Yesterday was a classic Monday. I’m not one to normally despise Monday’s but this one was rough for a few reasons. 1) It rained all. day. long. 2) I had such a “blah” attitude and I wasn’t overly excited about anything. 3) I didn’t feel confident with my body. Woah, where did that one come from?
Yes, I, a typically self-loving and confident person was not feeling so great about myself. This was not the first time either (far from it). We all have those days that, for whatever reason, nothing feels right. For me, this was one of those “whatever reason” days. I couldn’t pinpoint why I was feeling off and was tempted to throw myself a pity party. Oh, I’m so bloated. My stomach hurts. I wish I could do ______. I should be doing ______.
The truth is I’m not invincible when it comes to poor body image or self-doubt. As much as I wish I could feel confident 24/7, that’s just not the case. In fact, I find it idealistic to think these bad days don’t occasionally happen to everyone. Male, female, tall, short, curves in the “right” places, legs like Gisele, long hair, short hair, old, young, you get the point…
I feel like there’s some crazy idea that if your body looks a certain way you are immune to those bad thoughts. No one is immune to those thoughts. I’m sure Gisele gets those thoughts. If you ever talk to her, ask her and let me know. But the crucial difference is knowing better than to let “one of those days” turn into “one of those weeks/months/years.” Honestly, sometimes it takes me more than a day to get out of this funk because there’s no set timeline. Additionally, as many blog posts and advice articles there may be about “getting out of a funk” or “loving your body” it’s so individual and unmethodical that it feels silly to even try to make up a list.
So, yeah, I have days like yesterday when my pants fit a little snugger and my body feels more bloated than normal, but it doesn’t mean I should have done something drastic. After acknowledging how I felt I went about my normal day and didn’t alter my habits based on how I felt. I ate normally and worked out a normal amount (actually less than normal). All of this is easier said than done, but I hope one day it comes second nature to me and everyone in the world. Don’t dwell on those negative feelings. You are awesome. We are awesome. Shake it off and move on.
I had another post planned for today but felt inclined to jot down my thoughts on this topic and “think out loud” on a Tuesday instead of a Thursday (I’m crazy, I know). I work better blogging in real-time and this is my life at the moment. Not perfect but knowing that this too shall pass. I know this is not the most coherent or well-written post but that’s probably an effect of “one of those days.” Good thing that we all have those days every now and then.
Love the truthfulness in this post!!! We all have bad days and it’s uncommon to not have one! Thanks for sharing :)
athleticavocado recently posted…Amazing Granola Recipes Roundup!
Thank you! As cliche as it sounds, it felt good to write out my feelings.
You’re so right. Regardless of what you look like, you have (and are totally entitled to have) “those days”. What matters is that you bounce back and realize you are awesome, you look fabulous, and that you were just having a bad day. I hope today is better! :)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…First Year Finished
Thanks, Ellen! It took me another day to get out of the funk but I’m MUCH better today. Happy Wednesday!
<3 <3 <3 We all have those days and like you said, the best thing to do is accept it and not let it turn into weeks, months or years. It is always good to look back and see what might have caused it and if you went around your normal day as usual, then there is really nothing more to do then accept that off day and keep on smiling :)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Avocado & Black Bean Quesadillas
Exactly. I couldn’t pinpoint one thing so I just chalked it up to an “off day.” Sometimes it’s hard to accept that there’s no specific reason, but that seems to be the case often!
Ugh I’m sorry you had one of those days but you handled it in the best way possible! The heat makes us bloated and feel kind of gross, but as you said, it DOES pass if you don’t let it ruin your week or month. I hope today is better for you!
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I’m glad I have this post as evidence that those days DO pass because I’m feeling much more like myself today :)
Ugh I’m sorry girl. Those days are such bummers, and I definitely feel like sometimes the weather plays a big factor in my mood. I tend to want to nap, be more independent on rainy, icky days. And sometimes I get trapped within my own thoughts of judging myself. Those days are okay and totally normal, and I’m glad you were able to handle it and bounce back quickly. Here’s to hoping you’re having a better day :)
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I am such a weather snob (and I know it’s bad) and my mood definitely correlates to the weather at times. Today has been much better!
