Even Bad Days Hold Blessings—How to Find Beauty in Bad Days
Do you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed? You know, those mornings when it feels like the whole day is cursed the moment you sit up?
We’ve all thought it: *I wish I could go back to bed and start over. *
But we can’t always just crawl back into bed for a take 2. Sometimes we gotta work with what we have.
These mornings happen to me, too. One morning, I got up at 4:45 AM to teach two classes in a row, but nothing flowed for me. It’s okay to admit it - on some mornings nothing works!
I woke up from bad dreams, I had overslept so there was no time for practice, the fridge was empty, the dogs spent all night barking at the wind… I was agitated from the moment my eyes opened and it just didn’t get better.
Here is the key to days like this: allow yourself to have bad moments—not bad days.
You always have the opportunity to turn a day around. No matter how this morning started off, decide that today is going to be a good one.
Here are some of my bad day remedies:
Slow down.
Know that it takes just a little bit of happy to turn a whole lotta crap into something great.
Even if the day started off on the wrong foot, don’t waste time making it worse by fixating on every little frustration in your head! Change it. Decide to be happy.
Treat yourself to a really good lunch.
Go for a walk.
Call your mom or your best friend.
Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. Sometimes it’s easier to start with the body. The mind will catch on once you let go of that little voice in your head that tells you things are not as they “should be” (not true!).
Everything is exactly the way it’s supposed to be. You need these bad moments because they signal what you’re needed - to slow down, simplify, let go, refocus. Gather the blessings of your bad day. Be here fully and enjoy the freedom you have to keep moving forward through each and every moment. Good moments taste sweeter when you know how else they could be.
If you’re one of those people who struggles with mornings in general, try establishing a sacred morning routine. As soon as you wake up, make warm tea, sit in your favorite chair, and journal or read or listen to music that always makes you happy. Treat yourself to your favorite things before you pick up your phone and let in the rest of the world! Knowing you’re going to do things that make you feel great as soon as you wake up can dissolve the morning blues.
Writing these words, I’m taking a moment to shift my day. I’m lying on my office couch, cuddling Ringo and drinking a smoothie. I’m applauding myself for teaching two back-to-back classes at the crack of dawn and not letting a bad start ruin the rest of my day!
Every day has the potential for beauty, love and magic. It’s your choice to notice it and grow it.
Let’s choose to have a wonderful day today! You with me?
What do you do to turn bad days around or make your mornings more joyful? Share your tips with us in the comments!
X, Rachel