Full disclosure – today’s post is just for fun. OK, you’re right – fun is important for team cohesion, stress relief, and for mental wellbeing, so today’s newsletter might be useful, too.
And it’s mainly for fun, and yes, there’s a prize involved!
Do you love Halloween? I love Halloween – always have. Mom made our costumes because she loved Halloween, too. My two brothers and I were all sorts of craziness as we headed off to school on costume day, and as soon as I was old enough, I helped Mom with the make-up and accessories. There was that one year when I was sent home because my I Dream of Jeanie outfit was deemed too risqué for 5th grade, so I put on a pink t-shirt under the top, tucked it into the harem pants, and went right back and won a prize in the costume contest.
Fast-forward to adulthood, when Halloween got even more fun when the candy came with a side of adult beverages and semi-suggestive fun. (Yes, the leopard costume was a hit that one year with the hottest gorilla…I mean guy!) I loved decorating the driveway, sidewalk, and front of the house in the neighborhood where tons of kids rang the bell, answering the door as Little Red Riding Hood, my two grey and white Siberian Huskies leashed to me and playing twin Big Bad Wolves. So fun for the kids, the dogs and me. There was that year I had to fill in at work, so I left the big bowl of candy on the porch, along with a big, decorated sign asking the kids to take a piece or two and leave some for the next kids. My neighbors said there was a steady stream of little ghouls and superheroes and princesses to the bowl most of the night, so the sign apparently did its job well.
Take some time today to think about Halloweens past in your own life – is there a common thread or theme for your most memorable costumes? Did you go sexy, scary, or superhero in your favorite ones? Which side are you happiest on – going trick or treating or answering the door and seeing all the trick or treaters? Do you go all-out with your decorations, or do you shut off the porch light and curl up with a scary book? No matter what you do for Halloween, this holiday is a good reminder to not take ourselves too seriously, and to also honor the little voice inside that cries out for recognition. The Wellbeing Wisdom Tiny Bites podcast (the world’s second-shortest podcast at 90 seconds or less per episode) can help you with that, though probably not with your costume!
Want to let your emotional flag fly? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Do you need a nudge to be your true self? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Like the Cowardly Lion, do you need more courage? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Yes, that’s me in the picture, and can you guess what I was that year? I won a costume contest with that outfit, and here are two clues for you: yes, “witch” is part of it, and the full name is a pun. Send me your guesses by email or text and I’ll let you know if you get it right. PS…there could be a prize involved.
Ready…go, and have a fun Halloween!