Are you having a bad day?

Having a bad day? We have all had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong. You crawl out of bed and for no particular reason you’re in a sour mood. Right off the bat your morning is beginning with negative energy. As the day continues you end up late for work, spill your coffee, and forget your wallet. You’re just having one of those days. There are bad days, really bad days, and even worse days. These days happen, and let’s face it, at times are hard to avoid.

When having a bad day becomes having a bad life

When I reached rock bottom and decided it was time for change, I learned a positive attitude helped me cope more easily with the daily matters of life. It took me years of growing and self-reflecting to realize this. To realize I had robbed myself of happiness because I allowed myself to become overwhelmed.

Learning to channel positive energy into my daily routine has kept me optimistic, grateful, and has wholeheartedly changed my life.

If you are having a bad day, try these steps Click to tweet

These are the steps I took to get into the mindset I have today. Having a bad day does not need to turn into a negative life if you follow these steps.

1. Start with self-care

Self-care is controlled by you. It’s deliberate and self-initiated. It is the self-care of your physical, mental and emotional health, and is very often overlooked. We’re our own worst critic, and sometimes our biggest enemy. Be conscious of the way you speak to yourself. Meditation is a wonderful way to connect with your soul and cleanse your mind. Be aware of your inner critic when you are having a bad day- are you blaming yourself for all that is going wrong?

2. Wake Up Grateful

Wake up in the morning, grateful. Sure, things may not be the best. But you’re alive, and you’re here, and whether you believe it or not, you’re important and valued. That’s right. If no one else values you, I value you. I believe every soul on earth makes a contribution to the world we live in – let’s make yours a positive contribution, and a great experience for not only yourself, but those around you

3. Don’t only feel grateful. BE grateful.

There is always something to be grateful for. When you begin to make a conscious effort to recognize the goodness in your life, you will find more and more to be grateful for. A great way to get started is to keep a gratitude journal. Every night, write down 5 things you were grateful for in your day and describe how it affected you. So, when I feel like I’m having a bad day I think of all those little things that make me smile and even re-read my gratitude journal to remind myself. See Gratitude

Last night my 5 month old puppy tapped my knee with hopes of cuddling into my lap. He propped his little feet up on my shoulders and licked me all over my face. As much as I tried to resist those sloppy kisses, I’m grateful to be loved.

4. Remove negativity

Release the energy of yesterday. You have the power to grow above your past, to make yourself stronger and to make yourself whole. If you find yourself in an environment that challenges your happiness, try to make improvements. You are accountable for your own happiness. It is unhealthy to hold onto past hurts; that is how you go from having a bad day to a bad week to months and years of looking back with negativity.

5. Compliment yourself.

We are our biggest critic – but, I think you’re awesome, and so do your friends, family, and loved ones. Tell yourself you’re awesome. How often do you pat yourself on the back? Do this every day.

“When you cannot get a compliment any other way pay yourself one.” – Mark Twain

6. Don’t sweat the small things.

Although there may be other larger hardships going on in your life, focus your energy on improving the small things. It can be so easy to be thrown off mood when you’re stressed, overwhelmed, over worked, under slept – the list can go on and on. Turn those negatives into a positive. Appreciate the challenges. You are not defined by what happens in your life. Sometimes when you are having a bad day, it can be the small stuff that catches you out, tips you over into negativity- so tackle it.

Where I am today- not having a bad day!

Self-care and gratitude have helped me identify my life’s purpose. I’ve learned my purpose is to love, to be kind and to learn. Not to be happy, but to find it within myself to be whole. I want to share this with the world with hopes to inspire others to overcome their hardships, and appreciate their lives and themselves.

Being your whole self will bring you happiness. Without being your whole self, without feeling fulfilled, without caring for yourself – you won’t be truly happy, and this all starts with positive thinking.

Let me know in the comments below- What are you grateful for?

See more of Annie’s thoughts and advice at http://anneliesemariee.wordpress.com/

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