Sometimes unexpected things happen. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned how to (mostly) accept unplanned situations that arise. Case in point: last Saturday I had plans to see Mockingjay at 3:45, any later & I turn into a walking zombie. Come to find out the universe had alternate plans for me, and I noticed I had a flat tire.
I knew my chances of making the 3:45 movie were impossible once the man at the tire shop told me it would take 3-4 hours to fix. This also happened to be the day of our first snow fall, and freezing temperatures causing every hermit and their moms to crawl out and prep for the winter season. To make matters worse my house lost power.
My room was as dark as this brownie…darker even.
No power means no heat.
So there I was at home (thanks to my wonderful mother swooping me up from the tire shop) wearing enough layers to give a blubbered elephant seal a run for their money, with no car, and no movie. I was calm, collected, and OK with this unexpected change in plans. Why? Because I am the only person with the power to prevent negativity.
Layers like this, but inside, and with no bike.
I chose optimism and spewed positive thoughts. I now have a fixed tire, and made it to the 6:30 movie (no zombie), which was fantastic by the way. It’s natural to be upset when things don’t go as planned, but choosing how to react is entirely up to you.
Go with the flow, it requires less energy.
Q: Who saw Mockingjay? Thoughts?
Blissfulbritt 
67 thoughts on “Going with the Flow”
isitveganuk
I completely agree – we are all responsible for our own emotions and reations. I fully believe you can choose to be happy :0)
auroraroschen
Hilarious post, as always! I personally was not impressed by Mockingjay (too slow paced and too much emo Katniss for my taste), but I AM impressed by your ability to control your emotions!
I’ve found that when a few things go wrong, I get upset, but if everything goes wrong at once (flat tire, no heat, potentially missing a would-be epic movie), I just start laughing because, well, the situation is laughable at that point and there’s really nothing else to be done. 🙂
Brittany
I can totally relate to the laughing as everything hits the fan at once. I can also agree the movie was a bit slow at times, but that ending was perfect!
jenkirk72
1) 3-4 hrs to fix a tire?!? That’s ridiculous! LOL
2) Mockingjay was AMAZING!!
Shawna
love the positivity, girlfriend. i haven’t seen Mockingjay but i dig the Hunger Games series so will def need to catch it at some point.
apartmentwife
such a simple post about persevering through the muckiness and focusing on the good stuff. now that you made it to the movie, maybe whip up those brownies?? perfect holiday treat 🙂
SY
Great post Brittany!!!! “Going with the Flow” I can dig it!!!! Control (*in my Janet Jackson voice*)
hyotoko25
Yes, it has always been easy for me to jump to that hard side when my luck starts running out. Then as most self-help books explain there is no such thing as luck only thoughts and reactions. Well since then Ive been a much nicer driver which is pretty impressive for a NYC driver I think. Also my anxiety and stress have really deminshed. So yes you got it right only I can make or break my day. And as a side note my wife and I went and watched the Mocking Jay and I have to say it was just okay to us. However, I am sure the next one will be very good since to me it seemed this movie was making that nice trasition to do so. I did like the ending however!
Brittany
I think the ending was why I thought it was so fantastic, it was so perfect it made me angry (angry to wait for part two!!) HA. Happy driving, stay safe!
shellybartz
You nailed it!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
I need to see Mockingjay. Last year Kevin and I played hooky from work to watch Catching Fire and we almost missed it because our garage door refused to close. Took out a few screws, closed it manually, and made the movie but it took those positive thoughts you were talking about to keep from throwing a temper tantrum when things didn’t go as planned right off the bat.
It is cool and empowering to think that regardless of the circumstances, we can choose our reactions!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy
Glad your day ended up alot better than it started!
