Everyone has them, every single person. Even the happiest, most up beat person you know has bad days, they just might not let you know. It is how we handle them and move forward that can help shape us for the rest of our lives. It would be wonderful if everyone got some of these lessons early on so they could have a more fulfilling life.
What is a bad day? Well, we all know the accidents in life or the medical emergencies or worse can make a bad day, those are a given. It is the day that starts out rushed, then you trip, break something, catch your purse on a handle, snag your clothes, lose the big deal etc. Those are the day in day out things that can get to us. Here are some simple, proven things you can do to take charge of that bad day and stop it from getting worse.
1. Start a journal. Pick up any notebook and write down what is bugging you, how you feel about it and what you will do to change it. You can even write it down on a piece of paper and burn it but I for one think the introspection and review help long term. Just do it, do not think about it, get a notebook or buy a nice journal and keep it around.
2. Stop, literally stop, and think about what exactly is bothering you. You may be grumpy and mad at work or hate the people in the coffee line but is it them or something else? Did you forget to do something and you are bothered by it? Did you get in a fight with a spouse, friend, family member or even co-worker and it is bothering you? Did you just not get enough sleep. Consider what is really making you upset and create a plan to fix it, talk to that person, go to bed earlier or plan to do what ever it is that yu didn’t do. Our mind and body want to be happy, we just have to make it easier.
3. Smile. Yep, just start smiling. Now if you are depressed or something really tragic has happened then this is going to be impossible. You can not be happy if you are sad, you can only be incrementally less sad and work your way up. So, if it is an intangible thing that is getting to you or you feel like people are just being mean then try this little experiment. Smile at everyone you run into. Be the happy person and you will get heaps of happiness in return. You can frown when you get back into the car or office. By being the smiler you make other people respond better and your day starts to turn around right away. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
4.Reach out to a resource for perspective. Leaning on a friend or a mentor is a good way to get your arms around what is really important. Is this a bad day that just feels that way or are there real things you should be concerned about. If this is one bad day in the middle of a bunch of good ones then it is just that a bad day. if this is a bad day strung together with a lot of other ones then you need to definitely sit down and evaluate your situation, if it is the job, get another one. If it is your friends, boyfriend or other social situation start right away to either get new ones or sit down with the ones you have and work it out.
Life is short and it is truly a gift. Often the bad is not as big as it seems. Stop yourself and figure out why you are in this emotion and then make a positive plan to change it. Oh yeah, and smile, the whole world will smile with you!
Stephanie York ——www.descoaching.com—–(805)701-8508——-coaching@descoaching.com
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this. I am happy to see that you have not changed. You are still spreading joy. I agree that life is too short and it is up to each of us as to how we choose to live it. Why not be positive and happy. Smiles are wonderful…” smile at everyone, it may be the only sunshine they see all day.”
This is wonderful, Stephanie. I especially like the journal part, and I can attest to the therapeutic nature of journaling. I started writing “morning pages” a couple of years ago, and I’ve filled a couple of spiral notebooks from cover to cover. It’s also interesting going back and reading them after a while.
Great tips!
Sean
Thanks for the comments, yeah, these simple things help me even in the roughest of times. Let me know if there are any topics you would like to hear about. keep smiling yourself!!!!