It’s been a long, hard day.

You picked up the phone at work and got the brunt of someone’s anger that wasn’t even your fault.

Your special someone is working late. (Again!!)

There was an accident on the way home and you were late picking up your kid from soccer.

You get the other kid from the sitter. Then you get home and stare at the kitchen, feeling overwhelmed: you forgot to defrost the chicken for dinner.

A voice in your head tells you, “Forget your healthy dinner. Just go get McDonalds.”

“No,” you tell yourself.

“I can find something.”

You rummage through the cupboards, freezer, and fridge, trying to find something that fits within your idea of a healthy dinner.

Alas, nothing.

“It’s fine; go grab fast food. You had a hard day. Once won’t hurt.”

“No; I can go to the store and get a rotisserie chicken”

“But that would take too long! You\’ve had a hard day. You deserve this. It will make you feel better.”

Before you know it, you and the kids are loaded up in the van and are heading to your favorite fast food joint.

It doesn’t just have to be food. It can be alcohol, cigarettes, or just zoning out on your phone instead of being present.

It can be yelling at your kids, ignoring your housework, giving in to isolationism, or even pornography or gambling.

Whatever it is, you are working outside of your value system.

And it all started with a hard emotion: overwhelm.

So, what do you do about it? I’m here to help. I’ve put together a 7-day challenge on my social media that will teach you how to identify your core values, how to tell when your emotions are running away with you, and what to do about it. As you practice these tools, you will be able to become your best self.

Find me on Facebook and Instagram starting March 1st to follow along.