I've Had at Least 100 Bad Days
Here's how I turn bad days into good stories and lessons
People often dread bad days, emotionally painful experiences, and humiliation. Our primitive wiring, to avoid physical pain, at some point, was expanded to consume all potential avenues of discomfort. For some, public humiliation might as well be considered a death sentence, especially for those that thrive on social interactions.
While I understand the aversion to potential embarrassment or anything that could leave people gawking and talking for any extended period of time, eventually those moments become the highlights of our lives.
A prime example that I dreaded for years in my “younger” youth, is a story that a good friend of mine loved to tell new people. When I was sixteen, a group of us were at the pool doing cannonballs and flips. Sure enough, after one awesome backflip (I must say), I came up from beneath the subtle waves to discover that my bikini top had become, well, my wardrobe malfunctioned. Yep. Everyone got a good glimpse of what I hid under my bra and t-shirt at school.
And my dear friend has loved to tell that story for close to two-decades now. Truth be told, he’s probably going to mention it to my new husband at some point. Maybe I should beat him to it?
But that’s ok. I’m finally to the point where I’m no longer embarrassed about said clothing-disappearing-act.
Another example from not that many years ago, is when it pained me to tell people about the crimes of my daughters’ father. Not just because the ordeal caused me a lot of pain, but it also caused me indirect shame and pity from others. Eventually, the story of that difficult period in life became a badge of courage, of perseverance, of determination to overcome. It has become, a “good” story. It no longer haunts me nor hangs over my life like a dagger waiting to dig into my soul and my newfound life.
The band AJR has a song called “100 Bad Days”, which includes this bridge:
When all is going wrong and you’re scared as hell
What you gonna do? Who you gonna tell?
Maybe a hundred bad days made a hundred good stories
A hundred good stories make me interesting at parties
I’m not sure if it’s simply the time that has passed, or maturity, or assisting my own daughters in getting over their embarrassing moments. But whatever it is, I’m starting to turn those bad days into great stories. With every failed relationship (regardless of blame or fault), I find comfort and healing and strength in writing it down for you all. It’s no longer a fear to expose some of the darkest moments of my life. Why? Because each dark moment had a light at the end of the tunnel, a new beginning, and a life lesson.
I’ve found that reading other good stories of bad days helped me through my struggles, and likewise, that mine have helped others.
Life will never be picture perfect nor rose-colored all the time. Maybe we should take each trip on the sidewalk, each wardrobe malfunction, each heartbreak, and look for the lesson behind each. Tie your shoes or watch where you’re stepping. Tie your bathing suit a bit tighter. Look for red flags and avoid them next time.
Every bad moment we have, can be used as a good story for entertainment, for teaching, for our future.
Which bad day can you turn into a good story?
If you know someone that would like or benefit from my post, please do share. :)