When I say ‘bad’ day, I don’t mean an extremely grave situation, but rather an unideal mood caused by one or more of these reasons. Overwork, juggling multiple priorities, inability to concentrate, general lethargy, or sick kiddos at home - common anxiety arising from work/life balance. Maybe it’s one of these that has thrown off your entire day or perhaps it’s a combination of many. Either way, I’ve been there, and I’ve learned a few tricks to get out of the rut before it takes a toll on me. These tips may especially come in handy for those of us who are self-starters (creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, makers) who generally don’t live a 9-5 lifestyle.
Everyone has their own strategy; these are some simple ‘realistic’ things that work for me (in no particular order):
1. Don’t fight it - One thing I have learned over time is to not fight a bad day. I just embrace my mood and focus on the small things I can do to try to salvage the rest of the day. I know after some rest and a good night’s sleep, the next day will be better.
2. Declutter - It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disorganized when your paperwork, house, or life in general feels messy. Getting rid of clutter can feel very therapeutic because you are physically making a difference in your surroundings. It can be something as simple as deleting old emails or cleaning up your work space. Create space for new ideas and creativity to grow into while freeing up your mind a bit!
3. Cook - If you read my blog updates from a few weeks ago, you know that I developed a liking for cooking only after the girls were born. Making a simple, healthy meal for the family can be very gratifying.
4. Workout - This is one of my favorites! Working out not only makes me feel good about taking care of myself but it truly is a sure-fire way to uplift my mood. I sometimes just need my cardio fix.
5. Self-care - Everyone has their own idea of what self-care means but not everyone takes the time to indulge in it! For me, I love music, dancing, candles, essential oils, a hot shower, a massage, getting a blow out or taking the time to put some makeup on. Any way to ease my mind and pamper myself a bit, because let’s face it, we all deserve to slow down and focus on ourselves. Can't resist quoting Coco Chanel: "If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack!"
6. Gratitude - Be thankful! This is one of the easiest ways to turn your day around because it means focusing on the good in your life. I love to take a moment to focus on all I have to be thankful for, from a sunny day to my loving family, it’s as easy as it sounds. This always reminds me to carry a positive mindset because things could get way worse.
7. Reset expectations and prioritize - When you have a lot going on, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This is an easy way to feel discouraged, but it doesn’t have to be! When this happens, I focus on a couple of things I can really accomplish and check off my list. Whether it’s tackling pending emails, grocery shopping, or even making a to-do list for the next day, choose obligations you can complete with ease to set yourself up for success early on! Who knows, once your mood changes you’ll be ready to take on more as the day goes on, too. Baby steps!
8. Change of scenery - If you’re tired of the same old workplace or day to day routine, mix it up! I love to take a walk or work at a cafe. These are simple ways to keep your motivation on track and make you look forward to each new day.
9. Get Creative - Many of our jobs call upon our creativity, but as you know, there are endless ways to express this side of you. Dabble in something new. I love to give myself a break from the norm. Write, read, paint, or draw! Whatever it may be, let yourself enjoy this new outlet because whether you realize it or not, it’s helping you succeed in other ways as well.
10. Unplug - It’s crazy how all consuming social media can be. And the ways in which we utilize it. I know sometimes I don’t even realize just how much time I’m spending on my phone or laptop. But when trying to uplift my mood, this is the last thing I need to be doing. Unplug! Even if it’s only for an hour or two, give your mind a break from the constant flow of media.
There you have it, my 10 top go-to survival tricks when my day just won’t seem to go my way! What are your go-to strategies to turnaround a bad day?
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