Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
I have been in a shitty mood lately. And I’m not afraid to admit that. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Overworked. Overtired. Over it. It’s easy to think that the cure to these problems is just hunkering down and focusing in on the things that stress us, but really, that’s not always the medicine we need. For me, the medicine I often need is a total distraction. A total escape from whatever bullshit my brain is choosing to wake me up at 3:30 in the morning stressing about.
If you’re like me and you want to escape into total childlike glee, give these things a try this weekend:
1. Skip a real meal and eat all your favorite desserts for one meal.
Pie. Ice cream. Cake. Whipped topping. Sprinkles. Chocolate chips. Cookies. Candy Bars. Or if you’re more of the salty type: Chips. Pretzels. Fries.
2. Rent a Vespa scooter and tour your city in a new way.
A day rental is most cities is only about $50 and I truly recommend taking a training course first to make sure you won’t injure yourself or anyone else. But, if you’re quick to learn and even just a little bit brave - this is the kind of thing that will lift the adrenaline and make you feel totally free. Wind in your hair. Sun in your eyes. Nothing but road ahead.
3. Binge Bee and PuppyCat on YouTube. Twice.
Do I need to explain this? I guess I do. It’s silly. It’s colorful. It’s like being high on catnip, human style. I really can’t explain it more perfectly than that.
4. Go volunteer to play with kittens at the animal shelter.
Perhaps I’m just kind of obsessed with cats of all kinds, but most animal shelters and humane societies need people to come brush kittens, play with kittens and be nice to kittens. After spending your morning binging Puppycat, you’ll be working very hard not to bring home your own leather jacket lusting furry companion.
5. Engage in a glittery craft project and don’t worry about the damn mess.
Glitter will make you feel like a child. It’s impossible to control. It’s best used in crazy whips of joy and silliness. It’s generally unimportant what you do with it - as long as you enjoy the process.
6. Invent an all new pancake recipe. Including the toppings!
You know what makes me feel like I’m a kid again? Thinking about how my parents used to make pancakes or french toast every Sunday morning before church. So maybe you don’t have that memory. But if you have a similar one, I recommend getting the basic ingredients for pancakes and going wild. Blueberry white chocolate with almonds and cinnamon. YUM. Bacon siracha and peanut sauce. SALTY.
7. Organize a late night Skype session with all your best friends and agree to each bring a bottle of wine and a juicy bit of girly gossip about your sex life.
Most of my best friends live in different cities from me. I truly believe that spending time with the people we love makes us all happier. We laugh more. We smile more. We relax more. So if you need to, you should organize a Skype date. Just make sure you have a naughty agenda.
8. Go skydiving.
I tried this for the first time last month with my mom and I have to admit, I had no idea what to expect. I knew I should be a little scared, but mostly, I was anxious to know how it would FEEL. And you know how it feels? Freaking ridiculous and insane and invigorating and giggly and wooooooooot.
9. Get an artful manicure with a crazy pattern.
As a girl boss, I always get boring manicures. Solid colors. The occasional glitter. When I’m feeling crazy, I’ll get two colors or a stripe. Well, here’s a fun idea: go get the words: LOVE HATE on your nails. Or little smiley faces. Or peace signs. Get rainbow colors on every nail. Just do what your 5 year old self would do.
10. Be naked. All day.
Have you ever just hung out in your apartment naked all day. I have. And it’s damn liberating. It reminds me of being a child, because as a little girl, I hated my uncomfortable tights and itchy sweaters. Now as an adult, I still hate it, but I have a ton more patience with clothing, in general. Going without clothing is like channeling my teeny self all over again.
What makes you feel childlike glee?
