When I first threw around a title for this piece, I had considered not using profanity. When thinking about my most-recent Tuesday, I had thought of using craptastic or perhaps having a bad case of the “blue devils”, but no, this day can only be described using that word. It wasn’t that any one specific event was so torturous: it’s that feeling you have when things keep piling up and going wrong and it won’t stop. That moment when a pencil breaks or something mild happens and you look like a crazy person having a breakdown over something small, instead of what you really are: someone who is having a really bad day. That was the day I had. Now, as I have sat back and contemplated I’ve decided to compile a list of things that anyone who is having one of these days can follow and start to feel better.
Breathe.
In the words of my wonderful manager, Jenny, “Breathe!” After I left work to go vote in the Virginia Governer Primaries, I realized that both my engagement ring and promise ring were missing. Frantic, I called my father (the other manager) and begged him to rush to the bathroom to see if it was left there. No luck. I rushed over to the store and in my desperate state, I heard my manger call, “I’ve got them!” Sure enough, there were my rings! I was given a hug and reminded to “Just breathe! Relax.” It’s hard for us to remember the perspective of things when we are put under intense amounts of stress and we can often forget to use the most vital involuntary function: breathing.
Remember that everyone makes mistakes…EVERYONE.
I’m the type of person that likes to gripe about my issues. I suppose voicing my struggles somehow makes them easier on me…either way it is important to be gentle on yourself. No human is perfect—that’s what makes us so interesting. Every event from my infamous day made me scoff in disbelief and then laugh and wonder how this stuff happens to me! At the end of the day, it’s about the things that did go right. A way to help recover is to write down everything that did go well during your day. For example, I made it to work on time, had a decent lunch, and got to see my sister. Those pros will always outweigh the cons.
Do something for yourself.
In a world where we are always running NON STOP, it’s so important to take time to yourself. The world will not end if you come home from work and decide to partake in some one-on-one pick-me up. That day, I decided to go the store and pick up some crafting materials. Taking a bath or even painting your nails is a perfect ways to de-stress and calm down. Something I have learned working in my fourth year of my current job is that the show will continue even if I’m not there right away. Being a few minutes late to work so I can enjoy my morning commute and come into work less stressed is something I have learned to cherish instead of stress about.
Lastly, you are loved.
I had a customer come into the store and verbally berate me because his bank card ran as a credit instead of a debit. That day, I had already had so much on my plate, I proceeded to cry as he slammed me with insults. Once he had finished glaring at me from his car and left the parking lot, I felt like crap. Then, I remembered that his opinion didn’t matter. The little things of that day that had made me feel awful and dejected didn’t change my own self-worth. I have a family, friends, coworkers, and pets who think I am the bees knees and guess what: You are too! No matter what type of day you have, you are always loved and worth the world. When you finally do get your chance to sit down and recall the day’s events, remember: We can’t control what this life throws at us, but we can control how we react.
Stay strong, stay kind, and always believe in yourself. HCXOXO