How do you handle Disappointment?

 

This past weekend was another big disappointment for me. For the second month in a row I missed out on the local trade days. It was supposed to be my big weekend! My moment of triumph! My chance to contribute to my family!

And it sooooo didn’t happen :(

Every thing was going perfectly! I was organized. I remembered business cards. I even had bags for customers to their purchases in. Mule even got home from work on time ( a real rarity around here), we loaded up and headed to the market grounds.

We pulled up to the office where we were supposed to check in. I was new to all this and didn’t realize that I needed my purse with me (the one thing I left at home!). So I ran into the office, begged to be allowed in and explained that I’d come back as soon as Mule could get my purse. I got a little lecture, but was given grace and allowed in.

Meanwhile, Mule was in the truck with all the stuff, reading a sign that was posted about requirements for vendors. I finished in the office and hopped back in the truck excited to get set up. Mule looked at me and said “Honey, you don’t have a vendor’s permit do you?”

Nope. I didn’t. I had no idea one was required. I started to freak out… surely its not that big of a deal I told him. He wasn’t convinced… so he went into the office to talk to the lady from the city. It was a big deal. If you set up with out a permit the city could and WOULD fine you $5.000 and even possibly throw you in jail. I couldn’t believe it! When I called to inquire about a booth, I asked the city employee what I needed to get one… I was told $20 and my name was all that was required. So needless to say, I had no idea a vendor permit was required. Obviously we weren’t going to risk those kind of penalties, so Mule turned the truck around and drove us back home.

Even now writing this I’m fighting tears and I remember the feeling of utter defeat. I was beyond consoling, and the poor man tried. I’ve put so much time and money into building up inventory. I was counting on the money from the sales I was going to make. I had pretty much already spent it in my mind. The money was going to go towards getting the fabric I need to make my wedding dress and the rest to Christmas.

Even though I didn’t know about the vendor permit, I felt like I let my family down. I had deviated from our standard budget in order to get some extra supplies and needed items for the weekend. I felt like a complete failure. It took me most of the day, large pot of coffee more than a little chocolate and a good, long cry to deal with the disappointment and frustration.

I got some sympathetic and consoling texts from a few friends and they helped pull me out of my funk. One friend told me to go on pinterest, find something new and make myself something. So I did! And I started to get my mojo back.

I got a whole bunch of things from my Christmas list made and ready to send back home. I got editing done that I originally wasn’t going to be able to touch until Monday done. And I even did some cleaning!

I handle every disappointment differently, with the exception of one element… Time. It takes me time to be able to process things and move forward. Sometimes I can bounce back in minutes and sometimes it takes days. Some disappointments involve retail therapy and some unfortunate amounts of chocolate. But I am learning how to handle these moments of disappointment and move on from them quicker. Life is about learning and sometimes its about learning how to cope.

That was my weekend… I hope yours was much better!