The Bad Day Remedy

I like to believe that I’m an open book kinda gal. The girl who is super outgoing all the time, the girl who can share anything without a flick of concern or insecurity, but quite frankly, I know I’m not. I have moments where I can be that open-book, but I would be lying if I said I was open all the time. Probably because I like to keep some secrets close to my heart or maybe because I like to be a little bit of a mystery... Or maybe it’s because I’m weird (yes, this is definitely why) and until I have complete trust in people I don’t want them to know how quirky I actually am. But a good friend reminded me this week that madness is genius and we should all share the madness that’s inside of us all. For it was a bit of madness that I shared with her a few months ago that she got through a rough week, and that made me realize we should never convince ourselves that our ideas, dreams, and stories aren’t important to others because they certainly are. So that’s what led me here to write about a certain idea of mine, a theory if you will.

I never really thought much of it. It was a routine that I made up when I was seventeen that made me feel better on rough days when I thought my world was falling apart (gasp, another dramatic teenager). But I never thought to share it with others, it’s kinda weird and I can’t let people know I’m weird right? Haha well I broke that rule on a November night when I saw that good friend in my hall. With a frustrated frown she told she was having a bad day. Now people who know me best know that there is nothing I love more than giving advice. I love listening and love helping people solve their problems, but sometimes I don’t always have the answers and have to resort to a plan B. Well in this case my plan B was telling this lovely girl this routine of mine. Slightly embarrassed, I kept my eyes down and told her the steps of my process and the reasoning of each one. I told her the magic it can have even with its simplicity. I told her that sometimes we can’t solve our bad days but we can do things to help us get through them. I told her these things despite the fact that I felt foolish and well, weird. But as I finished I looked up, and to my surprise I saw tears in her eyes telling me, “That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.” And from then on, I decided that this remedy was meant to be shared. Despite it’s silliness, it’s a routine that anyone can do to fix up a crummy day.

 It’s called the Bad Day Remedy.

The Bad Day Remedy is composed of three necessary steps, beginning with
 1. go get a Diet Coke. Substitutions are acceptable so if you are DP lover go for it but it is essential that you get a soda. It’s all about that fizz in that first sip of soda that can settle your upset heart, calm anger, and gradually stop the tears. It’s simply soothing and delicious. Mock me if you will, call me another Holladay girl who loves her DC (I embrace the judgment), but I promise you won’t be mocking after you give it a try.

  2. get a cookie. I may have a slight obsession with the countless memories that include cookies, or maybe I’m just in love with their deliciousness, but nonetheless they are my favorite. Cookies remind me of baking days with my mom talking about anything and everything. They remind of cold New York days, sitting on the curb with my brothers, fresh cookies warming our frozen hands. They remind me of the summer that my brother and I spent creating/perfecting the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie recipe. They remind me of simple, happy moments and reassure me on bad days that no matter how hard or bitter life may seem, there’s still sweetness to be experienced

**I prefer chocolate chip but pick whatever cookie but pick whatever makes your heart happy 

  3. talk with someone you love. This is the last, if not the, most important step of conquering a bad day. Take it from someone who often struggles relying on people- life is ten times easier and better when you allow yourself to ask for help. So turn to those that deep down you know will help you conquer what you're facing. Because when it’s all said and done, the reasoning of getting through your bad day will be because of those lovely people. Talk it out, cry it out, and laugh it out to those you love the very most. But possibly the best conversation you can choose to have will be with God. Because sometimes even the best drink and cookie can’t fix your bad day, but he always can.

And that’s the bad day remedy. Simple but sure to work. Despite how much we dread bad days, I believe that they are needed every once in awhile. Bad days aren’t meant to ruin us but rather humble us. Their intent is to give us a reality check of what’s important and what’s not, a chance to turn our hearts to Heavenly Father and seek his counsel and love. Never forget to look from his perspective of what he wants us to gain or learn on those particular rough days as well.

So the next time a bad day comes around and you can’t help but look up at the sky and ask “why me?”, just try out this magic remedy that has yet to fail me… even it sounds, well, weird.  I once thought it was weird too until I shared it with my friend that November night.

That same girl came knocking on my door the other night with another bad day story to tell. This time she kept her head down until she finished then looked up and said, “…but guess what? I tried your remedy, and it really did work.” This time I had tears in my eyes and thought, 

“that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.” 

You'll get through those bad days, never fear, they actually will end. And never forget- You are smarter than you think, stronger than feel, and more loved than you realize. Bad days got nothing on you.

 Love Always, 

Lauren