The Amazingly Stupendous Do-Over

Remember the “do-over” in childhood? Often applied to a “too close to call” play in a childhood game, do-overs were often used liberally by kids who hated to lose.

Lucy called for a do-over this morning. She woke up early and crabby (or as I like to call her, “sensitive.”) She was touch-and-go about everything. The day ahead was looking like it was going to be an inevitably rough series of battles. I decided to take her out with me to run a few quick errands, just to get her out and change the scenery. On the way home from our short adventures, I looked in my rearview mirror to find a cashed kid, hugging her favorite pal, Curious George. After transferring her into the crib, she ended up sleeping for another two hours.

To my delight, she woke up cheery, playful and ready for a fun rest of the day.

What a great use of the do-over!

As I thought about her ability to restart fresh after her nap, I thought, why don’t we bring the do-over back into our lives as grown-ups?! There seems to be plenty of opportunities. It just might be a playful way to help change the course of an Adultitis-ridden day. Here are a few examples of when calling a “do-over” will really work…

• You woke up late and ended up snapping at your spouse for something stupid, just because of the added stress of having to rush. Calling a do-over will give you the chance to start the interaction over — without the drama and attitude. It’s a new way to ask for the apology.
• Work is hectic. The piles are overwhelming and you’ve started to feel like there’s no end in sight. Call a do-over by taking a spontaneous break of some sort: go for a walk around the block, play a joke on a co-worker, eat lunch outside in the grass, or make a quick phone call to a friend who makes you smile. You’ll come back to your desk refreshed and refocused — guaranteed.
• You’ve been distracted lately when you’re with your kids. There’s so much on your mind and it’s hard to be in the moment with them. They require so much energy that you honestly just don’t have. Jump start your shift in perspective by taking 15 minutes of quiet time to yourself. Breathe deep and think about the people in your life who are struggling with health issues or a financial crisis. Count your blessings. Once you’re feeling revived, call a do-over by taking your kids on a pajama run.
• It’s been embarrassingly long since you and your sweetheart went out on a date. Schedules being busy, the weeks pass without much thought of it. Call a do-over by arranging for a sitter, making a dinner reservation and taking a stand against boring and/or dry relationships by adding a little goofiness to the evening. Announce the do-over during your meal and recommit to one another that busyness should not stand in the way of your relationship.

Those are just a few opportunities for the ever useful childhood staple known as the do-over; take advantage of one today!