A Dog’s Life #5: ‘When the day after is better than the night before.’
I am Nora Stolz, tech entrepreneur, positive psychology coach for executives and entrepreneurs and Vinyasa Yoga teacher. I live with my almost 6-month old Cavapoo puppy in Marylebone, Central London. In my column ‘A Dog’s Life’ I write about our urban adventures and what I learn about human interactions and society thanks to my four-legged fur baby.
#5: ‘When the day after is better than the night before.’
I was planning to write another article about Harriet and my life with her — but I was busy with IWD 2020 (yes, Harriet’s first International Women Day and she got a lot of publicity for that too). And then, right after the most important day of the year for every woman, the market crashed on Monday, 9 March and the reality of a pandemic became clear — it even reached the United Kingdom. Surprise! So now we are living in fairly depressive times and as a result I decided to make even more effort to deliver happiness and positivity to the people I love and care about, their friends and the friends of these friends.
The way how I write articles is, that I start with collecting the themes. I have post-its with real-life-Harriet-wisdom-stories stuck to my kitchen cupboard. If you must know, these post-its are on the cupboard next to the one that carries motivational messages like
‘Do one thing every day that scares you’ by Eleanor Roosevelt
and ‘Drink more h2o’, and ‘Hell, yes you can’. Needless to say, my little singleton flat is not well-equipped to accept visitors without redecorating the place. I just figure most men would probably try to leave as soon as they discovered a ample pile of motivation and happiness theory books; if they ever make it to the kitchen the post-it would drive them over the edge. Believe me! I know that because my in-fridge freezer door has the label ‘Mission: Possible’ and I don’t think any man made it to that door — ever.
So one of the post-its with ‘A Dog’s Life’ column theme is about Harriet’s first groomer appointment.
In life there are only a few things when ‘The day after is better than the night before.’ — Just watch the news headlines.
But exceptionally — almost like a black swan event — there are cases when the day after is actually better than the day before.
In Harriet’s case, it certainly was the groomer’s appointment. Don’t get me wrong, they did a terrific job. Every poodle would love that cut. Except that Harriet is a Cavapoo and half of her DNA rejects anything that looks like her dad. Evidence below.
No, I am not kidding. And I take the liberty to type what you think: Can this 80s porn-style dog actually be her dad, she is so cute? Yes it is! Please let me present: this is her sperm donor.
The only thing missing is a neon thong that would make him look — a little bit like my dad perhaps.
Another thing Harriet and I have in common: our dads are stuck in the 80s. But that’s another story.
The first haircut
So, I book Harriet for her first groomer’s appointment at a beautiful — fairly expensive — place in Marylebone. Great interior, highly ‘instagramable’, wonderful atmosphere; the luxury version of a first hair cut for my puppy. And as every parent will know, the first hair cut is preeeettttty special. It was the same for me. I was so nervous, I couldn’t stay — so I decided to use my new-found dog-freedom and enjoyed a s l o w grocery shop at my local Waitrose — without having to pretend Harriet is my assistance dog. It was marvellous! I even got a large pack of loo-roles. Can you imagine? Today, this would be the ultimate status symbol: carrying a 9 — pack of Andrex — the dark blue / purple ones — down the street!
After 1,5 hours the groomers called me to let me know Harriet is ready to be picked up. I remember I was speaking to my human mum as I was walking there, I probably wanted to share that special moment with someone who can perhaps even remember my own first haircut.
Either Harriet could see my face collapse or she suddenly started to understand German. As I looked at her and said:
“Mami mag dich trotzdem!’
(Mummy loves you nevertheless). Harriet looked ashamed, deeply and utterly ashamed. I could see it in her face, she looked so miserable. She refused to walk — I had to carry her home, while I was whispering into her soft freshly groomed ears: All shall be well! Despite having serious doubts myself.
You are still cute
Once at home, she barked into the mirror against her own image. She didn’t recognise herself. It was so sad to see. I tried to re-assure her, to give her hope. I told her, her fur will grow back in no time, I told her she is still cute, I told her other dogs won’t make fun of her and everyone is still going to be delighted to see her. Yet, I tried really hard to not let my own anxiety or fear come out. And in hindsight I realise, that’s what every parent and every good leader does.
I salute you today and always, if you are one of those leaders, who knows how to give faith and hope to people, and to unleash positive power from within in them.
The morning after
The next morning she woke up and she was all fluffy and teddy-bearish again. She looked into the mirror with out barking and that’s when I knew I had found the next theme: Rarely in life the day after is better than the night before, but with haircuts it often is the case. That’s why I am so faithful when it comes to Giuseppe, my wonderful Italian hairdresser based on HS Kensington. His recommendation was gifted to me by my ex-colleague Taraneh who I’ll be indebted forever as a result.
But the sharp witted of you will have noticed by now: wait a second, Nora. You said you found the topic a few weeks’ ago, then you got busy with IWD2020 and the C word that shall not be named, so what triggered you to finally put ‘brain to keyboard’ (aka the virtual pen to paper!)?
Well, many of you will know that I take my happiness seriously, and the happiness of the people around me. And what brings more joy on a Sunday afternoon than baking a
Home-made German sunken apple pie after my grandmother’s recipe
Yes, you are right: sharing half of the cake with friends; and eating half of the cake the next day for breakfast! Today, I figured out: there are at least two things I now discovered that are better ‘the day after than the night before’. The first one is haircuts, and the second one are home-made apple pies.
If you are worried about the future: make an apple pie! It’s the only known to predict happiness in the future.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy time, wherever you are: stay positive.
A big virtual hug and lots of love, Harriet’s Mum. xx
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P.S. If you like to add more happiness, gratitude and love into your life — here are your freeoptions:
- During these exception times, I give free Happiness Booster Virtual Group Coaching sessions. You can sign up for free crowdcast.io/norastolz
- Follow me on IG for daily Happy Habits stories instagram.com/happiness_with_nora
- Follow Harriet on IG for photos from her adventures and the odd video instagram.com/harriet_of_london
- If you are a women: join my WomenBreakfastClub online community on Facebook for free. Connect online with interesting positive women and follow my daily gratitude practice there. It’s my number 1 tip and it increases happiness drastically: facebook.com/groups/womenbreakfastclub
- Send me a WhatsApp and I will add you to a Mindfulness & Happiness WhatsApp Broadcast list. You’ll get 2–3 times a week a little voice clipping with a positive thought and moment to reflect. Please send me an email and that you’d like to be added to the list: hello@norastolz.com
- Reach out to me if you like to explore the powers of a personal happiness coach for yourself, your team, or your family. I’d be delighted to help as many people as possible to remain positive and grateful. hello@norastolz.com (fees apply)
(e) hello@norastolz.com (m) +44 759047 0078 (w) norastolz.com
