Ever have a day that you were really looking forward to come completely unraveled in the first five minutes?
If so, you’re not alone.
But you have a choice–you can either let the day be a complete loss, or salvage what you can out of it and look ahead to tomorrow.
Below is some of my best advice for salvaging something out of your day. Don’t ever give up and let a bad start or some bad circumstances ruin your day. You can always find something to see even the smallest glimmer of hope in. Grab onto that, and let it motivate you for the next day.
Do what you can.
I woke up this morning with a lightly-throbbing headache. “No problem,” I said to myself, “I’ll take care of this with some caffeine.”
I was on my third cup of coffee when I realized this was likely to be an all-day headache. Not quite a migraine, but a dull ache that would last the day.
I was disappointed for sure–I had a big day planned, with a lot of writing and business planning that I wanted to do. I had driven home from visiting family the night before and had brainstormed some plans, but now these were shut down because I could barely think, let alone do the hard thinking I needed to do to execute my plans.
So I did what I could–I wrote two pieces, did some light reading, and messaged a few people. And I’m okay with that.
After I finish up some light organization, I will take the kids and our dog for a walk and hope the fresh air will do me some good.
When you’re having a bad day, you can only do what you can–so do that, and be okay with it.
Plan for when you can catch up on anything you missed.
As I wrote, I had many plans for today that aren’t (as I write this) going to get accomplished. It’s taken me three times longer than usual just to write this piece.
In the past, I would be frustrated with myself and push through, working too hard and ending up wasting the next day as well. I would become angry with those around me who didn’t give me enough space. In short, I wouldn’t be honest with myself about my own needs, and I would create further problems for myself and others because of it.
Today, I did what I could, and I made a list of things I wanted to do today but have to be shifted to another day. And that’s okay. I will catch up on everything by the end of the week.
I have had to learn that it is okay to get sick, or have a migraine, or have something else come up that affects our ability to do what we want to do. It is not a weakness, it just is. If you’re like me, the sooner you realize this and become okay with it, the happier you will be.
Give yourself grace and be happy with yourself.
Being happy with yourself even when you underperform your own expectations is part of emotional health. There is nothing wrong with you when you just can’t go, and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
I used to waste a lot of energy worrying about what church leaders thought about me if I took a sick day. So, I’d drive to the office and basically sit around all day, not able to get anything done, but having my car parked outside for anyone who drove by to see.
Nobody told me to do this, and when I finally smartened up and just stayed home if I was sick, nobody complained. I gave myself permission to rest when I was sick, and I was okay with that.
When you can’t do what you want to do, you have to be able and willing to give yourself some grace. As a “type A” person myself, I understand the struggle. But much of our attempts to “push through” are based on meeting other people’s expectations, and we have to let this go.
One of the healthiest things I ever did for myself was let myself off the hook and just be me.
Write out five things you are grateful for.
Finally, if you feel like you’ve completely wasted a day, take inventory of the things you are grateful and thankful for. This will remind you of all the good things you have in your life. Failures and let-downs are temporary. The people and positive things we have in our lives are the things we need to focus on.
How did you find this article helpful? What questions do you have?
I help people simplify spiritual habits and find peace amidst stress and uncertainty. If I can help you, please reach out and let me know.
What do you do when you have a bad day to help you stay positive?