Okay real talk, I am writing this blog post for me today more than anyone else. It’s nearly 5pm on a Tuesday in the middle of school (and the beginning of a holiday week) and truth be told, I am struggling today.

I feel so off my regular works schedule and as much as I want to embrace it, it stresses me out. I have heard my name called one too many times today and I feel like if I hear it one more time the tears will come flowing down my face because Lord knows, I just need one hour where I feel like I am by myself. The mom guilt is real in the summer. The work guilt is real in the summer. The short holiday weeks have a way of being fun and overwhelming because of what feels like lack of time and ya’ll, I am just having a day.

I should have known when it took me not one, not two but three times to make my coffee this morning.

Yep, three freaking times.

The first time I forgot to put a k-cup in so I just got hot water in my warmed creamer. Then the coffee pot ran out of water half way through filling up my second cup and by the third I almost gave up but wanted that coffee too bad to do so.

Honestly, I know I have so much to be thankful for and part of my is just whining but, I am also a big believer in acknowledging your feelings and when you are having a bad day and hi, my name is Kate and today is kicking my butt.

But, instead of continuing to sit in it and ruin the rest of my evening, I am going to take some time to make some mindset shifts and remember that tomorrow is a new day full of new opportunities and a fresh start. And I thought, I would share with you today literally in the midst of me doing it how you can choose joy even in the midst of a crazy, stressful just downright annoying day.

So without further ago let’s dive into 4 ways that you can choose joy today….

1. Brain Dump // You weren’t expecting me to start with that were you? But, I really believe that half of overwhelm is feeling like we can’t work fast enough on our to do list and there are so many open tabs in our brains. So, brain dump it all. Whether you do it on paper or the screen it doesn’t matter — write everything down that comes to mind until it feels clear. Then, take a minute to be thankful that you GET TO do these things. Sure you probably have to do some of them but, some people would kill to be able to do any of it so focusing on the privilege we have to have plates this full will help shift your mindset and start seeing things as positive and less overwhelming.

2. Listen to music or your favorite show // When I am feeling like the day is just really sucking (lol should I say that? sometimes suck is just the right word, don’t tell your toddler) it always always always lifts my spirit to watch a favorite show or listen to my favorite music. Today, I chose old school country when we were running errands and I watched Crazy Rich Asians as I worked because I love that movie and both just made me so much happier.

3. Exercise // Okay, this is the answer to literally everything I know but really, a walk or run, a 15 minute Peloton class or whatever you like that moves your body will really help with that dopamine hit you are looking for. I know it is cliche but you will never regret working out and 9 times out of 10 you will feel better overall, physically and mentally which will help you in choosing joy in the mundane of the day that is ticking you off (or on really great days too).

4. Gratitude Journal // I really believe that joy is choice that we get to make. Not everyday will be happy or joyful but, we always have things to be thankful for and that should bring joy to our day. Sometimes, we just need a little reminder of what that is that we are grateful for so journal it, write it down and remember it’s a bad day, not a bad life.

5. Do something that makes you happy // As I am typing this, I am thinking about the banana pudding that I am going to make when I am done. I love to cook or bake something when I am not feeling great because it gets me out of my head and it makes me (and my family) happy to have a special dessert or meal on an ordinary day. Whatever makes you happy, do it — go get your nails done, call a friend, read a book, whatever that means for you add some happy in your day but doing something that you really really enjoy even if it is just for 30 minutes.

Practicing joy takes just that, practice. It is a muscle that we need to flex often and I hope that these simple tools and reminders will help you shift your mindset in the days that feel great and not so great. And remember, you are only human, we can all only do and handle so much and sometimes it takes doing none of these, getting a good nights sleep and starting again tomorrow after some rest and that is fine too! Be gentle with yourself and remember, I am always rooting you on…