We all have good days and bad days, right? Sometimes we jump out of bed ready to tackle the day ahead. Other times we go to work simply as part of routine. And then there are ‘those’ days, the ones where you drag yourself out of bed and the thought of going to work seems impossible.
In the midst of one such day, frustrated with myself, I turned to Google for help. For once, it completely failed me. All it had to say was ‘Take a break’, ‘Go for a walk’, ‘Rethink your work’.
I had none of those options. I just had to go to work that day. So what does one do make a day like that better?
I decided to come up with a list, a short one but it is something, and I hope it helps when you’re in a not-good space.
Dress well
On usual days, getting ready is a pretty mechanical process but on bad days I make an effort. The first thing I do is pick from my ‘good’ clothes, something I do not regularly wear for work. It might be a shirt I’d bought recently or one I’d kept away for special occasions or even a well-worn comfortable one that I feel specially good in. I might give myself a leisurely hair wash or wear my favourite perfume. Making the effort makes me feel happy, takes away the attention from the day ahead and sets the tone for a good start.
Get a treat
No matter what the problem food is always the answer. While a special chai or a coffee works for me, I pick up small treats for the girls at work – vada paos, samosas, doughnuts or pastries. I enjoy their surprise. Also, starting the day at a leisurely pace eating and drinking together (just tea and coffee, okay?) lifts all our spirits.
Tackle the easy tasks
If I do have the luxury, I put away the challenging tasks. Instead, I tackle everyday routine jobs. That gives me the satisfaction of ticking things off my to-do list without much effort and puts me in a good frame of mind readying it for the tougher jobs.
Focus on the little things while also seeing the big picture
That seems contradictory. What I mean is I make myself mindful of the little joys while at the same time stepping back a little bit and being grateful for life from a larger perspective.
For instance, I consciously enjoy small everyday happinesses — like the pleasant weather (Pune is kind, in this regard) or listening to music as I drive, finding a good parking spot or the way those sensory lights light up as I drive in.
At the same time I broaden my perspective, I remind myself what a mess I would have been without a place to go to every day. Work has been a saviour with H and N caught up in their lives.
Fake it till you make it
So I’ve been doing an online yoga class for a month and every week we have a day dedicated to laughter. I used to find that forced laughter really silly, I still do and I find it hard to laugh out loud for no reason. But I do see the value in the ‘Fake it till you make it’ philosophy. If I fix a smile on my face when I walk into work, I get so many real smiles in return that mine turns into a genuine one. And one cannot really remain annoyed or unhappy when one is smiling, right?
So there, that’s what I do. If you have a tip to share write in, please. It will be much appreciated.