The Log Cabin Moment: When Growth Gets Muddy

Well, what do you know.

I said I might continue writing about what I experienced at the seminar—and boy, do I have things to talk about.

One of the follow-up elements is a 30-day program that invites us to:

• Write down our positive affirmation each and every day.
  (As we say in German, “Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein,” which loosely translates to “little by little, the bird builds its nest.”)

• Read our “because” list, 20+ reasons why our affirmation is true, adding daily wins and validations.

• Set three simple goals that align with our affirmation.

• Visualize the “happy version” of ourselves once all this has manifested.

Sounds straightforward enough, right? But I’m finding the goal-setting part surprisingly tricky.

What goals can I set to help myself feel worthy of respect, joy, and happiness? Am I overthinking this?

Day 1

• Say no when I need to

• Have fun

• Stand up for my needs

I never came back to check these off, but I do remember having fun—so that’s a win.

Day 2

• Tell seminar leaders the rooms are too small for large emotional exercises

• Research restaurant for return trip (done—the pizza was great)

• Take a chance to speak publicly (also done, I survived. Actually it really wasn't bad.)

I didn’t get to do the first one, but I did something else courageous instead: I opted out of something that felt like pressure.

Near the end of the seminar, the tone shifted. There were a lot of marketing moments—previews of future seminars, a flip chart auction (for charity, yes, but still took up a whole hour), and finally, a form asking us to recommend at least two people to attend the next seminar.

I froze. I wasn’t sure I wanted to lend my name as a wholehearted endorsement. And the demand itself felt... pushy. Would someone notice if I left my form blank?

Time to show my colors.

In the space meant for names, I wrote:

“I don’t feel comfortable doing so and feel pushed. Therefore, I allow myself not to participate here. Thanks for understanding.”

What a brilliant opportunity to say no! 

Day 3 (Back home)

• Create a design for my affirmation (done—see yesterday’s post)

• Revisit the topic of “to-go neutralization” (postponed to the next day)

• Develop sample sentences for saying no (also postponed, but I did write yesterday’s post instead)

Day 4 (Today)

• Get coffee ☕ ✅

• Catch up on “to-go neutralization”  ✅

• Watch The Rookie with Colin ✅

• Find guided meditations related to my affirmation  ✅

And guess what? It’s not even noon, and I’ve already achieved all four. Yes, four! Call me an overachiever.

You might think “get a bag of whole beans” sounds more like a to-do list item than self-care. 

But here’s the thing: My affirmation says my needs matter, I deserve joy, and Starbucks whole beans are my go-to. I had to do without them during my hotel stay, and visiting a Starbucks store—where I once worked and felt truly valued—evokes that “home away from home” feeling for me.

Even though I was cozy in my PJs and fluffy socks, I got dressed and headed out early, before the forecasted rain and thunderstorms hit, parked farther away on purpose to walk through the park and soak in the smell of spring. And it was glorious.

Then, plot twist:

As I walked into the store, the barista greeted me with, “I can’t sell you anything. The cash register system is down.”

Cue my inner Karen.

Having worked for SBUX, I know the basics—eye contact, a warm greeting, a touch of empathy. 

But I reminded myself: one of my seminar goals was to not get overly annoyed. And guess what, we got tools for moments like this.

To-Go Neutralization Tools (aka Mindset Reset):

• Reframe the moment, they said. What can I learn or experience here, they said.
  Well, I did get to sit down, breathe in the wonderful smell of coffee - coffee someone had clearly brewed for themselves, not for paying customers like me - use the free Wi-Fi, text a seminar buddy about my “log cabin moment,” and wish a former classmate a happy birthday.

  But honestly? I sat there slightly stewing. Who exactly was drinking that freshly brewed coffee if the system was supposedly down? And did it really not occur to anyone to look for solutions, like to just write down my order on a piece of paper and let me pay cash? Ever heard of manual transactions, people? 

• Take an 8-minute timeout. I didn’t need to cool down, but ironically, the fix took 15 minutes, so I got two of those timeouts for free.

• Tell yourself: “I could get terribly upset about this—but I’m not obliged to.” (Still working on this one.)

• Ask neutral questions and truly listen. That said, resisting sarcasm can be... challenging.

• Use a mental film clapboard. Imagine a fresh take, a do-over.

• Ask yourself: Even if this person seems difficult, what 10% of their behavior might actually help me? (Example: maybe not caring what others think, being more assertive?)

So, what is a “log cabin moment”?

Here’s the story they told us:

A young, ambitious manager is advised to decompress before an important presentation. She books a secluded log cabin with no distractions—no electricity, no hot water, no Wi-Fi. Just nature and peace.

But things go south. Rain pours. The road turns muddy. She has to haul her luggage through a forest. She hits her head on a branch. The cabin door won’t open. She ends up breaking it down and hurting her shoulder. Inside: no firewood. She’s miserable.

Why? Because she forgot her goal: rest and restoration. She let circumstances dictate her mood.

Now imagine someone else in her shoes. Grateful for the SUV that made it through the mud, aware she packed tools that could open a wooden door, noticing the cozy blankets, candles, and that the firewood was actually there, just take a closer look!

Same situation. Different mindset.

One sip of coffee at a time. 

The seminar might be over, but the real work begins now. It’s in the tiny, everyday moments: standing up for yourself, saying no, choosing joy, seeing the good, that the affirmations take root.

My “log cabin moment” today wasn’t about some wild urge to go off the grid. Please. I’m a city girl. Power outlets and plumbing are non-negotiable. Voluntarily heading somewhere without electricity or running water? Not in this lifetime. I literally said it at the seminar: Why freeze your butt off in some moss-covered shack when you could be lounging at the Krallerhof Hotel? 

Fluffy alpacas you can visit via a charming pebble path (in sneakers, not hiking boots). A breakfast buffet curated by actual professionals. Hot showers on demand. Rustic fantasies are cute - until you remember compost toilets are real.

What I actually wanted today was simple: My bag of coffee beans and a quiet, undisturbed moment in the store. Just me, the smell of coffee, and a little pause before the rest of the day. 

I was this close to missing that peaceful scene.

Instead, it nearly unraveled. Not because of some dramatic crisis, but because of a glitch in the system and a barista who didn’t seem all that interested in helping a customer. Not exactly the end of the world, and technically no one’s fault. But still. if you work in hospitality, maybe try being... hospitable?

What would your version of a “log cabin moment” be? A time when everything went wrong, but you later realized your mindset could have changed the whole experience?