I want to hug each and every one of you that commented on my last post. It’s sometimes scary opening your heart and soul to a sea of people, but I am thankful that I have never once received a negative comment on my blog. The community we have built here is one I am happy to be apart of, even when I don’t blog as often.
I adore having this space to share bits of my life.
I want to say thank you for all the kind words shared the last handful of years, and while my blog is just a small speck in a sea of whales I appreciate anyone that stops by. I read and reply to EACH comment, so if you ever ask a question please be sure to check back in for my reply!
I don’t have the fancy capabilities to have my reply sent to your email, so we just have to put in a little work to engage in conversation in my neck of the woods.
SPEAKING OF woods, I took myself on a solo hike last Tuesday and it was one for the books. A complete spirit, mind, and body renewal.
I finished my set of classes about a week and a half ago and I tried to get a small bit of exploring in before starting back up again today. My first round went smashingly well, and it was nice to take a non school related book with me into the mountains.
I’m currently reading Amy Poehler’s book “Yes Please” and it’s both entertaining and inspirational all wrapped into one. I was fortunate enough to have this spot of the trail to myself for a while, until a fellow reader came and sat down. It was like our own unannounced book club. Reading different books. Not speaking.
Just go with it.
To balance out this solo adventure I made plans to hangout with a friend a few days later. Like a real life human friend, but first I had to give some love to my main man.
Since I’m trying to push myself out of the isolated bubble human interaction is necessary, but the allure of the silence while walking with animals is one I will never outgrow. There is something special about not being alone, but also not speaking.
Does that make sense? I’m sounding crazier by the minute.
I had quite the adventure once reunited with my friend. At lunch I was served beef after ordering a vegan burger, and then I was blindfolded by a towel while laying on a stingy recliner at a $25 foot massage/full body abuse chamber. The beauty of being balanced is that moments like this are easy to laugh at. I thank my solo hike.
I also thank my running, even when inconsistent.
Mistakes happen, and why people get worked up when they do is beyond me. I will never be the person to demand a free meal from a mistake, or not leave a tip because my “masseuse” was training for his next cage fight on my arm.
So what’s today’s takeaway?
Before letting your own mental distress hurt someone else, put yourself in their shoes. Have you never messed something up before? Have you never upset another person? Have you done something to be given the right to treat people rudely because you feel you’re entitled to? We are all in this world together and should all be treated the same.
In all honesty though I won’t be adventuring to a cheap sketchy massage place again anytime soon, but the memory is one I will laugh at for years.
Q: Allergy concerns aside, take a moment to think about how you would react if your food order was messed up. Is it really worth it to cause a big scene? My waiter was extremely embarrassed and apologetic, had he been rude perhaps it would have been a different story, but we each treated each other with respect and called it a day.
79 thoughts on “Balanced Isolation Leads to Peaceful Understanding”
transforminglifenow
As a vegan there have been a few times when even though I was sure I’d been clear about my order it was wrong. I’ve tried to be respectful of the waiter, since they’re so busy. I’ve never had a problem. Maybe just lucky or maybe my sweet demeanor helped? 😉
Brittany
I don’t often get a mistake burger, but this one was very clearly meat haha. I didn’t take a bite because I could immediately tell. I think when eating out we have to expect there could be mistakes unless it’s a 100% vegan place.
transforminglifenow
So true!
pausesandclicks
Every person who eats in a restaurant should first have to work in one for six months! We’d have a lot less stress among the servers and the world would be a nicer place. Getting angry only raises everyone’s blood pressure, right? And as long as the mistake is corrected, it’s all good. Also, in any service establishment worth it’s salt, the customer is always right anyway, even if they aren’t! Unless of course, the customer is being overly rude and verbally abusing people. Ha ha! Can you tell I’ve waited more than my share of tables when I was a younger person?!?
Brittany
Amen my friend! I often say one of the greatest gifts I’ve received from working customer service is compassion.
geezer94
Ms Brittany, wonderful photographs and the location looks rugged. Sometimes I catch myself in a running commentary with Gretchen only to find she has left the kitchen and is asleep on the couch with her squirrel toy. Small dogs do make good sounding boards because there are times when listening is what you need …
g
Brittany
Yes! I’m glad you get what I’m saying. No room to feel crazy when talking to animals, we all do it. 😝
Angela
Another great post, that hike looks so peaceful! I’ll never understand people who get angry about things like that, but, I guess they are really lucky if all they have to complain about is a wrong order.
