Ep. 16 Reflecting on: When Things Don't Go To Plan

The Home of Wellbeing & Joy.





This week, Dr Marcus Bull and Charlie Allnutt explore the wobbles, wrong turns and frustrating moments that happen when things just don’t go to plan. Whether that’s a weekend trip getting rained off, a tech fail, or those irritating curveballs that throw you off your rhythm.



We reflect on our own recent experience of a not-so-smooth shoot weekend in the Lake District, and talk through the science and psychology behind why small disruptions feel so disproportionately stressful.



Drawing on research by Lazarus & Folkman (1984), we break down how we appraise stress and why our reactions have less to do with the event itself, and more to do with how we perceive and interpret it.



You’ll also learn:




•


🧠 How uncertainty impacts the brain




•


💭 How to reframe stressful situations as growth moments




•


🧘 How to build psychological flexibility




•


🔁 What to do when your routine is thrown off




•


💗 How self-compassion can reduce spirals




•


✅ Why simple "If–Then" plans give you power back






This episode offers practical tools rooted in CBT, ACT and wellbeing science to help you boost resilience, stay present, and find joy even when your day gets derailed.



📍 Pillars explored: Introspection & Inspiration, Wellbeing & Joy, Presence & Gratitude



Whether you're having one of those mornings, or just trying to build more bounce-back into your week, this one’s for you. Let’s turn life’s left turns into tools for growth.



📚 References cited in this episode:



Grupe, D. W., & Nitschke, J. B. (2013). Uncertainty and anticipation in anxiety: an integrated neurobiological and psychological perspective. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 14(7), 488–501. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3524



Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2005). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.0...



Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.



Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure Self-Compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027



 



🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!



📲 Follow us for more:



Instagram: @themoodboosterpodcast (  / themoodboosterpodcast  )

TikTok: @themoodboosterpodcast (  / themoodboosterpodcast  )

Website: www.themoodbooster.co.uk (http://www.themoodbooster.co.uk)



🎥 Prefer video? Watch this episode on YouTube! @TheMoodBoosterPodcast (   / @themoodboosterpodcast  )



⭐ If you enjoyed the episode, please rate & review, it really helps!