Fabulous Self Care Tips for Days that Suck

We all experience days that just suck, and self care for days that suck is what is most needed. Not a drink, or a bag of chips, but self care. I have had these days in January and February. Where I just feel like my life is a total joke. That I can’t do anything well enough. And those days suck. And honestly, I’m tired of having those days! Because they suck and I don’t want to waste any more days feeling sorry for myself when I’ve really nothing to be down about. So I am going to start taking part of those days to practice some very specific self care.

Practicing Mindfulness

This is hard for a lot of us, me included. It’s hard to be mindful because your mind and emotions become tangled up and wind you up into over drive. It’s important on a day when you’re just not feeling yourself, when you’re beating yourself up and wondering why you even bother getting out of bed in the morning, to take a deep breath and be mindful. Focus on something that was good today. Was it your morning coffee? A text from a friend or partner? A cuddle session with a beloved pet. Spend some time remembering that and expressing gratitude. Then maybe dive into some of my other tips. And FYI, this is a practice I am going to begin on my rough days that suck.

Related Posts: 5 Simple Ways to Practice Self Care

Take a Break and Do Something You Love on Days that Suck

Honestly, sometimes we push ourselves too hard. We get hyper focused on our tasks, or end goals, and really we should be enjoying the moment. Focusing on the now. So when your day starts to suck because you’re thinking about that end goal (maybe losing 25 pounds, or gaining 200,00 subscribers, or making enough at your at home job to quit your day job) just remember that the goals you should be focused on are the ones you can achieve now. Like writing that blog post. And then, take a break and do something you love. Read for an hour. Walk your dog. Paint, draw, bake. Whatever it is that will draw your attention away from the sucky thoughts and feelings and provide some calm and clarity.

Reward Yourself

You might have only done a couple of things today that you wanted to, and think that this is just another one of those days that suck. But step back and remind yourself that even if you only got two of five tasks accomplished, that you did get some of those goals checked off your list. Reward yourself–with a mental pat on the back, a small piece of chocolate, or by taking five minutes to listen to your favourite song with the volume way too loud. Whatever makes you feel good!

Do Something Nice for Yourself

It’s one of those days that suck right? So do something nice for yourself instead of moping around. Maybe give yourself a manicure or pedicure, or a facial. A bubble bath is a nice way to treat yourself too. Or, do something crafty like knit, colour or doodle in your bullet journal. You could even buy yourself flowers, or head over to the bookstore or library and get something new to read. Try a new make up look. Sometimes we just need to be kind to ourselves. I have to start doing this a little more because pushing through isn’t helpful or productive.

Helping Others to Turn Around Days that Suck

So this is not your day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make someone’s else day. Offer to help out someone–it could be a friend, a family member, a neighbour. You could be a shoulder to cry on, or maybe help with some chores or errands that individual can’t do. Perhaps sign up to help out a local animal recuse. Acts of kindness and “good works” to use a Christian phrase really help us come out of ourselves and feel better about ourselves because we are connecting with others. We realize their value and importance, and recognize the same within ourselves.

And remember, Tomorrow is Another Day

If you’ve ever watched or read Gone with the Wind, you’ll know that this is Scarlett O’Hara’s tag line when things go bad. When the chips are down, Scarlett reminds herself that tomorrow is another day, another day to turn things around, a fresh new day to realize those goals and ambitions and dreams. And it’s true. You can’t accomplish everything in one day. Focus on the goals you accomplished today. Or can accomplish today. Tomorrow is another day to reach another small goal. All these small goals will add up to a big victory goal one day. It did for Scarlett–and your story doesn’t have to go as south as hers does.

What are some things do you do when your day isn’t going well? Share in the comments below.