Brittany
I think most people that complain about something as small as a wrong order have bigger underlying issues in life. That’s what keeps me going at my job haha.
Bradley on the Run
I love your outlook on things. Solitude is underrated. And what amazing views!
I’ve served, and was a barista at Starbucks. It’s a tough gig. I never give servers a hard time. In a situation like yours, I’d do the exact same thing.
Brittany
Working customer service has blessed me with compassion that most people sadly don’t have. We live in a “I want it now and I want it my way” world which is sad.
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
puppy alone time is some of the best alone time. I love taking my pup out for walks soaking in the sun and the vitamin d. PS—keep posting your amazing pictures i make you jealous with my adventures you make me doubly jealous with your gorgeous mountain hikes!
Brittany
We balance each other haha!
Nicola
I confess to getting internally cranky sometimes when a mistake isn’t recognised or apologised for. But even then i’m too polite to actually say anything. (Coming from an ex-hospo worker who has made plenty of mistakes in her time!) stunning pics! I’d like to go there wherever that might be.
Brittany
Internal and external crankiness is TOTALLY different. We are humans, internal battles happen all day long. I’ll confess that despite his embarrassment, the manager coming to check on me, and the fact that the beef was oozing on my plate…I was a bit salty he still charged me $2 for a slice of avocado the size of a quarter. 😝
Nicola
Totally. Their reaction, actions and the freebies all play a part in keeping them off the ‘black list’ as my fiance Juls like to say. Have a great day Brit.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Shit son. And to think I was going to bring you to the “woods” of LA… Where you’d get a $20 full body massage… Next to 10 other people. Guess I should cross that off of the TO DO WITH BRITT when she’s in LA again list… WOMP WOMP!
Brittany
Dude…I tried to get s regular massage the way you did it by just calling day of (thinking that being near Seattle we would have a better chance) but NO ONE was available haha. Thus the adventure at the Chinese salon.
Ellie
If it’s vegan, I eat it regardless 😛 If it was something like your situation, I proceed with caution. Sometimes I just scrap off the non-vegan stuff, other times I ask for what I actually ordered. I’m not above scraping off cheese or mayo on burgers (I’ve done that with mayo my whole life).
Oh, and consider this your FIRST negative comment:
1 – 3 = -2
There 🙂
Brittany
I’m with you, I also go out with an open mind knowing that there is a possibility that something may be cross contaminated. I’ve had cheese on my beans multiple times, but in an easy to scrape off clump. 🙂 AHHH you popped the negative cherry. 😉
Jade
Yes Please is such a good book! When my order is messed up I just go with it. They’d have to throw it out and make a whole new one if I asked for a correction and I’m not wasteful. If it was an allergy that’s understandable, but just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean I can’t scrape it off myself and should instead demand a redo.
Brittany
Scrap off, definitely. I have done that often. I hate waste too, buuuttt eating the beef was not an option ha.
GottaKnowWriteNow
Enjoy your posts. What a beautiful little dog!
Brittany
Thank you! 🙂
Kelsey Ann Yoki
I am definitely a just go with it type of person – the only time I can think of my saying anything is when I’ve been in a coffeehouse and ordered my drink with non-dairy milk and I see them grab the normal milk. But – I always approach it in the friendliest way possible, and they are always apologetic as well.
Brittany
YES! All it takes is a kind tone.
Josh dV
I am so happy when I come here. What a great space you have created. It makes my heart happy to see it has a similar effect on you.
Yes Please! is very funny and I highly recommend you listen to the audiobook version. She ad libs and has guests. Patrick Stewart reading her plastic Stewart Hiaku…priceless!
I get what you’re saying about silence. Being able to be with someone and not have to fill the space, but just share it is incredibly nurturing.
Brittany
I had no idea she read for an audio book!! BRILLIANT and thank you for sharing. Also, thank you for the first three sentences…made my night!
