One Day At A Time

When a person hears the phrase “One Day At A Time,” some people tend to jump into thoughts of Alcoholics Anonymous since that is the motto that their members use when trying to get and stay sober. (I know from experience. That’s a story for later on!) Some people let that thought alone discourage them from wanting to learn to live one day at a time. However, fear not, because that saying can work for anyone – especially people who have a mental health condition or an addiction issue.

It can be very difficult to live one day at a time when your mind is being overactive and you’re flooded with thoughts and worries. And that’s okay, it takes more than one day to be able to be in the here and now. I have been practicing it for a while now but, being Bipolar, it doesn’t come easily. It is something you have to work at, and when you notice your mind starting to wonder or worry about things that have yet to come, or you start to think about negative issues from the past, try as hard as you can to redirect that thought.

Are you worried about something coming up either in the near or distant future? That is something that has yet to come, and no matter how hard or how much you are thinking about those things – there is nothing that you will be able to do until that day or time arrives.

It can be good to prepare if it is something that you know you need to plan in advance for. Worrying about it won’t make the situation any easier, however. So, make a checklist of what you want or need to do to for that approaching day. After that, it is out of your hands.

If you believe in a higher power, that’s great – leave your issues with him or her. If not, that’s great too – because you did everything you had to do. Now, take a few deep breaths and try to relax because after you have completed those things on your checklist, there is nothing more you are able to do. It’s not like you can control everything that is going to happen. Knowing that, is part of living in the here and now.

Are you thinking about how a situation went or something that you may have said or done in the past that you really wish you would have handled differently? If that is the case, think about it this way – it is already in the past and unless you have access to a time machine, there is nothing that you will ever be able to do to change what has already happened.

If it is something that is bothering you still, journal about it. Journaling will get it out of your head and onto a piece of paper. Sometimes when it comes to events from the past, if we have not properly processed them, they can truly eat at us until we figure out how to release them in a healthy manner. If you are not into journaling, talk to a trusted friend – talk to your best friend, or even if you have a therapist you can talk to him or her.

You have to be able to accept the things you cannot change and look inside yourself for the courage to change the things you can. There is a major difference between the two. Living one day at a time is about living in the moment – the here and now. If you spend too much time focusing on things that are out of your control, you aren’t able to truly live in the now and enjoy the simple things in life.

No matter what you are have been through, are currently doing, or will be doing, always remember to try to leave one day at a time. 

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone has a Happy Friday and a Great Weekend!

Feel free to comment below. Does anyone have any weekend plans? What’s your input on living one day at a time? We would Love to hear from you! ♥