Monday Blues

Just a few days ago, I found myself awake before 5 AM, unable to return to sleep due to a sharp pain in my lower right jaw, likely caused by a wisdom tooth. This discomfort explained my fatigue during a recent combat sports training session, which I initially blamed on the heat of the day. Now, I understood that the pain had significantly drained my energy.

Despite my condition, I participated in my morning meetings but struggled to speak. I eventually decided to take the remainder of the day off. Fortunately, I was able to find a dentist who could see me the same day—a rare occurrence in Berlin, where securing medical appointments can often take weeks unless it’s urgent.

Finding Reasons to Complain

Taking a day off felt discouraging, especially as I was nearing the completion of several projects that might now be delayed. The dental office was quite a distance from my home, and in Berlin, we often rely on bicycles for transport, meaning I had a long ride ahead.

While cycling, I recalled that during a weekend event, I had misplaced my sunglasses and jacket, which were supposedly safe in the wardrobe. On that Monday morning, I received an email stating that my items had been found and I needed to pick them up.

Additionally, I had recently ordered a machine online, but the delivery service claimed I wasn’t home when they attempted delivery—a falsehood, as I had been inside the entire time. Now, I was faced with the task of retrieving the heavy box from the post office.

Time to Whine

Photo by Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash

As I cycled to the dentist, I found myself grumbling about everything. My internal dialogue was filled with complaints:

• If I’m injured, I can’t train for days, which will hinder my fitness goals.
• Postponing meetings will delay my projects.
• I would miss out on an important meeting that could provide exposure for my team.
• How long will this recovery take?
• Why am I pedaling in the heat when I’m already fatigued?
• I had a disagreement with someone important to me, likely due to my sour mood.
• Why should I retrieve my belongings when they misplaced them? They should deliver them.
• Why do delivery services often pull this stunt in Germany?

These negative thoughts clouded my mind, leading to a sour mood upon arriving at the dentist.

After examining me, the dentist suggested I visit another clinic for a potential tooth extraction, advising me against riding my bike there. While he was kind and helpful, this news only fueled my frustration about having to travel across the city again.

Time to Fight Back

Photo by Dominik Pearce on Unsplash

On my ride back home, I recognized that I was allowing trivial matters to overwhelm my thoughts. I had fallen into a negative spiral without even realizing it.

I reminded myself: it’s time to move forward. I can’t control these situations, so I should relax and appreciate the beautiful day.

In that moment, my ego tried to resist, but I firmly decided to take control. I had recognized the issue, and now it was up to me to choose my thoughts and feelings.

With that realization, I laughed, took a deep breath, and smiled. It was time to redirect my focus towards something uplifting, so I began writing this story.

I felt lighter and no longer angry. A few hours later, after having my wisdom tooth extracted, I returned home to share a laugh with my girlfriend about my swollen face and the day’s events.

While these issues were indeed minor, they serve as a reminder that when we feel uncomfortable, distracted, or stressed, we can easily let negativity take over our minds. Shifting from a negative to a positive perspective is empowering and reinforces the idea that we have control over our thoughts.

I hope that if you encounter similar challenges, you remember that you too have the power to choose your mindset.

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