Katharina
I’ve just found your blog and this post really spoke to me! I love hiking alone, it really connects me to “myself”, which a lot of people seem to find strange. I guess some people struggle with the difference of being alone and being lonely. To me it’s not the same – I am quite content being alone (well, not all the time, I enjoy other people’s company, but I do like my own company 😉 ) and sometimes I might even feel lonely when other people are present. Sorry, getting carried away 😉
I love your pictures!
Brittany
I 100% know what you’re saying and couldn’t agree more! Thanks for the comment :).
treyzpop
I work at a deli so I know the feeling of ungrateful customers. Though I have many wonderful people that stop by, we do have those that seem to wake up on the wrong side of the bed everyday. How can that be? And how do you get to the place where you feel that you can treat others poorly simply because you are upset with life. From time to time its very tough not to give them the same attitude back but what good would that do? Only give them the excuse to treat you and others even worse. Stay positive Brittany, it always helps make the day shine brighter.
Brittany
I hear ya my friend, I encounter these people daily myself. I confess I’ve been snarky when they treat my employees poorly, but you’re right when you say “what good would that do?” Spew positivity all day! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I love you were able to get just the right amount of solitude coupled with human interaction, even if some of it was the S&M variety. I had no idea you swung that way. 😉
I can’t fathom getting worked up over the simple things in life, especially small mistakes. It’s why I struggle at work sometimes. People blow small things out of proportion and I just can’t get down with that.
Brittany
Ugh people kill me sometimes. 🙈
Jane
I make mistakes all the time and hope people will be kind to me, so I usually am pretty calm about issues like wrong food orders. We never know what someone may be going through in their lives either that could explain why they are acting a certain way. 🙂
LOVED the hiking pics! Combined with a great book, yummy snacks and a loyal buddy (whether furry or human) hiking can be both relaxing and energising. I will have to look up the book you are reading in my local library. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures in blog posts. I love them. 🙂
Brittany
I always consider hardships others are working through and give the benefit of the doubt! Thank you 😝
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
It’s definitely not worth making a big scene about it. People make mistakes, that’s what make us human.
Brittany
Yes! Exactly, we are humans!!
Lindsay Edwards
This. Speaks. To. My. Soul. Solo hikes sound so amazing right now. I love love love them ❤
Brittany
Preach!! They complete us.
Shawna
i always live by the “watch how a person treats a waiter and not just you” rule when dating or getting to know someone — says a lot about a person’s character, and i’m also a firm believer in treating everyone with kindness and compassion. we’re all human beings and mistakes are natural, and the true test of character is revealed in how we handle less-than-ideal situations. love your perspective. and those pictures!! gah. TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUU. ❤
Brittany
Oh I like that rule! I’ll have to use that.
allisonfiorini
Mistakes DO happen and that is just life. And I’m noticing lately (maybe because it’s Lent and I’m just trying to be a bit more mindful) how upset people get with each other over mistakes. How nasty people can be to each other, and how thoughtless people can be. Myself included – I am not above anyone else. I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to let things go and be more kind and compassionate. Life is just better that way.
Your adventure and pictures – gorgeous as always! I don’t know, your isolation seems pretty fabulous.
Brittany
I have to be mindful of my attitude often, I find myself wanting to get snooty to the rude people. In the end I kill them with kindness and call it a day. 😝
An Unrefined Vegan
Your “main man” is tugging at my heart strings – what a cutie pie!
As far as food order screw ups…it kind of depends on the circumstances as you note. If the server/staff are d**ks, then my reaction would not be so understanding. But, if I feel like the mistake is just “one of those things,” then I’m cool with the problem being addressed and not penalizing anyone. I empathize w/ hardworking restaurant folk – it’s a tough and sometimes thankless job!
Brittany
Yes! Agreed 100%. I also keep an open mind when I go to non vegan joints.
Jim Brennan
I love your neck of the woods, and no worries I’m heading to 62 and never tire of time alone. Solitude is bliss, especially at elevation, and a little literature never hurt. Love your honesty and openness, Brit.
Brittany
I’m loving reading in the mountains lately!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
“Before letting your own mental distress hurt someone else, put yourself in their shoes. Have you never messed something up before? Have you never upset another person? ” <– THIS. I can't cause scenes or be rude to people. Sometimes I'll get snarky if the person is being a dink, but I try to keep it civil and mature because God only knows how many times I've messed up myself. That and we have no idea what the other person is going through and how big of a difference our reaction can make in their day.
