The Power of a Pause: Do This When Life Disappoints You

Hey, it's Mel, and you're listening to the Mel Robbins Podcast. As you can probably tell, I don't sound like myself today.
I wish I could tell you that my voice is an octave lower because I've been out having an amazing time all night, but that is not the case. I am actually pretty sick.

I'm going to be fine. I'll be over this in a couple days, but I woke up Sunday and I felt like a pack of elephants had walked across my chest.
And, you know, here's the thing. I promised to take you into my life on the Mel Robbins podcast in real time.
And sometimes life imitates art. And sometimes life is honestly a gigantic pain in the ass.
And this week happens to be one of those weeks where life is a gigantic pain in the ass. But one of the things that I've learned is that whenever something doesn't meet your expectations, instead of getting all twisted around the axle about it, just stop, put yourself in pause and ask yourself, what is this moment trying to teach you? I mean, I didn't mean to get sick.
So now that I am sick, and now that I've had to not only cancel a podcast recording, but cancel an entire week of travel for work, and I was supposed to do a big photo shoot for a project that I have with Audible that is releasing in January. So there are going to be 35 people at a warehouse in New York.
What is this moment trying to teach me? And I had to laugh because I realized we recently had a conversation on this podcast called How to Let Go. In fact, if you haven't listened to it, you're going to love it.
It is a Spotify most shared episode on the entire platform. And today, as I sit here and I contemplate, what is the lesson in being knocked on my rear end by being sick and having to just stop? What is the lesson? Well, I'm being forced to take my own advice.
In real time, I'm having to let go. I'm having to let go of the plans for this week.
I'm having to let go of the episode I wanted to record for you, which is amazing. We've been working on it.
We'll get to it. But I've got to let go of it happening this week.
I have to let go of the fact that I was supposed to be giving a speech. I was supposed to be seeing my daughters in California.
I'm just getting upset because I realized I really wanted to see my daughters, but I have to let go of it. I can't.
I'm just too sick to go. So here I am.
I'm taking my own advice. And you know what? Sometimes it's hard.
And I know it's the same for you. Because you make all these plans and you get your expectations all jacked up and then some stupid cold or something happens and life kicks you in the ass.
and here's what I'm realizing that in addition to letting go

I'm going to use this tool that I often use

which I call putting yourself in pause. I just want you to do that with me right now.
As you could tell, the emotions are totally overwhelming, not only because I'm exhausted and I've been sick, but also because I'm really disappointed. I'm not going to spend the weekend with my daughters.
And I'm going to put myself in pause and I want you to do this with me right now. Just stop for a second, okay? close your eyes unless you're driving put your hand on your heart

and let's take a deep breath.

Just be still for a moment. Take another deep breath.
there's power in the pause and look the pause isn't going to change what's going on in your life right now but every time you put yourself in pause you become a little bit more equipped to handle it I think you can hear that I'm starting to gain a little bit of steadiness in my voice. The deep breath helped me come back into my body instead of letting those emotions and the sadness and the fatigue overwhelm me.
So today I want you to remember you can put yourself in pause whenever you need it. Just repeat that mindful moment that we shared together.
And if someone that you know is sick like me, or they're running on overdrive, which means they're about to become sick like me, or if they just need the reminder to slow down, to take a breath, to put themselves in pause for just a second, and gather their strength so they can face whatever they're facing and carry on. Please share this message with them.
And oftentimes, it's your friends that look like they got it all together that not only need your support, they need the reminder that it's okay to take a break. And in fact, they deserve one.
Now, I'm going to be on the couch all day with my cat, Mr. Noodle.
I'm going to be taking a big, long pause. And here's my promise.
I'll be back to you very soon. And in the meantime, if you want more tools for making your life calmer, simpler, and happier, go listen to the episode, How to Let Go, Two Simple Ways to Find Clarity and Move On.
And one more thing, in case no one else tells you, let me be the one to tell you that I love you, I believe in you, and your ability to create a better life.

And part of that means learning how to slow down, put yourself in pause, take a breath, and gather your strength.

And after you take that pause, and you're truly ready to reconnect, you know exactly where to find me.

Right here, on the very next episode of the Mel Robbins podcast.

Just waiting to connect with you.

Stitcher.