Four simple words can make a big difference sometimes. For instance, there’s a simple yet effective mantra I’ve read about lately for dealing with life’s frustrations and irritations. I give you, “Chill The Fuck Out.”
The caveat though, is to make this your own personal mantra and not go around telling people to chill the fuck out like somebody who needs to chill the fuck out. It should be an internal check of sorts — like reminding ourselves to not to get all bitchy when people are trying to cash in 50 damn lottery tickets and we left our kids in the car while we ran into 7-11 "real quick."
As an experiment last weekend, I tried it out. I went with some friends to see Dark Star Orchestra at Jannus Landing.The place was packed and I’m not a fan of big crowds where you have to squeeze between people, arms all T-Rexing while you try not to spill your drink, but Drunky Mcfriend #1 grabbed one of our group member’s hand and next thing you know we’re a chain of five women cutting through the middle of the crowd to get up closer to the band. I hate that shit, but — “chill the fuck out,” I told myself.
We ended up in a decent spot. Still, it was a hassle to get out of there and back again for things like fresh beers and pee breaks, but I reminded myself to chill the fuck out a few more times. Finally I did chill the fuck out, and I ended up having a blast.
If everyone could keep these words in their back pocket when they’re feeling anxious, angry, frustrated, or helpless about matters that aren’t that important in the grand scheme, we could eliminate a lot of problems. Things like road rage, jealousy, and that thing when your fast food order is wrong but you don’t realize it until you get home, could all be easily smoothed over if we’d remind ourselves to chill the fuck out.
Maybe I’m oversimplifying, but nay, y’all. Methinks not. Our reasonableness is often hijacked by our feelings, and unchecked emotion can get us into a lot of trouble. More times than not, in hindsight we probably wish we would’ve just chilled the fuck out about something — but it’s too late, and now we’re not allowed back at Mastry’s.
So, I propose we all take the “Chill the Fuck Out Challenge.” It’s so easy to let ourselves be pissy, but we ain’t gotta. Make it your mantra for one day, anytime you start to feel the Dark Side seducing your mental state, and see how you feel about things. Then report back and tell us how chilling the fuck out probably saved your relationship. You’re welcome.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2016.