I can’t wait to see Mockingjay!!! I promised my sis I would wait for her to visit me for Christmas until I saw it, so I still have to wait 3 more weeks. That was a bad idea
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Ugh. I needed this post today! And I need that brownie, too. Too many negative thoughts going on right now and I need to turn them to positive ASAP. And again, I also need that brownie in my mouth ASAP. Glad you made it to the movie and enjoyed it 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
glenn
You should start a book girl..everyone can get mad and negative when a situation goes wrong or not as planned but its what you do when ur your in that situation that makes u either a pain in the ass to be around or the funnest person in the world.good blog, greater attitude>♡
Brittany
Thanks Glenn, and thanks for the comment. 🙂
I’ve had many, many thoughts about writing a book. Who knows, maybe that’s in my future.
hellotofit
Love reading your posts — so much fun. Haven’t seen the new Hunger Games movie yet, but hope to in the near future!
Britta
Amen to that! Sometimes shit gets buck wild and I have a minor freakout for about 10 seconds and then I regroup and let it go (or try to!). I also hope you ate that brownie, or something like it to makes things better..unless you’re still doing that no sugar thing.. crazy cat!! XO
thewhisperingpen
Positive thoughts and smiles go a long way!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I want to see both you and the blubbered elephant seal running for the money. Great imagery.
Point well made. I always say we need to change our expectations too. Once we change those, we can accept the reality without the pomp and circumstance or blubbering like a baby (or perhaps an elephant seal). 🙂
Hannah
Ha! This is the exact opposite of the way I react to anything, but I try. I really really try 🙂
chvsrunning
Good point! Sometimes we need a reminder that it’s up to us to react to unexpected things in a different way… a better way.
Thanks for a great post.
🙂
Angela
Loving the positive vibes, who needs a pity party anyway?!? 😉
I loved the movie too ❤
brittanylesser
Love this! Totally agree. And I loved Mockingjay 🙂
natasha
Whoa…are you from DC? I live there and I know those red bikes (:
Brittany
No, I’m from the other Washington. This photo is from when I visited your area last march! 🙂 love those bikes!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Girl, you’re turning me on as I imagine you as a blubbered elephant sea lion! OMG WAIT…. I saw you like this at the Santa Monica Pier!!! http://instagram.com/p/sxJ8N2oU7d/?modal=true
BAHHH HA HA HA HA! You hottie hot hot! You should be the Centerfold in next month’s Sexy Sea Magazine
Brittany
Bahahaha, awww that was THREE MONTHS AGO, holy hell!! THIS IS TOO LONG to be away from each other.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I KNOWWWW I AM IN COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL!!
Anthony
I used to get really frustrated at things like that. These days, however, I just stop, chuckle at myself, and get on with life. It requires me to stifle some negativity and a self pitying “why me?” but getting back to the positive is always much better.
harveylisam
Rockstar! You’re totally right — it’s all about your attitude.
Luv What You Do
I love this post…
life definitely throws lots of unexpected curve balls your way and going with the flow is the best way to enjoy the ride! Can’t wait to see the movie!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
What you said about positivity requiring less energy? Definitely YES. I’m always telling people that I don’t have the energy to waste on negativity because it really does take so much out of you. Not to mention you get to a point where you realize that most things aren’t worth getting worked up over anyways. Things are gonna happen the way they’re gonna happen — the best we can do is smile and say giddy up.
growingawildflower
You had me in second with the big beautiful brownie photo. Seriously I was hoping the recipe was at the end of the post. But it was a good read! But still waiting for the recipe! 🙂 Thank you for your like on Joyfully Good Banana Bread Muffins! 🙂
Brittany
Confession: This was a restaurant purchased brownie!! Isn’t it just gorgeous!?
Ellie
I have not seen Mockingjay but have heard good things. I saw Catching Fire in IMAX and it was AWESOME! I think Jennifer Lawrence is the bomb so I’ll watch anything she’s in!
Brittany
Agreed, and I have the same feels about Shailene Woodley. She is my favorite.
charissarunning
Good for you! Positivity in rough situations that are way out of your control is the way to go. I think I need to remind myself of that.
Also, Mockingjay was amazing! I saw it with my family the day before Thanksgiving and was only sorry it didn’t run longer 😥 Can’t wait for part 2! But luckily I’ve read the books so I do know the ending 😉
Arman @ thebigmansworld
YES. this is so true- and ironically, something I struggled with but I’ve learnt life’s too short to hold onto the past!
