How To Get Through One of Those Days

Is it just me, or does everyone have one of those days where they feel like a pathetic loser?

You know those days. Those days when you’re getting ready for work, eating breakfast, or driving and you’re just plagued by everything you haven’t accomplished, everything you don’t have, and everything that hasn’t changed in your life.

To be honest, “those days” have been a little too frequent for me lately. They can give you a sharp detour into a pit you can’t easily climb out of. Though you can’t always avoid the wave of discontent that follows these days, but you can get through them.

I know it’s best to seize those feelings before you let them take over, and I’ve come up with a few optional and necessary steps to help.

1. Talk to God (necessary)

Praying without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) means talking to God about the good, the bad, and the ugly. The victories and the failures. The praises and the problems. Believe me, it’s probably the last thing you feel like doing, but it’s the most important step to propel you through the day. Do it on your commute to work, or if you’re at home, light a candle and make it a sit down occasion for you and God. We have that privilege thanks to Jesus. If you don’t know how to start, let me help:

“God, this is how I’m feeling today…”

2. Buy yourself something (optional)

You may not have the money and you don’t want to depend on things to make you feel better, but a treat can go a long way. When I was feeling down one day, I bought a new gym outfit so I could have the pleasure of getting something while still promoting a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy the little things and remind yourself that you’re special. No one has to do that but you.

3. Count your blessings (necessary)

With every disappointment or complaint you have in life, there is a blessing to counteract it. For instance:

Problem: The air conditioning in my car doesn’t work.

Blessing: Lord, thank you for my car so I can drive wherever I need.

Self pity comes from dwelling on the negative in your life. And I don’t doubt that we all deal with serious negative forces, but I also believe that we’re blessed far more than we realize. Dwelling on those blessings will ease up on the pity and balance it with a heart of thanks. (1 Thess 5:18)

4. Do something (optional)

The last thing you want are for those gray feelings to immobilize you. Do something you enjoy. Workout because it helps release endorphins. Watch a movie. Cook something. Retreat to your hobbies. If you can get together with people who will either listen to your feelings or help get your mind off them, you can be free from, let’s face it, yourself for awhile.

Join me in getting through the funk of those dismal days before they begin to control you. If any of these steps helps you in anyway, feel free to share it with me!

God bless!

-LJM