Perfect days are what we strive for. Good days are what we hope for. Bad days…well those are just bound to happen. The thing about bad days is that we end up beating ourselves up and those around us because we let our emotions get the best of us. The trick to navigating a bad day is recognition and acceptance. If there is something that can be done to turn your day around and you know what that something is, get it done. That’s the ultimate success to an otherwise bad day. However, some days are just bad days. Whether it be hormones or a bad dream that started your day off on the wrong foot, there are some days that you just want to be over so you can start a new one. So accept that day for what it is. Tell yourself, I’m just having a bad day and lower your expectations for yourself. Tell those around you “I’m sorry, I’m having a bad day” and go easy on them. They’ll be gentle to you in return.
Handling a bad day with anger is like adding fire to the flame. It does nothing but turn up the volume on the negativity. Breathe. Try to think before you speak and most of all, try not to let your mind get the best of you. Sometimes what is simply a bad day can get blown out of proportion. Recognize your triggers and steer clear. Maybe your spouse knows exactly what buttons to push, so tell him/her you need some alone time. Maybe being alone is your trigger, you let your mind wander in to a deep, dark hole. If that’s the case, call a friend or family member, someone that makes you smile. Nurture yourself with a long walk in the woods, a good book or a hot cup of tea. Steer clear of temporary fixes like alcohol and junk food. Those only perpetuate the problem while taking on the guise of a solution.
Beating yourself up accomplishes nothing. Neither does directing the anger of your bad day at those around you. You can’t fight negativity with negativity. It’s a losing battle. So next time you have a bad day, try not battling it at all. Take it for what it is, a shitty day.
If it’s fixable, fix it. If not, accept it.
Know that tomorrow is a new day. A new opportunity. And sometimes the passing of time is the only solution.