BeckyHelps
Every time I see this expression now it brings up the image of a poster my niece made: Only dead fish go with the flow. (think it was for a climate change demo).
Brittany
Hahah!
jennanolten
I thought the movie was impressive, but it was different than expected somehow. I don’t know what it was… meh another year to wait for the next movie 😦
emmahume
Wise words!! And such a great film – glad you got to see it in the end!
earthzenmama
Amen! I am also becoming more aware about my reactions to things that happen. Mockingjay rocked my world.
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
Your positive energy is beautiful!! So true. You can keep talking about and stewing over the bad things that happen or you can just solve the little issues and move on.
dave w
Hi Britt! You have lots of subscribers already, but I love your writing so I’m nominating you anyway 🙂
http://thecountyfare.net/2014/12/03/liebster-award/
meridethcohrs
I hear ya – life happens! I’m also dying to see the new Mockingjay movie – trying to find the time in my week when the little guy is at school 🙂
Corral Bandit
I did not see the movie … however, I love your ability to take a negative situation and make it positive. My husband always jokes that if I would ever lose my license I would no doubt be okay with running to work. After all, it is 26 miles one way … hmmm…
The Vegan 8
You are just awesome and I love your amazing attitude, but what I love even more is that brownie!! Oh my gosh…the darker the brownie the better. I love dark chocolate!!!
jennieharborth
Brittany, you have been nominated by me for the Liebster award. Have a look at my post to see whether you would like to accept: http://jenniesjournals.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/i-have-been-nominated-for-liebster-award.html
Brittany
Thank you Jennie!! I tried to comment on your post, but have no way to do so without entering a gmail account it appears? Consider the award accepted. Thanks again.
jennieharborth
Thank you Brittany. Sorry you couldn’t respond. I’ll have a look at the settings.
Choc Chip Uru
That is so wise – go with the flow is the only way though (dat rhyming :P)
Great movie by the trailer I am seeing it soon too!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The Zen Kat
You know I LOVE this message. It’s the only way to be. 🙂
Rach @ This Italian Family
Of no! In so sorry about your tire! I’m glad it’s all fixed now though! I’m with you on it being about your attitude in situations like this! Glad you stayed positive! 🙂
Aja
houses on the west side lose power so often for a place that doesn’t have daily 30mph< winds. I'm glad you're being so positive. That's important and something I need to work on.
Food, Booze, & Baggage
I realize it has nothing little to do with the point of the story, but that brownie looks so good!! Sorry always distracted by food 🙂 I would have been freaking over the power being out. Glad it all worked out though and you still made it to your movie!
An Unrefined Vegan
You are one cool cookie, lady!
Christina Does It All
Love this and completely agree! It’s all about choosing that happy attitude. Ps When we meet one of these days (It will happen!) let’s ride bikes together.
Brittany
DEAL!! I still…repeat…STILL need to buy myself a good bike. I’ve been talking about this forever. I did notice that Seattle just got a bike share similar to the one in this photo!! YAY!
Melanie
I love your optimism and I’m glad you were still able to make it to the movie! Um, that brownie looks amazing too!
Nicole
Well said! 🙂
allieksmith
Amen. You hit the nail on the head. Going with the flow requires less energy. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie, too!!
Miss Polkadot
“I am the only person with the power to prevent negativity.” – I want to print and frame that quote as a daily reminder for myself and everybody else who needs it. I’m a fan of positive thinking so I guess I’m a fan of you?! (:
Brittany
Awww shucks!! 😉
ilovecoffeeandcandles
Awesome blog! Love your tips for first time bloggers, too! Thanks for the subscription!
kathy@vodka and soda
hell to the yes; we are the only ones who can control our mood! i have been trying really hard to live this given the past 2 weeks i’ve had.
Diane @ life of di.
I totally agree with this Brittany. I really needed to read this today. I feel like I’ve been so pessimistic over the last week or so and, you’re right, only WE can control our perspective. I need to not beat myself up over all of the little things and when I make a mistake I need to accept it and move on – not dwell!