You know those days where everything seems to be going wrong? You spilled your coffee, got stuck in traffic, forgot that important thing at home, then yelled at your partner. Or maybe it’s one of those weeks where you feel like you can’t catch a break. The car needs a costly repair, your relationship feels off, your AC went out, and no one seems happy at work. It feels like one bad thing after the other keeps happening. If this sounds familiar, don’t miss this video, where I share five, super important things to remember when everything seems to be going wrong.
1. Not everything is going wrong. It’s tempting to think that every single thing is going wrong, but if you step back and take a wider view, not everything is awful. There are some things going well or not falling apart. Take time to notice and name those. (Want to learn more about how to do this? Check out this fun video.)
2. This is temporary. When everything feels like it’s falling apart, it often feels like there is no end in sight and that this awfulness will last forever. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that this struggle is temporary. Even in some of the most painful and life altering situations, such as grief and loss, this phrase still rings true. The pain, as you are experiencing right at this moment, will not stay this way. The intensity, the newness, the perspective, it will shift and change with time.
3. You have options. Even when everything feels out of your control, it’s important to remember that you have options. You still get a say in some stuff. I remember a day during the time I mentioned in the video where I felt completely defeated. On my way home from work, I asked myself what I could control for the rest of the night. I was able to identify several things, and I chose to focus on those. (This included a winning dinner combination of mac and cheese and mint chocolate chip ice cream.) Try to notice and name the options you have. They’re likely out there.
4. You are not alone. When we’re in pain, we often isolate, feeling separate and disconnected from those around us. Do your best to lean in. Ask for help. Let others know you’re struggling. Part of being a human is struggling, so you are never alone in that.
5. You’ve felt this way before, and things turned around. Chances are, you’ve had days or weeks where everything seemed like it was going wrong. But that feeling or pattern didn’t last. For example, earlier this week, my website went down for a short period. While I initially panicked, I reminded myself that I’ve had website glitches before, and they always get fixed. Sure enough, the site was back up in 15 minutes. You’ve felt this way before, and you’ve made it through. Bonus points if you can think of specific times!
Remember, we have the power to shape how we feel by changing the way we think. When everything seems to be going wrong, remember these five things. They’ll help!
Which statement do you need to remember most? Also, want another way to change your day? Check out this post, which highlights how you can change your day in just ten seconds!
