We all have them. The days where we aren’t ourselves. The days when nothing comes together the way we’d like. The days when we want to throw in the towel. A bad day can take you by surprise or show up right on schedule.
For me that day was yesterday, and every 28 days from yesterday I have another bad day. I have an infusion every 28 days to help slow and stop Multiple Sclerosis from attacking my body. The day after is my bad day. It’s a dull hangover without the amazing party the day before.
While I start to physically feel better by noon, the afternoon seems to last forever, nothing gets done and I forget that I will feel better tomorrow. My brain knows it’s a medicine thing, but my heart forgets and can’t understand why I can’t write, or think clearly. My spirit and spunk and creativity is shot. On some bad days I fight through, on others, I give in.
Bad days can be fueled from the inside or the out, and while happiness is a choice, the occasional bad day is bound to appear. I feel fortunate that I can schedule my bad day each month, but when you can’t, you can be armed with a few helpful tips to make the bad day better.
When you have a bad day
- Be Kind. Treat yourself as kindly as you treat someone you love on their bad day.
- Cancel things. If you have a jam-packed calendar on your bad day, do a little shuffling and give yourself room to recover.
- Keep things in perspective. This to shall pass. Instead of getting lost in the drama of your bad day, remind yourself that you’ll be feeling better soon.
- Call a friend. Don’t call to complain or commiserate, call to say hello. Call to say I love you.
- Move it. If you are up for it, take a walk or engage in vigorous exercise. A little heart racing might pull you out of your slump.
- Nap. Maybe moving isn’t the right answer, but instead rest and recovery call your name. Close the blinds. Close your eyes. Take a nap.
- Laugh. Read or watch something funny if it’s available.
- Trust. You know what’s best for your body. Don’t dismiss that intuition.
- Give. If you have the energy, work on something for someone else. It will help you to think of someone besides yourself.
- Give in. If you are tired, rest. If you are sad, cry. Give your body and brain exactly what they need.
This week I had my 63rd infusion and 63 days that were not so hot (some better than others). I could complain about all that I’ve missed during those 63 days, but instead I can only be grateful. I’m grateful for my health and grateful for my many good days.
Even the most optimistic, joyful people have a bad day. It doesn’t make you weak to admit you are suffering. The best thing about a bad day is when the next morning washes over and you can really enjoy and appreciate the good life.
I’m glad that you are on the other side of this month’s bad day. Your positive outlook and acceptance of them is amazing. I suspect this post will be a much needed reminder to many of us.
How are you doing otherwise? I think of you often and enjoy reading your thoughtful posts.
Genesis, I think of you too! Feel free to email and let me know what you are up to. I hope you are feeling well and having more good days than bad.
xoxo,
Courtney
Great post! Thanks for the suggestions.
Wishing you even more happy and healthy days,
Tammie~
Back atcha Tammie!
It’s always wise to give yourself permission to do whatever it takes to get to the place where comfort is. A good cry, a good laugh, a time out from pushing your limits.
Reading your post is another wake-up call to me; I take my health for granted too much.
Courtney, please let me know when you next round is so I can be praying for you.
Stay strong and thank you for sharing your day,
Cathy
Thanks for revealing this part of yourself, Courtney. I have a chronic illness, too, and it puts me on the liver transplant list. I never know what kind of day I’m going to have and I have learned to roll with it. And I have recently started walking as many days a week as I can – just for the joy of being outside and receiving healing from the natural world. I’m not recommending it. There have been long months when I wasn’t able to do that. I read your blog to lift me up – and it almost always does. When I don’t have the energy to clean my apt., then I spend time organizing it. It really does pay off to “Be More With Less”. Thanks for being you. I’m sure you touch a lot of lives in very positive ways – you have affected my life for the better!
Once a month, every month on a Wednesday, I am with you…m
Thanks for this awesome post. I, too, have been trying to focus on the things I am grateful for instead of focusing on the pain. I am only a couple of weeks from a spinal fusion and it’s easy to get down in the dumps. Focusing on how fortunate I am can snap me out of it. Other times, I just need a good cry or a long nap. I’ll put you on my prayer list for your future infusions.
Yes, but when one needs to go to work and has to debug software and sometimes hardware problems or have program or project done it is hard to do most of your list.
My last 2 days were bad days due to not being able to sleep and then my brain goes dead while my body is at least looking like it is awake.
Now my wife can fully relate to your post with all the meds she takes and her condition somewhat like MS only worse from what I know.
Then there are the other bad days when things just don’t seem to go right. I take one thing at a time and that is about all that can be done.
Nice post. I need to learn to focus on the positive and not the problems.
What an inspirational post 🙂
Thanks for sharing, I will remember your words next time I have a bad day,xxx
Your post is both familiar and inspiring. I have recieved infusions every 4 weeks for about 8 years and, for me, those days are inspiring, hopeful, and exhausting. I don’t have MS but neurological issues run in both sides of my family- my aunt lived w/ MS for nearly 30 years, one grandfather died of Parkinson’s, and the other is battling Alhzeimer’s. My mom has trigeminal neuralgia and among my chronic diagnosis list is cervicular ridiculopathy and chronic sciatica. My primary diagnosis is lupus complicated by sjogrens and vitiligo. Your post described me and how my post-infusion days can be…..I just wanted to say I admire your ability and willingness to share this part of who you are and in doing so I feel you have helped others who may come across your blog to feel a bit less alone.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so encouraging!
Thank you for sharing your post. I loved your suggestions and look forward to utilising them when I am next faced with my bad day. For me it is often just an opportunity to step back, take a deep breath and just really take a break. My experience is my bad days are reminders to do a quick take on my pace and my schedule. Am I doing too much? Am I taking time for me?
” Thank you so much for the article . .
I really had an awful day today and this is helpful . .
So Thank You !! ” 💙