This is our car. Yes, he’s red but in true Aussie style we’ve called him Bluey;
Evidently he should be yellow because we’ve just found out he’s pretty much a lemon and we’d do well to find someone who can re-attach the wheels such that they don’t unhinge themselves and roll off down the road.
Now don’t get me started on bloody dodgy car yards who provide you with a road worthy (ie safety certificate) from their “reputable” [read: even dodgier] mechanic and keep saying things like, “we’ve had it checked over and I gotta tell you, it’s in great condition” or “no, no, definitely hasn’t been taken on the beach” or “starts like a dream eh” or ”OK, just because I’m such a nice guy, I’ll knock $5 off the price” or the ever impressive “we’re practically giving it away for that price.”
WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE FREAKIN GIVEN IT AWAY BECAUSE THE WHEELS ARE PRACTICALLY FALLING OFF!!! And by the way, it might start like a dream but the FREAKIN WHEELS ARE FALLING OFF YOU BLEEPING, BLEEPITY, BLEEP, BLEEP, BLEEP!
Alrighty now, breathe Sami. All is not lost. The floor mats work great.
This week’s Friday Question;
When faced with a frustration or less than desirable situation, what strategies do you use to remain positive and calm (and stop you from hiring a hitman)?
So I’m focussing on the fact that the floor mats do actually work great and I’m doing a LOT of deep breathing. Any other suggestions (or the number for a hitman) would be welcomed!
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Hey Sami! Your poor thing… but you still crack me up! Recently I have found that focusing on the good things happening to me helps. We have been facing a lot of roadblocks/obstacles lately that have made things feel very hard and frustrating. I have found that doing things I enjoy, exercising and focusing on the good things has helped loads. If I can, I try and plan a course of action to get me out of the less then desirable situation, but if all else fails I just try and laugh and keep going! I would love to hear other peoples strategies too, there might be something new I can use. Good post!
I do my best to try to keep things in perspective. Of course this isn’t always easy but it’s usually worth a try. Next I try deep breaths and thinking of calming thoughts. If possible, I try to remove myself from the situation and come back to it later.
Well, hm. There’re several answers to THAT question.
If I’m really angry, I do something to physically dispel the anger: a run, a workout, throwing ice cubes in the tub (sounds silly but it’s much safer than throwing actually plates … less costly too).
As for the non-physical “dealing with it” part, I remind myself that fretting and becoming angry about the past isn’t going to change the now. I can vent until the cows come home about how this car shouldn’t have been sold to me and “what were they thinking?” etc. but it’s not going to change the fact that I still have a lemon. So, that’s when I start planning how to deal with the present. And that really all depends on the situation and the personality of who I’m dealing with. If I can come up with some kind of game plan from that, then this goes a long way toward helping me calm down.
It’s a matter of figuring out what I have control over and what I don’t. The sooner I realize what is out of my control, the better … then I’m not fretting over it and getting frustrated. Does this help? At all?
We’re just about to head out the door (off to visit the in-laws for the weekend) but I wanted to poke my head in here and say hi. I’ve been a bit scattered this week (and the last!)
To stay calm…I breathe. Deep, full breaths.
Not sure how helpful that is, but that’s all I can come up with right now!
I like the idea of hiring a hitman. Know any good ones? : -}
@Valeska
Hi Valeska,
Fantastic advice Chick. I love where you’ve said “If I can, I try and plan a course of action to get me out of the less then desirable situation, but if all else fails I just try and laugh and keep going!” It’s so true. Sometimes there is literally nothing you can do and all that can be done is to dust yourself off, laugh and keep on trucking!
@Positively Present
Hi PP,
Using perspective can make a world of difference. It’s not like anyone has died. It’s just a couple of wheels falling off and in the big scheme of things, it really isn’t in the slightest bit earth shattering.
@Chania Girl
Hey there CG,
Cracked up at your suggestion of throwing ice cubes in the tub! Now that’s thinking laterally. I’m totally going to give it a try.
So true re letting go of the frustration and anger part. Chris is much better at that than I am, although I am learning from him. We’re actually in the dealing with it part now and it has helped alleviate the high emotion big time. Now it’s a matter of just getting on with each step and making decisions as we go. And YES, it definitely helped! Thanks heaps!
@Kirwin
Hey K,
Yep, there was quite a bit of deep breathing going on over here and not of the fun kind let me tell you! Nonetheless, it does really help as does your advice. Thanks for dropping by (I know things have been busy for you) – it’s appreciated! xxx
@Chick J
Hey Chick J,
Lucky for the car salesman and his pootang mechanic, I don’t.
I’d have the same reaction, honestly. I’m trying to be less reactive and hot-headed, but sometimes it’s a challenge. So I appreciate the tips and perspective.
In this particular situation, I’d do two things:
1) Complain to the manager. This got me a lot of free stuff from the dealership when my ex purchased a less than stellar vehicle.
2) Learn from the mistake. Unfortunately, it was avoidable – which sucks, I know. But at least you know not to do it again.
Veronica
http://www.drrussbuss.com
@Veronica
Hi Veronica,
Great tips. Thanks. I probably would have tried number 1 but we already had an altercation with the manager when we bought the vehicle so wasn’t keen to deal with him again. Number 2 is so true. We now know that an inspection is still needed even if you are buying from a car yard. Damn my trusting nature!