Unfortunately for us, life doesn’t come with a manual. So we often look to others to help us navigate the tricky bits.
And sure, you COULD seek advice from a trained professional, like a psychiatrist, or a counselor, or a 100-year-old ancient guru…
…OR you could just ask a 5-year-old.
In a Twitter thread that has gone viral, user @EPrecipice (aka Stressie Bessie) shares 7 pieces of worldly wisdom her 5-year-old son gave her, and honestly, I think I just found my new life coach.
Gwenyth T was casually chatting about her upcoming day with her 5-year-old son on the way to school drop-off when she mentioned that she was feeling a little nervous about a meeting she had later that day.
But lucky for her, her son Clark had her back. He knew just what she needed to do to calm those pesky nerves.
And lucky for us, Gwenyth had our backs and dropped his pearls of wisdom on Twitter. And they are PRICELESS.
She wrote:
“When talking about our agendas for the day, I told my 5yo I was a little nervous about a meeting I have today.
He said, ‘Mama, I am nervous all the time. I know what to do.’
So friends, here is all the advice he could fit into the drive to school:”
Prepare to take notes.
According to Clark, the first step to finding inner peace is with daily affirmations. Stuart Smalley would approve.
#1: You gotta say your affirmations in your mouth and your heart. You say, ‘I am brave of this meeting!’ , ‘I am loved!’, ‘I smell good!’ And you can say five or three or ten until you know it.”
1. “You gotta say your affirmations in your mouth and your heart. You say, ‘I am brave of this meeting!’ , ‘I am loved!’, ‘I smell good!’ And you can say five or three or ten until you know it.”
— StressieBessie (@EPrecipice) January 25, 2022
However, it’s not just what you say that counts. How you act matters too. This brings us to his second piece of advice…
#2: Fake it ’til you make it.
“You gotta walk big. You gotta mean it. Like Dolly on a dinosaur. Because you got it.”
And by Dolly, he means THE Dolly. As in Dolly Parton.
Gwenyth tells Mashable that Clark is a huge fan and lately he’s been into “Here You Come Again,” but “he also is quite partial to ‘Jolene’ and ‘Tennessee Mountain Home’.”
So be like Dolly. On a dinosaur. Because she’s GOT IT. And so do you.
#3: Never put a skunk on a bus.
I have no idea what this has to do with being nervous (except maybe reinforcing the affirmation, “I smell good!”) but who cares! It’s still good advice. And your fellow commuters (and probably the skunk) will appreciate it.
3. “Never put a skunk on a bus.”
— StressieBessie (@EPrecipice) January 25, 2022
#4: “Think about the donuts of your day! Even if you cry a little, you can think about potato chips!”
Because let’s face it, donuts and potato chips make everything better, amirite? And I’m assuming that when he references “the donuts of your day” he means all the good stuff that happened.
And even if your co-worker forgot it was his turn to bring the donuts and there are no donuts that day (metaphorically speaking) it’s okay! There’s always potato chips!
#5: “You gotta take a deep breath and you gotta do it again.”
If this isn’t the most useful piece of advice ever, I don’t know what is.
5. “You gotta take a deep breath and you gotta do it again.”
— StressieBessie (@EPrecipice) January 25, 2022
#6: “Even if it’s a yucky day, you can get a hug.”
Hugs ALWAYS make things better. It’s science. Research published in the journal Psychological Science reveals that hugs have a number of positive effects both physically and psychologically.
Hugs stimulate dopamine or the “happy hormone.” They also release serotonin and endorphins which induce feelings of pleasure and produce sensations of tranquility, wellness, and calm.
So go ahead, hug it out. You’ll be happy you did.
#7: Extra addition from this afternoon: “Don’t get distracted and your feet will stay on the sidewalk and not too full of snow.”
Which, if I’m being honest, I really could have used earlier today while I was attempting to text AND walk. Let’s just say, it didn’t go so well.
Extra addition from this afternoon: “Don’t get distracted and your feet will stay on the sidewalk and not too full of snow.”
— StressieBessie (@EPrecipice) January 25, 2022
Not only is Clark arguably the most adorable kid ever, but his advice is also pretty bang on, begging the question, does he do zoom sessions? If so, count me in.
Who IS this kid and is he available for Zoom sessions?
— Jaybird (@Jboid61) January 26, 2022
Gwenyth isn’t really surprised by her son’s sage advice. She describes him as a sweet, sensitive kid:
“He’s a sweet, sensitive kid. An only child who is just very verbal, very chatty. Just him and me talking all the time. Very smart. Emotionally aware.”
Based on his words of wisdom alone I’d say he’s probably more emotionally aware than most adults I know.
So next time you’re feeling a little nervous, whip out a page from Clark’s book and repeat after me, “I am brave of this (fill in the blank)”. Also, don’t put a skunk on a bus.
You can check out the full Twitter thread here:
When talking about our agendas for the day, I told my 5yo I was a little nervous about a meeting I have today. He said, “Mama, I am nervous all the time. I know what to do.” So friends, here is all the advice he could fit into the drive to school:
— StressieBessie (@EPrecipice) January 25, 2022