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It’s OK to have a bad day

I’m a health coach. I eat healthy food, I exercise regularly, I practice gratitude, and say my positive affirmations daily. As a result, I live a life I love and appreciate, and I feel truly blessed every day. People see all my positive posts on social media and some think I’m this perfect being, living the perfect life. People ask me, “How do you do it? You’re so lucky!”

Bad day concept.The truth is, living a life you love takes work. And let me be clear, I’m far from perfect…I am human just like all of you. I have good days and bad days. I struggle physically, mentally, and emotionally just like anyone else. The difference is this: I make a strong, hard effort each day to deliberately create a life I love. And believe me, it has been one heck of a long road!

My healing journey began 14 years ago, and I continue to grow and evolve. There is no such thing as perfect, and that is how it was meant to be. We were created not to be perfect, but to evolve on our own personal journey and strive for what brings us joy in life.

 So I am writing today to tell you what I do when I am having a bad day, and how having a bad day doesn’t mean it is actually a “bad” day.

Young woman in bed awakening tired insomnia hangoverThere are times I wake up in the morning and I just don’t feel like getting out of bed. That fresh, hot, “just kicked in the gut” kind of feeling engulfs me, and I just want to lie there and avoid reality. Does this sound familiar to you?

I have many days where I feel anxiety, anger, frustration, out of my body, or simply depressed. My to-do list takes over my brain, and I think of all the things I need to accomplish. I start to obsess about them. Once I start obsessing, more things come to mind to obsess about, and then it’s this constant circle of anxiety. Before you know it, I’m so far down in the rabbit hole that I actually start to become UNproductive. Can you relate to this? I’m sure I am not alone.

If this sounds familiar to you even a little, keep reading because I have some good news for you: Bad days are normal, and there are ways to turn a “bad” day into a good one. Here are the things I personally do when I am having an off day:

1)    I allow myself to feel the emotions that are coming. I don’t try to force myself out of it, or change the way I am feeling. Instead I honor that I am human, and I absolutely have the right to have these feelings. In other words, I like to say “let it flow, and let it go.” The more we try to change or fight against our emotions, the less productive we are, and the more intensely these feelings are going to bubble to the surface later. Let your human and perfectly natural feelings flow through you, and then let them go.

emotion2)    I am kind to myself. Instead of wondering “Why am I feeling this way? Get with it woman!” I give myself some extra TLC. I meditate, practice yoga, watch a funny sitcom, read a book I love, pet my cat, drink some green juice, get a massage, etc. These are just my ways of caring for myself, but whatever you personally like to do that makes you feel loved, cared for, and just plain good, do that. You will be surprised at how much more you can accomplish when you take the time to care for the person who needs you most: YOU.

3)    I try not to judge myself for having an off day. The worst thing we can possibly do to ourselves is criticize or judge ourselves for experiencing our natural emotions. The more we can be self accepting and loving, the more quickly the emotions will be able to pass through. Remember, being human involves having emotions, both good and uncomfortable. So how about you let yourself off the hook once in a while? You deserve it!

Our society today encourages so much “perfection.” Don’t cry, don’t show your emotions, don’t be angry, don’t be embarrassed, don’t be scared or anxious, don’t have a bad day…don’t be human. I have to say I completely disagree with society.

Experience your emotions, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don’t hold back. Be vulnerable. Be you. The more you can honor yourself and your emotions, the more magic you will see come into your life in so many amazing ways. A “bad” day isn’t necessarily bad. If you have one, congratulations…you’re normal!

Andrea M

Andrea McLaughlin is a Holistic Health Coach, a glowing ray of sunshine and a blog contributor for onesalonlife.com. Find her on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/amclaughlin.savvynaturopath

0r Twitter @savvynaturopath