it the next time you’re having a “dark cloud” moment or are feeling underwater in any way. It truly doesn’t take much to shift, but the impact that it had is so powerful.

Hugs,