When you have a bad day…

What do you do when you have a bad day? Do you sing a sad song just to turn it around?

(Are you singing ‘Bad Day’ by Daniel Powter? It has been playing in my head the whole time I have been writing this post.)

Yesterday I started my day by leaving for work when I said I was going to be at work because I forgot I chose to change my schedule. The rest of the day was weird and felt off. Everything and everyone was okay, but I was bummed that I had failed.

So I decided to paint. I had chores to do and things to get done, but instead of doing anything I needed to do yesterday after work I got out my painting kit.

I was feeling down for a few reasons. I knew that I could strive to turn things around and make the day better. I knew that it really wasn’t a big deal that I showed up at work on time rather than early. My brain had helped me remember a lot over the course of the long week with appointments and days off of my normal schedule and routines, so I decided to give myself a break and spend some time painting.

I know I am not a great painter, but I know spending time on a project was something that I needed to allow my brain space to turn off. I let myself put my phone down and paint. I had finished watching Gilmore Girls for the 10th time and my tv shut off while I was painting away. I did still go to my fitness class, get some shopping done, and make myself food. Beyond that taking time to paint was the best way to finish my day as I needed a break.

I woke up today and was able to accomplish what I had to do. It was all okay to wait until today. I still was able to have time to write, take a nap, and relax on my full day off today. I spent some time with new friends and enjoyed a latte. Today has been a better day because I did not fix yesterday. I let yesterday finish and let go of what I could not control while I painted the evening away.

What do you do when you have a bad hour? Do you let it turn into a bad day? Do you strive to turn your day around or do you sit in the bad day while it passes by?

I do not know if there is a right or wrong answer to these questions. I think it is good to have an idea of what you can do when you are having a bad time. As the way the world is these days, bad days are going to come and go. How you handle them will be a part of life – you can let them take over your life, or you can paint. Let a new day come along. Decide to find joy in today.

You may have failed in a moment, but you are not a failure at life.

You may have a bad hour or day, but you have a good life worth living.

You may feel stuck in a rut, but you know you get to choose what you do next.

Until next time…

“For your peace of mind, do not try to understand everything.” – Unknown

“Do something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn’t, do something else.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“You are the painter of your own mood. Your days are only as grey as you allow them to be.” – Unknown