In writing this first article of mine, I figured, why not choose something that we all have in common? Days! Whether it’s a Monday, a Thursday or anything in-between, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s a day. The question however, is how exactly to have a good one. My answers are as followed: *
* Restrictions apply. Results may vary.
1. Early to bed, early to rise. It’s sad, but true. (But who doesn’t love to stay up all night binge watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives?) The early bird catches the worm. What’s even more sad is how difficult it can be to actually get a full night’s sleep before rising and shining and not hitting snooze. In college especially, once you’re home from school, work, or both, have virtually no time left in the day and become accustomed to doing homework until the break of dawn, the problematic cycle can be a challenging one to break. If you’re up for the challenge though, try it for a day! And then another… and another…
2. Food, water, atmosphere. If even just a grape fresh from the vine, a banana peeled to your likeness, one watermelon fresh from the manure field… (Spongebob
reference, anyone?) (I’m half-kidding.) I know you woke up late, but try to fuel yourself as best you can with what little time you have. I’m no expert, but I know for a fact that lunch and dinner are not the most important meals of the day.
3. Smile. In the mirror, at a stranger, at a familiar face or dog, smile even when there’s nothing to smile about. Smile if you’re bored or have no facial expressions going on at the moment. Smile because smiling actively promotes happiness. Your facial muscles literally contracting into a smile will never make you more upset.
4. Optimism is the new black. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that so many things can (and will) go wrong throughout your day. That being said, in order to have a good day, pessimism is simply not an option. You forgot your headphones? Cool, now you can listen to the early birds singing about catching their worms. You dropped your thing? That’s great, that means the gravity is working. You’re just plain sad? Nice, your emotions are working too. Optimism, I’ve learned, is truly a “practice makes perfect” kind of deal. Remembering that you are literally the only person in control of how you think, act, react, etc., helps.
5. Realize reality. Looking back at this day you’ve just had, early bird or not, no matter if you skipped breakfast, forgot to smile, kept a closed mind or all of the above, realize that, for now, no matter what, you've gotten through this one and will just get another tomorrow.
