Getting through tougher days.

When I know I have a hard day ahead, what is my game plan? Do I let the day’s burdens define my mood? Do I elect the day a bad one, or do I take on the challenge to make it the best possible?


A day as gloomy as a funeral or memorial. As challenging as a child or pet’s scheduled surgery. Tasks as small as a blood test or a job I feel anxious about can get the best of me if I’m not focused on overcoming the day. So what do I do when I wake up on a day I know will be more challenging than most?


I start with affirmations. Remind myself of all I know and all I am. That when I believe in myself, I always shine through. That today is filled with a myriad of moments. While some of today might be challenging, there is always room for a smile. I can carry with me happy memories, hopeful thoughts, and a collection of tools I’ve been equipped with from my last hard days. The days I’ve survived, I learned from and I grew because of.


I can encourage the lion inside of me. Hear my roar and listen to the power and courage I so bravely hold onto. Survival depends on my ability to believe in myself. Show off my strong sides today and address my wounds tomorrow. Ignite the flame that burns within me to carry light through these darker hours. I offer compassion to my soft spots. Tend to the parts of me that need love and understanding. I am a warrior. There isn’t anything too big or too scary I can’t fight through. With my attitude on my side, which it always is, I’m unbreakable. With my feet on the ground and my eyes looking forward, I’m solid.


While my mentality is usually to cry when crying feels necessary, I take a closer observation to what that means. Crying feels healthy when it’s to maintain balance. When emotions are bottled up and need release. On heavier days filled deep with emotion and tense with pressure, it’s more complicated to stay in tune with how much crying remains in balance. It’s easier to let the scale dip in the sea of blue that these harder days hover close to. When I cry, I wipe my tears with passion. Impacted by the metaphor of cleaning up my own pain. My hurt no longer needs to stream down my face, but can be transformed into strength. Transformed into desire for freedom. Power literally in my own hands.


I am whatever mood I set the tone for. Yes, my day could look to set a tone that’s different from what I want, but my day is not in charge of my mind. I can see each and every moment through sparkly eyes. Dark moments might stay dark, but I can be the light that guides me through. My path has the opportunity to stay lit. It is how I handle each moment and how I carry myself to the moments that come next. I can put on my favorite song and mope while it plays in the background, or sing along and dance with it. It’s my choice, it’s always my choice. I choose to sing and dance, I choose to feel alive. Alive through the good times and alive through the bad.