Although it may sound like a conundrum, there is such a thing as a bad day that is also a good day.
Yesterday was a bad health day. I was scared to eat so I drank a couple Boost for the entire day. I had stabbing and shooting pains all throughout my hips and had a hell of a time trying to walk, even with my cane. My shoulder blades were screaming at me, I had a migraine that was affecting my vision, and I accidentally jammed my finger - which is more painful than it sounds. My entire afternoon and evening was spent in bed - I did not once make it out to the couch. I was rocking back and forth for hours trying to distract myself from the pain. I was starving but terrified to eat for fear it would make me feel even worse. I wanted to shower or have a bath but I did not have the strength. I spent about every 15 minutes crying, simply from pain.
Sounds like a pretty terrible day right?
Wrong. Sort of.
Yesterday I also had a productive doctor's appointment and trip to the pharmacy in the morning. I picked up a few items at the grocery store, picked up a package I had been waiting for that contained some gifts for my bridesmaids as well as the earrings I plan to wear on my wedding day. I even made a quick trip to Michaels to grab some silk flowers. When I got home I organized my music into a set list for a live-streaming Christmas concert I plan to do in December. I cuddled all day with my puppy, had an afternoon nap, and once Ryan got home he cuddled with me in bed and we watched a few shows together. We laughed and joked and played with Decker while I was stuck in bed. We played games and went over some exciting wedding plans, we enjoyed watching Young Sheldon and I caught the season finale of Grey's. I went on social media and got to chat with my friends, I watched funny videos of animals and bloopers. Ryan had his dinner in the bedroom with me while I drank my Boost, then we watched part of a Christmas movie before going to bed. Then, before going to sleep, Ryan gave me a small back massage with special back cream to help numb the pain.
Sounds pretty great doesn't it?
So yesterday was a great day - a very happy day - and yet it was also a bad day.
If we could learn to turn bad days into good days, then the bad days don't pile up on us so much. It doesn't become so overwhelming. That way, weeks in a flare-up seems less and less like weeks, and we can get through anything by thinking this way.
It doesn't have to happen each day - everyone is entitled to just have an entirely bad day and then say goodbye to it. But getting through tough times can often be as simple as making sure OTHER parts of the day are really enjoyable. Despite the pain.