“Everyone has a bad day; the key is not to make your bad day someone else’s bad day as well.” ~Lisa Merlo-Booth
Life can be challenging. Some days can seem unbearably hard, while others provide a much-needed reprieve from the difficulties. The truth is, though, everyone has hard days; it is the human condition. Having a hard day, though, is not a free pass to treat everyone around you poorly.
On those difficult days, find a shoulder to lean on, a person to talk to, a pillow to scream into, a path to walk, a meditation to listen to, or someone or something else to help you carry the load. Do what you need to do to help that bad day become a little more tolerable—without making your bad day a miserable day for everyone around you.
Having a bad day is not a green light for you to snap, yell, or be short with those around you. Your struggles are not an invitation to incite struggles with those around you. In the most difficult times, those around you support you; they are not there to be your punching bag (and visa versa). During those hard days, give yourself and others a little extra bandwidth to be down; however, always draw the line when it comes to being mean or hurtful. Share your struggles, complain about your terrible day, vent if you have to, and don’t make your bad day someone else’s bad day.
Challenge:
- Manage your upsets in ways that are honoring of you and non-hurtful to others.
- Give yourself the time and space to regroup when necessary; give others the space to do the same.
- Always remember that you never know what is going on for those around you, so be kind and ensure others are kind towards you.
- On those truly tough days, remember that all bad days come to an end, so hang in there and remind yourself that today’s bad day is just a moment in time (M.I.T.); it will pass.