Brittany
BAM. For real though. 😝
Rach @ This Italian Family
I love this post. Yes, yes, yes! I don’t understand why everyone can’t treat each other with respect and take a moment to ask themselves those same questions.
Honestly, my order at restaurants has gotten messed up plenty of times. Usually I just go with it since I’m not a picky eater, but if it’s a dietary issue, I’ll request a change, but I’m always kind about it.
You’ll find this interesting because you work at Sbux, but Starbucks is by far the place that my order gets messed up the most frequently and it’s just simply because there’s so many parts to my drink (decaf skinny mocha with coconut milk). Our store gets it right because everyone in there knows me. But if I’m at a new Sbux, it’s about a 50/50 shot they’ll get one part of the drink wrong. You’re going to laugh at this, but I’ve learned the way to have it made right every single time is to act like I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ll be like “Hey, do you guys have sugar free mocha sauce? Awesome… so can I get that in a hot drink. And with decaf coffee. Oh, and also, can I get coconut milk instead of regular.” For some reason, when I break it down like that, they get my drink right every time (probably because they have more time to process what I’m saying). OR if I start off by telling them, “okay my drink is kind of complicated…” and wait for them to get a Sharpie ready with a cup and then I tell them my order. To which they always respond, “Oh, that’s not complicated. That’s nothing compared to the other drinks we have ordered here!” But I’m telling you, if I don’t do one of those two things, they get my drink wrong about half the time.
Anyway, if my drink is made wrong at Starbucks, I always request the change. I can’t have the sugar or the caffeine and the dairy upsets my stomach. So each of those are important. I’m always really nice about it and usually even toss out a “oh, I may have forgotten to ask for decaf” so they can save face. Usually the baristas are really nice about it, though some have been awful. There have been a couple of Sbux inside Targets and airports that were particularly bad costumer service wise. But the freestanding stores are usually pretty good about it.
Super long comment over, haha!
Brittany
Haha!! It’s funny because my initial thought is also “oh that’s not complicated.” I can imagine that’s super annoying having it made wrong so often though!! Barista promise is that we will HAPPILY fix the mistake. Shame on the rude baristas!!
katalysthealth
Oh my goodness that scenery! I am so jealous. I need to get out of this cave of mine that I call home. Sheesh.
And what a pretty pup! I find there is nothing better than some quality puppy time. Mine always cheer me up while managing to simultaneously tick me off [cuddling with me and shedding ALL over my black leggings – ugh].
Brittany
Yea the shedding drives me bonkers, along with the needy whining, but overall he’s a good dude. 😝
kathy @ more coffee, less talky
i’ve had my order messed up plenty of times but eh, i just go with it. if i really don’t like it, i’ll alert the staff but i don’t demand shit or act like a dick head because of it. shit happens, life goes on.
Brittany
Preach brotha, hashtag real talk.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
I love that a fellow hiker-reader sat down and you guys read together apart for awhile. So cool.
Also, I love that dog. He’s so handsome.
It sounds like you handled the messed up food order and the not-so-relaxing massage with grace and dignity. 🙂
Brittany
Grace and dignity, I like that! My friend was like “you should tell them you have an allergy and they’ll give you free meal” and I was like yeah not gonna happen. She was baffled that I didn’t cause a scene. She’s a character that one. 🙈
Kayse
Oh sister, we are almost always on the same page in life. I’ve been solo hiking and taking my neighbors dog along with me to have companionship without any conversation so much lately.
As far as food orders go, if it’s something like you mentioned in a comment above, cheese on my beans, etc., I’ll scrape it off. If it’s like eggs mixed in with my fried rice, I apologetically ask for a swap… And I always tip MORE than I normally would as an extra thank you for being willing to help me out with my food avoidances. I’ve totally told a waiter or waitress that I’m ‘allergic’ to dairy or eggs in order to get them to take my food requests seriously, though hahaha. I live in a pretty ‘meat and potatoes’ type community, and most people don’t take veganism seriously at all.
Brittany
I never tell anyone I’m a vegan, it automatically puts a stamp on my face that people don’t understand. Telling them there is an allergy is a much better way to do it! I so wish we lived closer. ❤️
Kayse
Me toooooo!!
