We all have down days. Those moments where all we want to do is bed-rot with a massive bowl of tater tots. (OK, maybe for you it’s Reese’s Puffs, grilled cheese, or pie, but you get the point.)
I had one of those days yesterday. Most of what could go wrong? It did. There was no break to breathe. Hormones were everywhere. I was hangry (I really did want tater tots). All work and no play was making me a dull and unhappy girl.
My husband shared this video from Sabine Johnson with me to cheer me up.
If you notice, the video is a compilation. From a scientific perspective, the reason you stay engaged with it is because each clip is a new little amusement. Each dog is novel and interesting, and your brain gets little repeat pings of dopamine as the doggity parade goes by.
And sometimes, when you have a want-to-eat-tater-tots-under-the-covers day, those little repeat pings feel awesome.
It’s balanced and a more appropriate coping approach somehow.
Many little irritations.
Many little pieces of happy.
It makes sense to me.
If the irritations are small and quick, why not punch back with a small, quick *whatever* that gives you just a little jolt?
All the little irritations add up. That’s why we have the phrase “death by a thousand cuts.” But all the little jolts of joy add up, too.
What happens if you get a thousand of those?
Small, tiny wins, when compiled together, can translate to the bigger reset that’s necessary.
It’s just that sometimes we have to intentionally compile.
Which is, I suppose, the bright side of the Internet.
I’ll add to it (and end this post) with my own doggo living his best, sleep-with-his-new-ball life. One last little joy jolt won’t hurt you.
