Tigger or Eeyore: Who Are You Showing Up As?

I recently scored a free “adventure pass” from the library for a local museum. It was a niche spot with minimal interactive displays, a hyper-specific subject matter that my children cared little about, and a “waste of time” warning from a friend. Still, I grabbed it. It’s an iconic landmark in the city I’ve called home for twenty years, I’d never been—and, most importantly, it was free.

My children were less than enthralled by this Spring Break itinerary. However, since I still hold the power over their schedules (and I was armed with Cheetos and sour gummy worms), they reluctantly obliged.

As we walked through the doors of this “waste of time,” I posed a question: “Who are you going to be today? Tigger or Eeyore?”

My oldest surprised me with an enthusiastic, “Tigger!” Yes! My middle child settled into his role as Eeyore. My youngest, ever the pragmatist, replied, “It depends on the museum.”

“No!” I countered. “It doesn’t matter. You get to pick who you want to be. Eeyore assumes everything is doubtfully good and acts like a bump on a log, but Tigger makes everything fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!”

She insisted her mood depended on the experience, while I insisted she had power over her day. The more I study healthy mindsets and personal growth, the more that theme resonates: Take control of your own mind. Be aware of your feelings, but own your responses. As a wise teacher once said, “Don’t let the moment define your day.”

How many times have I lost myself in a disappointment? I’ve frequently allowed a single setback to dictate my emotional state for hours. I spin tales of “what ifs,” anxiously dissecting what others might be thinking of me. In those moments, I become consumed by a projection that rarely reflects reality.

I’ve since learned to lean into negative feelings and befriend them. I name them: “Hello, Disappointment, I see you’ve come to visit today.” I listen to what he has to tell me, and then I bid him adieu. I absorb the message, then take it to someone I love; conversation helps me discern if Disappointment’s message was actually worth keeping.

By taking Wisdom’s advice, I must willfully choose how I show up. I don’t have to let frustrations, criticisms, or mistakes turn me into a fun-sucking Eeyore, draining the life out of the room. I can acknowledge the weight, set it aside momentarily, and choose to be the bouncy Tigger.

For the record? All three children ended up having a blast—even the one who dubbed himself Eeyore.