#WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE QUOTES HOW TO#

The old adage rings true: the greater the effort, the sweeter the reward. Likewise, walking in the rain requires more preparation than heading outside on a sunny day.

#WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE QUOTES HOW TO#

And, as I walked in the rain with my happy, babbling girl, I remembered how much that mindset helped me in the past, and how much I could benefit from it in 2022.Ī similar idea that I read in an end-of-year reflection resonated with me: “Everything seemed to take a little more effort than it otherwise would in non-pandemic times.” Everything, from recalling how to be social to smaller acts like remembering to grab a mask before heading out, seems to take more work. Whenever these actions did spark a moment of happiness – even if it was fleeting, amid an otherwise miserable existence – I tried to acknowledge it, to celebrate it, to take note that all was not lost.įollowing this motto enabled me to focus on the precious things under my control. But the beach day with friends was a pretty excellent consolation. If I was living my best life, I would have spent the day celebrating with Jamie. We popped a bottle of champagne, splashed in the waves and quietly watched the sunset from the shore, one of us breaking the silence every so often to comment on how unexpected life can be. Instead of spending the day alone, I went to the beach with a group of close friends. I took this approach on what would have been my and Jamie’s ninth wedding anniversary. I was sad, but I could attempt to cheer myself up with a warm bath and soothing music. I was angry, but I could channel those feelings through a sweaty night of volleyball. I was lonely, but I could take myself out on a nice date every once in a while. I did this in small ways, one day or moment at a time. Instead of wishing for a reality I couldn’t have, I embraced the shitty circumstances I was dealt. Living my worst life, the best that I could, allowed me to accept my current situation while also making the most of it. What started as a silly catchphrase became a lifeline for me – a way of getting through an otherwise brutal time. Meanwhile, I was living the life of a heartbroken young widow, grieving and grasping for any sense of normalcy.Īnd so, I vowed to live my worst life, the best that I can. I hated the way that people flaunted their seemingly perfect existences, from their boastful vacation photos to their saccharine anniversary posts. I was annoyed and frustrated by the pervasive “live your best life” vibes that filled social media. In the thick of my grief, that idea grated on me. My motto, or anti-motto as it were, was a response to Oprah Winfrey’s ubiquitous phrase, “live your best life”. In particular, as I dodged puddles, I was reminded of a motto that I adopted not long after my husband, Jamie, died: to live my worst life, the best I can. Like many walks tend to do, our rainy stroll sparked some useful thoughts. And on this particular day, I wasn’t going to let the rain stop us. Like me – and, presumably, every human being – her mood is greatly improved after spending time outdoors.

Recently, I found myself exhausted by the idea of one more day stuck inside with our 14-month-old daughter.

Worst days of my life quotes