12 ways to rescue a bad day!

Looking back to this morning, I should have known today would be a challenging day. A day that started with a toddler crying at 5:30 because she couldn't find Cinderella, followed by discovering no milk in the fridge, and entering a traffic jam within minutes of leaving the house. Challenging. But alas, I am not known for giving up! This day can be saved, even as I sit here wondering how to break it to Isabel, once she gets back from swimming, that I let Daisy play with her video camera Barbie, and she broke it.

So I will share with you my ideas that have worked well in the past, in the hope that something will turn this day around. And perhaps help someone else in the process.

1. A hot shower or bath. Ahhhh. And pjs.

2. Wine and take away. Once the kids are all in bed. It's almost like a date night! [For those of us who can't go out anymore. If you can - why aren't you!!!!!!!]

3. Shake it off! And dance! It's especially fun with kids because they can be really funny dancers. Or you could turn the music up and sing along- especially helpful when stuck in the kitchen or kids are 'disagreeing.'

4. Have a cup of tea. Or any hot drink really. Just take a moment to regroup and make a mental plan to move forward. 

5. Go and spend time outdoors. Watch the waves crash on the shore, river flow, or walk along beside trees in a quiet space.

6. Do something intentionally for someone else with no expectation of anything to be given in return. Impossible not to smile after deliberate kindness.

7. Hugs. Kids, partner, whoever! 

8. Get some perspective. How does this day fit with your whole life? Is it really that big a deal? Take a step back and look at everything that is going on around you.

9. Reframe the day. Go back over the day reframing the events. For example: this morning Daisy woke me up at 5:30 to find Cinderella. Thankfully I had a spare in the cupboard a few steps from my bed. I was able to help her calm down quickly. Fairy godmother at your service right here!

10. Give someone else a genuine compliment. Even if your day feels like a bit of a disaster, it will not feel completely lost if you have made someone else's day.

11. Write down, or mentally note, a few things you are thankful for when looking back over your day. For me: driving home a bit late meant that I experienced every minute of sunset! Looking out over the Illawarra from the top of Bulli Pass with an almost completely pink sky and purple-blue water beyond was amazing.

12. Go to bed. Sleep. Everything always looks better in the morning.

Have you tried any of these? What are your best ideas for rescuing a bad day?

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Jen.x