Janeane Bernstein Ed.D. - Get the Funk Out!: %^&* Happens, What to Do Next!

Advance Praise for Get the Funk Out!

Weve all been there. The falls and rises of growing up, making something of ourselves, entrepreneurism, and moreit all takes a toll on even the mentally strongest. I loved meeting Janeane Bernstein and reading her book Get the Funk Out!. The story is refreshing and real, and encourages us to own up and reach our full potentials.Winnie Sun, Wealth Whisperer, CNBC Financial Advisor Council, Forbes Contributor, Co-Founder of Sun Group Wealth Partners

Finally, a common sense approach to an all too common malady. Ms. Bernstein has assembled the tools to overcome our personal demons in words that are clear and concise. When I find a good book, I usually cant put it down but Get the Funk Out! demands time to absorb the inspirational stories and ponder the question of how faith can be so strong.Gary Pihl, former guitarist for Sammy Hagar and current member of the band Boston

I love this book! A radically transparent look that teaches us to face lifes hard knocksinstead of running awayand heal from the gifts that emerge from them. This is a bedside keeper to remind you that grass grows through concrete.Bryan E. Robinson, Ph.D., Psychotherapist and Author of #Chill: Turn Off Your Job and Turn On Your Life

The power of self-esteem is on full display in Get the Funk Out!. Janeane Bernstein pulls together an unlikely cast to write a prescription for dealing with lifes large and small challenges. Finding joy on the journey is possible, no matter how rocky the road.Richard M. Cohen, New York Times Bestselling Author of Blindsided and Strong at the Broken Places

Janeane has written a book that aims to help anyone navigating the funky pitfalls of life, illustrated with a wide assortment of anecdotes and her experienceall of it filled with humor and compassion.Kathy Valentine, Musician, Composer, and Writer

Janeane uses her own personal stories plus interviews with a variety of mental health professionals to explore lifes persistent funks. Personable and engaging, she shines a light on the darkness many face in everyday life, illuminating a way out.Vicki Peterson,founding member of The Bangles, Guitarist, Writer, and Singer

A POST HILL PRESS BOOK

ISBN: 978-1-64293-069-6

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-64293-070-2

Get the Funk Out!:

%^&* Happens, What to Do Next!

2019 by Janeane Bernstein, Ed.D.

All Rights Reserved

Cover Design by Tricia Principe, principedesign.com

Author Photo by Joanna DeGeneres

This book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare practitioner, such as your physician. Before you begin any healthcare program, or change your lifestyle in anyway, you should consult your physician or another licensed healthcare practitioner.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Post Hill Press

New York Nashville

posthillpress.com

Published in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.Bren Brown

I am an expert on funks. Okay, so that sounds a little cocky, but after far too many funks, we all feel like pros. While I am not a medical doctor, I have my own funk-busting strategies that have worked for me and just might work for you. Keep in mind, none of my personal stories shared in this book are meant to be about woe is me or Boo-hoo! My childhood sucked and I feel victimized. Well, at times it did really suck the life out of me, but I always felt things would get better. I was somehow blessed with a stay positive and strong mentality that has always been with me since I was a kid.

I am seriously so thankful for all the crap projected my way, all the times I had to switch into survival mode and put my big-girl pants on, and how I pushed through some of the worst experiences and fought through; it is hard to believe that my backstory is even part of my story. Too many great things have happened as a result of gobs of tears, hard work, rejection, disappointment, and the funkiness of my dysfunctional family.

At this point in my life, I consider myself bulletproof regarding any funky sh*t thrown my way. I first felt funks as a young child, as the daughter of two people who never should have married. I am honestly so thankful they separated when I was six months old, because I never lived with the anger and arguing. I just heard their battles over the phone and occasionally in person, but I managed to escape the messiness of their union because I was so young. Unfortunately, the ugliness revealed itself in the tumultuous custody battles, courtroom shenanigans, and weekend visits. I never once wished my parents would reunite, because I never knew life to be any different. I probably wished they lived in other countries or planets; that would have made life a whole lot easier, because they seemed to be from totally different worlds.

There is nothing more humbling than hearing other people share their personal stories of what broke them apart and how they built themselves back up. My own life seems like a cakewalk in comparison, and I am humbled by the openness and details I have been privy to on my radio show. Having a toolkit for facing your own funks can be a great way to tackle lifes rocky road, but being open to unexpected insights and advice from total strangers can be the best, most surprising gift of all.

Instead of running away from lifes assaults, sometimes it is best to look at challenges as learning moments. Face them head-on. At age eight, when I decided to swing from the kitchen cabinets, like Mowgli in The Jungle Book , I failed big time. I know. What a surprise. Man, I wish someone had videotaped this calamity! The cabinet door abruptly twisted off its hinges. What does this have to do with anything, you ask? My mother sent me to her therapist, because she thought I had anger issues. I had no idea what a therapist was, and what this person did, but I had no say in the matter, so off I went.

I didnt think of myself as an angry kid. I was bored and wanted to make emptying the dishwasher a little adventurous and a lot more fun, of course. Who knew I couldnt swing from one kitchen cabinet to another? Mowgli does it with ease in the movie. For all of you cabinetmakers reading this, theres the future of cabinetmaking. Get your kids to empty the damn dishwasher when you install swinging doors! You know, I might even learn to love emptying the dishwasher if I could swing like Mowgli! Great idea, right? Youre welcome.

Heres what happened in therapy, by the way. Not much. I sat there, sinking into the soft, brown, oversized leather chair, and carefully crafted some creative BS (baloney shnotz, as my daughter calls it) that I thought the therapist wanted to hear; this was my first and last therapy session and my intro to acting. Nailed it. I was so angry and bored sitting in that dimly lit, drab room. As revenge, I picked my nose and wiped it on his fancy brown leather chair when he left the room.

My mother shared with the therapist that I had burned her blouse while attempting to iron. For all of you parents reading this, please dont teach your nine-year-old to iron. Really. Nine is a tad too young, and I had no idea there were actual settings for different fabrics. The high setting seemed fine until I placed the iron facedown on the nylon blouse because my favorite show was on, and then I got hungry, andforgot what I was doing. That iron was so hot, it melted that ugly blouse and left a huge sear mark on it. Between you and me, the blouse was really ugly. My mother should have thanked me. And as far as therapy goes, therapy at a young age meant nothing. I just imagined what I was supposed to say and spewed out improvised feelings.