Both-And: An Exercise for Holding the Crappy and the Happy [episode 91]
Listen to Both-And: An Exercise for Holding the Crappy and the Happy on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice
Back in 2011, Tom and I were deep in what I call “roommate mode.” We weren’t connecting, tension was high, and we had just welcomed our first baby. It was a HARD season, but thankfully, not where we are today!
One of the tools that helped me back then was something I called “joy journaling,” where I wrote down one good thing from each day. While I don’t really do this anymore, it was exactly what I needed at the time.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing an exercise for holding the crappy and the happy, because life is often BOTH. It’s called the “fart and the flower” exercise! It’s such a great way to name the hard and the good, all in one breath.
And no, this exercise isn’t just for kids, either. I’ve used it myself in some of my hardest seasons (i.e., during my breast amputation recovery a few months ago).
This practice is all about emotional honesty and balance. It’s a way to remind yourself that you’re allowed to feel both the crappy and the happy (simple acknowledgement and awareness is key here), and that naming the hard doesn’t cancel out the good.
I’d love to hear how you incorporate this into YOUR daily routine, and how it goes for you!
In this episode, Both-And: An Exercise for Holding the Crappy and the Happy, I cover:
- Why focusing only on the “good” can backfire
- The “fart and the flower” exercise for balancing the hard AND the happy
- Easy ways to weave the “fart and the flower” practice into your daily routines
- Why it’s all about simple, low-pressure acknowledgment (not “forced” gratitude)
Resources & Links:
- Download your free guide to Handling Hard Conversations!
- Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
- Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
- Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting
Connect with Terryn:
- Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
- Check out my website
- Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com
Related Episodes:
- Episode 5: Fostering Joy in the Everyday
- Episode 43: My Mind-Blowing Realization About Emotions
- Episode 62: The Hard Truth About Emotions: You Gotta Feel Them All
More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:
In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.
It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow, or a pair to move out in a certain direction and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.
Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.
We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and approach, and communicate with each differently.
These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.
The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.
Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.
Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.
We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.
Tune in every Tuesday and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!
