Bad days — we all have them. When one thing goes wrong after another, it is so hard to not throw our hands up in the air and ask, Why me? When bad things are so close to you, it's hard to see the bigger picture. All your focus and energy is on the negativity that is occurring right in front of you. However, when looking at the bigger picture, the positivity and blessings that are in your life become visible. Here are some simple things you can do to make yourself ask Why me? Why am I so lucky?
1. Stare at the sunset.
So many things in this life are temporary, and more often than not, we find happiness in these temporary things — food, relationships, looks. These things change every day. They can end in the blink of an eye. One thing we can always count on is the sun setting. Staring at the beautiful reds and yellows, knowing that you will undoubtedly have this again tomorrow, just makes you smile. Sunsets have a way of reminding us that endings can be beautiful.
2. Listen to "Remix to Ignition" by R. Kelly.
First off, I do not know anyone who doesn't want to sing along to this song. What people don't know, however, is that the beat in this jam is proven to help with anxiety. The beats relax us, while getting us caught up in the song. It would be hard to complain about life when "it's the freakin' weekend, and you're about to have you some fun."
3. Start your day with breakfast — a big one full of your favorites.
Everyone knows that breakfast gives you energy throughout the day, fueling you up and starting you off right. However, having a big, tasty breakfast first thing in the morning can also set your mind up to realizing how lucky you really are. Not everyone in this world can say, "I had french toast with whipped cream this morning." Remember that you were able to start your day by eating your favorite food, and it will make you think twice before complaining.
4. Watch an episode of "Friends" ... or ten.
"Friends" is one of the greatest series of all time. It reminds us that no matter how many times we mess up, no matter how many things go wrong in life, there will still be plenty of laughs shared with amazing people by our side. Not to mention, Joey's comments and Phoebe's antics will always put a smile on our face at any time of the day.
5. Or watch military homecomings.
Seeing a young girl getting surprised by her father who has been in the military for years will bring chills to your body. Seeing her breakdown in tears of joy and run into his arms after months away will help you remember that life is beautiful. There are amazing people fighting for our country, and amazing relationships to be made in this life.
6. Swim.
In a pool, in a pond, in an ocean. Swimming is so easy to do. Feeling weightless in a huge body of water can remind us how small our problems really are when it comes to the big picture.
7. Turn off your phone every now and then.
One of the hardest things to do, yet one of the most beneficial. Our phones tend to just complicate things. From texting people back to checking social media every 10 seconds, it all just adds a lot of stress to our lives. By turning our phones off, we return to a life of simplicity, focusing on the little things that came before technology.
There is so much happiness when it comes to simple things. Pet a dog. Stare at flowers. Eat fruit. When you focus on simple things, the mess and the complications of life tend to fade away. Next time you are stressed, remember to try the seven ideas above. Remember how lucky you are, and shut up and smile.
