Sometimes a bad day creeps up on us, sometimes it slams right into us and sometimes you just wake up in a foul mood with no understanding of why. However, when a bad day finds you, it certainly doesn’t have to define you.

When the Day is Not Going According to Plan

Personally, whenever I have a bad day, I feel discouraged and often wonder whether it’s worth carrying on for the rest of the day. Too often I make the mistake of trying to pretend I’m not feeling what I feel and before I know it the rage has set in and someone will get the brunt of it, which is both unfair and not helpful. I know we’re all guilty of that.

The truth is bad days are part and parcel of our life experience as are the truly beautiful days that bless us. You can’t escape a bad day, but you can give yourself the tools to stop reacting and start creating. The words ‘react’ and ‘create’ comprise the same letters but mean different things. It’s called an anagram. Today you’re going to learn to create anagrams with your own life where you use the same circumstances but create different things.

Simply put, it’s really just about changing your perspective. When you change your perspective and come from a different angle, miracles are bound to happen.

Note 1 - Accept

Accept. When shit hits the fan and life is coming at you from a thousand different directions, accept that what is happening is exactly what is happening. Most times we ask ‘Why is this happening to me?’ and you’d be right to ask that question, but honestly it’s already happening to you so just accept it.

Acceptance does not mean you are submissive to life’s trials. If anything, it is the opposite. Acceptance puts you in a place of power where you are able to take stock of everything around you and calmly start putting plans in place to create differently.

Note 2 - Breathe

Breathe. In a moment of panic, you forget to breathe fully, often using quick shallow breaths that can make the situation worse. In a closed space, breathing that way will kill you.

Harsh I know, but the truth is breathing quickly and shallowly uses your oxygen quota much faster and it does not soothe you. Aim to get to a place of calm for it is from a calm mind that great ideas will flow to change your perspective.

Note 3 – Speak Up

Speak up. If you’re having a bad day, then tell someone about it. I don’t mean scream at the person who is arguing with you or the driver who blindsided you. Pick up the phone and call a friend. Explain you’d like to rant and then go for it – just let it out.

Because they’re not involved in the situation, they won’t take it personally and it will allow you to be open and honest without fanning the flames of your current situation. I suggest that you don’t email your friend as typing the words just doesn’t have the same power as using your voice to say what is eating you.

Note 4 – Express Yourself

Express yourself. In everyone’s life there is something that can be extremely calming. Again, getting to a place of calm does not mean denying what you feel. In fact it is only by expressing what you feel that you begin to feel calm. This note is very similar to note 3.

After ranting and raving to a friend with whom you feel safe, then express it either through writing, listening to music (I particularly like Alanis Morrisette’s Jagged Little Pill, painting, cooking or even praying. The underlying emotion in anger and rage as in love and joy is a little gem known as passion. When used effectively, it can create jewels that may even astound you.

Note 5 – Take Time Out

Take time out. Sometimes screaming won’t do it, so you need to take yourself away for a while. Just separate yourself from the situation or person and create a place where you’re not bothered by the negativity.

In such cases, watching a movie or reading a light-hearted book usually works. You want something that you can get lost in easily and quickly.

Note 6 - Laugh

Laugh. This is my recommended therapy for everything – break ups, moody boss, heartache, family drama. Either spend time with a friend who you know will make you laugh or go through your inbox to find an email that once made you laugh.

Or, if you can, watch past episodes of sitcoms, especially from the sixties and seventies. The dated sets and psychedelic fashion is always good for a bout of fits.

Note 7 - Dance

Dance. As Jamiroquai sing in Canned Heat, just ‘Nothing left for me to do but dance off these bad times I'm going through’. They have a point because a little loud music and gyrating will release those endorphins and soon you’ll be a happy-chappy.

Note 8- Work it Out

Work it out. If you can’t dance for whatever reasons then gym is the next best thing. Hitting the treadmill and working up a sweat is the perfect way to feel better almost instantaneously. You move your focus from your mind to your body while getting a great workout.

Note 9 – Read an Inspiring Piece

Read an inspiring piece. I always read the passage from Erin Pavlina’s blog entitled You are Worthy of Love. It is a beautiful piece that reminds me there is more to life than a moment of madness. It reminds me of who I am.

Note 10 - Drink

Drink. If all else fails, then a glass of something is always guaranteed to calm you. Not that we at SenseOnline advocate alcoholism, but some things just work.

Have an amazing day!