Finding the Good in the Bad
Many of us, if not everyone, have had days that we call “off days.” It might mean that we are just tired, have had a really bad day, or have had anything in between. Everyone has those days — it’s part of being human. But sometimes, it can get into our heads, and we drag it onto the next day or even the entire week, letting one bad moment or one bad day affect us for a long period of time. This has a negative effect on our mental health as it can spread toward others through our actions.
It may seem like even regular days get to us because we feel the boredom of the routine of waking up and going to school every day. These feelings are common, especially as we are getting used to in-person school again. Like bad days, constantly feeling like there is nothing to look forward to can negatively affect us for long periods of time. It’s okay to realize and be aware of this, but there are ways to appreciate life through the harsh or boring parts. You can still find little moments that can make seemingly dull days brighter, even if we don’t even realize it at the time.
If you ever find yourself stuck in a cycle of dry mornings and nights, you can practice finding at least one or two good things from the day. Whether it just be a reflection of your thoughts internally or in a journal, doing so is a good addition to your daily routine. The good things can be small, such as blowing dandelions or driving home during sunset, or it might be a little more significant, like laughing with your friends during break or finishing a new series on Netflix. Different people will find joy in different things, and it could be through nature, memories, or any other interests. Even if a day seems unbearable, or it is near impossible to recognize any good, try to find something — even if it’s the fact that you woke up in the morning — that helps you feel grateful for what you experienced that day. It can be hard to appreciate life in all its forms, but doing so can bring significant and positive outcomes to your overall well-being.
Accepting that you have had an off day is one of the first steps to knowing that these feelings are valid and that you are human. You can not change anything about your day once it is over, but you can always focus on the good things rather than the bad — even if it’s hard to find. As cheesy as it sounds, these small moments are what make life worth living. Finding the good in the bad can better our outlook on our lives and ourselves. So next time you feel like there was nothing notable about your day, try to find something good about it, no matter how small it may seem!
