Inspiration for a Bad Shift

I’m switching the blog format up a bit this week. Instead, I want to focus on positive mantras and inspirational quotes. I know you’re probably a little bit taken aback. Why am I infusing this hippie stuff into my blogging?

Well you never know who’s having a bad day. Right now, as I’m writing this, I had a really bad day. The type of day when nothing goes right. I’m exhausted to my core and just “over it”.

If I’m in need of a pick-me-up, I’m sure others are, too. So if you have a bad day, I’m right there with you. Just light a candle, take a deep breath, and read on. It’ll be better tomorrow, I’m sure.

If you’re looking for more tips to beat burnout, check out my course.

Mantras

A mantra or affirmation is a string of words you repeat to yourself. The first mantra was used over 3,000 years ago. Mantras can settle your mind and bring moments of peace throughout a hectic day. Mantras focus on spiritual awareness and acceptance.

Affirmations are short phrases you repeat to help you overcome a challenge. They can also help you set intentions throughout your day. They’re very similar to mantras.

Examples

You can make up any mantra or affirmation you want.You can use any phrase that speaks to you. Make sure that you’re using a phrase that you want to focus on for the day. Make it your “call to action”.

These phrases work best when you create them for your particular situation. Don’t blindly pick a mantra. Instead, reflect on what support you need and create a mantra or affirmation based on that.

Here are some of my favorite mantras and affirmations:

Do not stress over what I can not control.
I am proud of myself and my work.
I am energized and ready.
If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.
Calm through chaos.
I am worthy.
I surrender to the flow of the universe.

Use “I” statements to create personalized mantras or affirmations every day. You can write your own mantras by completing these short prompts:

I am
I honor
I value

Make sure your mantras are positive. You should write them down so you don’t forget them throughout the day. Close your eyes when saying your mantras, if you can. It helps you focus and internalize the mantra.

Mantras and affirmations work best when repeated during moments of calm and chaos. They can bring awareness to a situation and help you pass through stressful moments.

Mindfulness

You can choose to combine your mantra or affirmation with mindfulness. Or, you can implement mindfulness techniques on their own. Mindfulness refers to

the meditative technique of focusing intensely and solely at the moment. At that moment in time, you’re focusing on the sensations you feel without judging or interrupting the moment.

Regularly introducing mindfulness into your routine can help quiet a stressed, anxious mind. I can also improve sleep, attention, and energy levels. The most important benefit? It can help reduce burnout.

Examples of Mindful Moments

You can practice mindfulness pretty much anywhere. You just have to focus on being present. Remember: it’s a form of meditation.

Here are some examples of mindfulness:

Drive in silence
Mindfully brush your teeth
Eat mindfully
Set a timer at the same time every day to just sit
Walk slowly back and forth with no intention

I decided to make a mindful moment every time I took a sip of water or used my chapstick. I chose those moments because they happened frequently throughout my day. I would stop whatever I was doing, take a few deep breaths, slow my mind, and focus on what I was feeling and doing in that moment.

Inspirational Quotes

This section has a few of my favorite inspirational quotes. Hopefully something speaks to you on your gloomiest of days.

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” - E.E. Hale, novelist
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”- George Eliot, English novelist
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”— Walt Whitman
“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."-Milton Berle (American comedian/actor)
"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."- unknown
"Don't you dare underestimate the power of your own instinct."-Barbara Ann Corcoran

Summary

We all have bad days. What sets the bad days apart from the terrible days is the ability to self-soothe and cope. Introducing mantras and affirmations into your days can help you stay focused and in-charge of your emotions during tumultuous times. Practicing mindfulness can help reduce burnout and anxiety. And inspirational quotes are just empowering. They’re nice to read in your dark moments.

So bookmark this blog. The next time you have a bad day, pull it up and read some mantras. I promise, you will pull yourself out of whatever is happening. Each day will be a little better.