Meltdowns and meatballs

Sometimes, we're not upset for the reason we think we are. I've had several coaching clients lately who can tell they're getting more upset than usual, but they can't quite figure out why.

From what I see, meltdowns are rarely about the last thing that happened to send you over the edge - they are cumulative, a result of several things adding up until that emotional tipping point. Yet, it's hard to see that when it's happening; it's a bit more obvious in the rearview mirror.

When you are struggling with an emotional reaction to something, here are some questions to ask:

Ask yourself, "What else?" until you get the whole list of things that are wrong out of your system. Get out your journal, type in your phone, shout it in the car ... just get it all out! It's rarely just one thing that has you upset so it's the perfect time to excavate (especially if it's uncomfortable!).

Ask yourself, "Do I need to eat/drink?" This one might be annoying, but when we are not properly hydrated and/or fed, it affects our emotions and ability to think rationally. There's a reason those Snickers ads are so relatable!

Ask yourself, "Am I feeling 100%?" You could be fighting a cold, smacked by allergies, or lacking sleep, which could affect how a particular setback hits you. How we feel physically majorly impacts our emotional state.

Ask yourself, "What's filling me up?" Dog sports give to us (Qs, titles, ah-ha moments, progress) and they drain us (chewing puppies, frustrating dogs, struggling with skills) - are you running at a deficit? When we only have frustration without progress (for example), it can all feel a lot more trying. Often our "comfy shoe" dogs give us joy while a young dog tries our patience - so it balances out (ish). However, all the dogs might occasionally be on our last nerve (with love, of course), and we feel the drain. #reallife You may need to find joy from other sources until the balance is restored, but just be aware this could be the reason for your emotions.

Don't forget the power of venting - to a friend, a coach, an instructor, or a journal - and letting it all out. We hang onto a lot of emotional baggage, thinking it's no one else's burden until we're having a meltdown over forgetting treats, wondering how meatballs could bring us to tears.

Sports are hard! Dogs are complicated! Give yourself some grace and clear out that emotional baggage occasionally - you'll feel lighter!