Beautifully written. I am sorry you were feeling that way but you’re right — it’s stuff everyone thinks about and feels from time to time. I am happy, however, that you recognized that what you were feeling was normal and you were able to reflect on that. I hope you feel a little better today and that you have a great week!
xx
Paola Angeli recently posted…My Last Weekend in Miami | Summer Wedding & Internship Update
Thank you, Paola. I’m glad I am at a place where I can recognize that those feelings are normal and do go away. Now I have this post as a reminder!
I’ve learned that even though we all have those bad days, it’s up to you to just smile & remind yourself how beautiful of a person you are both inside and out. Sure it’s easier said than done, but at the end of the day – it’s what has alway worked for me. Thanks for being honest and sharing yesterdays events with us. <3
Jessie recently posted…Meal Plan + Rambles
That’s exactly what I tried to do :) There are so many things to be happy about and thinking about them took my mind off the “blah” feeling.
Unfortunately, having “those days” is something that a lot of us experience- myself included. In an ideal world we’d always be able to keep a positive body image all the time, but, like you said, none of us are immune to it. I feel like all you can really do is try to minimize these bad days and to not deprive yourself out of guilt or frustration. Thanks for being so real and sharing this! I think all of us need to be reminded sometimes that it’s (sadly) normal to feel down about yourself occasionally, but we shouldn’t let that get us down or cause us to change our normal definition of healthy by over-excerising or under-eating.
Christine@ Apple of My Eye recently posted…Finding My “Me Time”
I love what you said here. It’s sad how normal it is to feel bad about ourselves occasionally. But you’re right- those temporary feelings shouldn’t result in a drastic behavior change.
We do all have those days! That’s what does make us human! If you never had a bad day…you would be a robot, I’m sure of it ;) But we can start over the next day and realize just how amazing life is and how blessed we are to be living it! XOXOXO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Yoga Is Not Simply Yoga
No robot here. Lots of rough days and emotions. But so much to be grateful for :)
We all have these days and sometimes they last longer than a day and that is just really annoying! We are way too hard on ourselves way too often. It comes in waves and I wish I didn’t have to have these days, but they happen. I am still working on how to handle them, but working on them is better than doing nothing…right? Thanks for speaking out loud on Tuesday! ;)
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…She ROCKS Coconut Flour Waffles
Oh yes, it’s very annoying when one day turns into two days. Happened to me this week. You’re right- we are so hard on ourselves and I’m very guilty of feeling like my emotions and experiences are NOT normal (but they are). Thanks for your sweet words!
Your comments about not altering your habits based on your mood really resonated with me. For too long, I accepted my feelings as the absolute truth and let them dictate my actions. Now, if I’m having an “off” day I will try harder to shake the feeling by reaching out to my support system, a little self-care like painting my nails or eating some dark chocolate, and making sure I at least do some yoga or go for a walk. I hope today was better than yesterday and that your week will take an upward turn :)
Living With Zest recently posted…It Doesn’t Have to be Shakespeare
I’m so glad you could relate to this. I do the exact same self-care things. I talked to my both family and a friend on the phone and made a good dinner of my favorite foods. Today as been much better and I’m looking forward to the weekend :)
Another post about exactly how I’m feeling! I tend to retain water after a marathon, and it’s easy to start a spiral – if I “gain” weight after a race, I might as well eat all the ice cream too! It’s important to know it’s just a phase and to keep doing what I’m doing.
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Wow, same wavelength! You’re right- it’s just a phase and it WILL pass. Everything falls into place (as cliche as that sounds).
Yep! Glad to see you have such a great attitude about it though. The difference between “just one of those days,” versus weeks/ months/ years, like you said, is crucial. Thanks for sharing!
Julie @ Making Mindfulness recently posted…Catching Up & Slowing Down
Thanks you, Julie! I’m happy that I can accept a bad day every now and then and not let it spiral out of control.
Thank you for being so honest. I had one of those days today.. My pants definitely fit a lot different (at least in my eyes) but I still ate normally and didn’t workout. I find that I just had no ambition to push myself to do anything when I have these feelings.
Alexa @ The Mindful Maritimer recently posted…Nice Cream may not be Ice Cream but it’s definetely nice
I’m sorry you had one of those days too. Whenever I get in that funk my motivation drains too and I just want to rest. Sometimes that’s best. Hope tomorrow is better!