Melanie @ HappyBeingHealthy
I love your attitude and thoughts toward others and just going with the flow! That massage place sounds interesting. Ha ha. I love your pics of the mountains and reading up in the mountains sounds so heavenly. I would love to do that! Your dog is absolutely adorable, btw. ❤ ❤
Brittany
The pooch is one of my “clients” haha. We hangout three times a week and he stares at me with puppy eyes.
dave379
I agree it’s best when you can laugh it off and understand that not everything and no one is perfect, which is similar to saying mistakes happen. I think the more we accept that in ourselves, the easier it is to accept it in and connect with others. Thank you too for sharing, and love the solo hiking pics and thoughts – made me feel more relaxed just seeing and reading them. I know what you’re talking about too with the something special about not being alone but not speaking idea – sometimes this happens with people too, and that’s great too.
Brittany
I had a wonderful hiking partner a couple summers ago that I was able to be with, but we were able to get lost in the hike and not speak. It was so wonderful.
Amy
Again and again… It’s like you’re my twin. I did the exact same thing at a restaurant on Wednesday! The kitchen got my protein choice on my salad wrong (yes, yet another twin moment…), but the server immediately apologized and took it back to make it right. That’s all that matters to me, that everyone treats each other with respect and simply tries their best. I’m also trying to spend more time out of my hermit crab shell and hang out with other friends in person, not just online, but after a handful of quality meet-ups over the past two weeks, I’m really looking forward to some good ol’ alone time next weekend! 😉
Brittany
Right!? It’s like a recharge spending time with others and then you crave that alone time! HA. We are totally opposite of most, but I dig it.
Allie Zottola
I think balanced, purposeful isolation leads to contentment. It blows my mind that children are put in time out by themselves as a form of punishment. I always think, since when is being alone a bad thing?! Our society makes it seem as though isolation is a bad, bad thing. But some people need it to re-charge and balance their life!
Anyways. I love your furry friend and I’m so happy you had a fun time with your human friend!
Brittany
What a fantastic point about timeouts and how society has put a negative spin on being alone.
stateeats
Hi Britt – I’m with you, why get mad? It only gets everyone’s blood pressure up and then everyone leaves feeling crappy. We’ re all only human , muddling along in this life.On another note, your doggie is CUUUUUUUUTE!! – Kat
Brittany
Yup, no sense in raising out BP without a reason. Such as being chased by tigers.
Josie @ Literature Mistress
I would LOVE to have a book club meeting on that mountain with you – it looks so peaceful! Why do you live so far away? I thought while reading your last post, that I’d go on a hike with you anytime – I have a similar problem to yours: most of the people in my life are to sedentary to enjoy that kind of thing. Also, we don’t have such pretty mountains over here I guess, which is why I need to come to your blog and look at your pretty mountain pictures. 😉
Brittany
I’ll share the mountain photos as often as I can! 😝
Gameplan Happily Ever After
I totally agree with you. We are all humans and mistakes are bound to happen. But shouting your head off is not going to make things right again is it? I admire you though for not getting mad because I have seen people making undue fuss in restaurants when the dishes are mixed up. (Not because of allergy of course) . I mean people make mistakes at work and in real life also and how can you expect a waiter to be Mr. Perfect ?
And yes sometimes we all need our alone space to put us right back on track 🙂
Between those are some real picturesque backgrounds ❤ ❤
Brittany
I get so uncomfortably embarrassed for the folks that cause that big of a stink, it just ain’t right!
Gameplan Happily Ever After
I know. I can relate to that as well !! Well let us be the change we want to see 🙂
Pingback: First Attempt | Blissfulbritt
Arctic Hare!
Your comparison of your massage to a boxer in training made me giggle! XD And, the pictures of the wooden formation in the water were soo pretty and peaceful-looking!! 🙂 And I so agree, it’s so important to be respectful of people first and work on solving the problem second. I mean, if everyone did that working in customer service wouldn’t probably be a big deal at all! 🙂
Brittany
It was a brutal massage I’ll never forget. Ha!! I think everyone should have to work customer service for a year before continuing into adulthood. It teaches compassion and respect (hopefully.)