How To Get Through A Bad Day

We all have certain days, when life just seems to feel a little grey.

It's hard to get through them, when you can't shake that feeling that things aren't right, or when you just don't feel like yourself.

It could be because you're going through a lot of change, or are getting over something that hurt you recently, but whatever it is, carrying those feelings and experiences around with you, isn't fun. I've put together a list of things to remember, to do, and to try next time you feel, a bad day has snuck up on you. 

Sometimes, bad days are just bad days. And there is no way around them. 

But listen.

You can't always control what will happen in those days. But you can always control how to approach those situations, and what mindset you will have towards the day, and yourself. This post is for anyone who struggles with getting through the tough days. When you feel like that rain cloud won't give up.

These are some things I have found that have helped me. Remember these, and try them out for yourself.  

1. It's never too late in the day to start over. 

First things first. You have to remember it's never too late to start the day over again. Just because your morning started out terrible, doesn't mean the rest of your day has to be. There is no knowing what the rest of the day will bring, and it's up to you to shift your mindset. To focus on the good bits, rather than the bad. 

If you feel like things are just unfolding in an awful mess and it's not even noon, take a breath. Take a break. Re-evaluate your strategy for the day. Pour another cup of coffee, and start again. 

And repeat if necessary.

It's okay to do this. Give yourself some forgiveness. 

2. Take breaks, and work in short bursts. 

Sometimes working in bursts works better for people. It has definitely helped me. And if you need to take a break, take it!

What helps too, is to divide up your 'to do' list into manageable small sections to complete throughout your day. This rule may look different for everybody, depending on your lifestyle. But work through your list little by little, taking one task at a time, and a break when you need it. Things will seem more manageable, and the day will seem less overwhelming. 

3. Journal it out. 

There are certain days where lists, and breaks, and mindset changes don't always work. This is for the days where nothing else seems to help, you don't even want to talk to anyone. 

When that happens, take a hour or two to yourself. And write it out. 

I'm not talking about the diary you had when you were twelve. Or that journal you made a year later because diarys were stupid after that. It doesn't even have to be any sort of regiment, or style you have to follow. Even if it's scribbles on paper. Write it out! No one has to read it. This is to help you get out whatever you may be feeling, and thinking about. It's getting those thoughts out of your mind. Where you can see them in front of you. For you to read back to yourself. Once you see them on paper you can see them for what they are. You can come back an hour later to look at them, and see them with a new perspective. 

This has helped me more times than I can count. It doesn't matter if you're not a 'writer.' That's not the point of this exercise. It's about the words. You know, people say there's power in written words. Ugh. They're so right.

4. Walk it out. 

Probably my favorite solution to a bad day. Similar to writing, only this is for the anxious individual who has everything going on in their head, and feels the need to move. This can be particularly helpful for you on those days. Take a stroll down your neighborhood, or walk through a park. Walking is physically doing something beneficial for your body, while letting those thoughts roll around and around, until they fall away, onto the ground beneath your feet. 

It's slowly releasing those emotions from your mind, and from your day, mile by mile. And I love it. 

5. Get away from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

It's easy when we get in a slump to fall into hiding mode from our problems, and isolate ourselves into a 'checking' social media marathon. When we are sad, feeling alone, are anxious, bored, burdened, or feeling lost.. we turn to our Phones, Facebook, Netflix, YouTube.

We use the online world, to distract from our own world, and our own feelings. 

Instead, close out everything. Even if it's just for a bit. Having it on all the time overloads our minds, and clouds our thoughts. When you get away from all that, you are left with nothing but your emotions and thoughts, and it forces you to face them. And once you face them, then you can begin to deal with them. 

Although I will say, curling up and watching a favorite movie, with a friend or family member, is sometimes all you need. 

6. Re-connect with God. 

This one is probably the most important tip. Nothing will be more beneficial to you, than this. Take a break from social media, and check in with God. It is just about the most powerful tip there is. We really don't do this enough.

Re-connecting with the one who made you is what is going to help you get the toughest of days. Reading through your bible, and spending some time reflecting in prayer. Sometimes, that's all it takes to turn your day around.  

Be patient with yourself, and give yourself some forgiveness. You will have a bad day, week, month, or time in your life. Some things, you can control. Some things you can't. But you always have control over your mind, and how you approach those bad days. 

Just remember.

Bad days are not forever.  

I promise, they pass. 

love, 

toria.