I consider myself a pretty positive person. My glass is typically half-full, if you will. However, I’ve invented a new game, and it’s called the “I Hate Game.” It is also, I have come to realize, a coping mechanism I’ve developed since becoming a mother of 3 under 3. I play this game when I start to get irritated, or when I’m just in a bad mood. It’s mostly about complaining, but it feels good to unload, and it always ends up making me laugh. It’s kind of hard to explain the rules exactly, so I’ll just give you an example of how I played it recently. I have a feeling you’ll get the gist of it.
After a long, difficult day with the kids, I was washing bottles (the last thing I really felt like doing) and I just flat out said, “I HATE washing bottles.” Saying it out loud felt good, so I continued: “I HATE that the garbage is ALWAYS full.” “I HATE that I’m exhausted and I still have to put all the backyard toys away.” “I HATE it when I buy a dozen eggs to make egg salad, but don’t get around to making it before the eggs expire.”… … … Most of my “I HATEs” begin with the usual not so enjoyable household duties. Then I start getting creative, and that’s when my mood begins to shift. … … … “I HATE it when I’m sitting in church and the old guy next to me has a whistle coming from his nose as he breathes.” “I HATE that when it rains and I walk into a store I’m always the ONLY one with really squeaky shoes.” “I HATE that most elevators have nothing to look at other than the floor numbers – awkward.” “I HATE that I go to Target almost every day, but I still have a hard time finding what I need.” “I also HATE it that I go to Starbucks almost every day, but never know what I want when it’s my turn to order, and then I end up ordering the same thing I always order.” … … …
You can see the direction of these “I HATE” statements, right? Isn’t it interesting how something so seemingly negative can produce such a positive effect?! I always end up laughing, and then I’m much more relaxed. Sometimes I even finish those annoying end of the day household duties with a little smile on my face. After all, once I’m on a roll, I can’t really stop. I keep thinking of funny “I HATEs” and I’m able to go to bed with the giggles, which totally annoys my husband…which makes me giggle even more. 
