Ever have those days where... things are just not going how you'd like? My answer would be, "Um, YES." If you don't have those days, I'm so happy to hear that - but also, what is your secret?! I'm really not trying to be a pessimist, but some days it just seems so hard to keep a good attitude and feel good about myself in light of all the junky un-fun malarkey happening all around us.

The cycle of events generally goes like this: Day starts out okay, I'm feeling good about myself and congratulate my pleasant mood with a nice cup of coffee. I go to take the first sip and surprise myself with a massive sneeze. Coffee goes everywhere, pajamas are soaked, skin is bright pink and hot to the touch. Okay, recover, Helana. Let's take a shower. Hop in, there's no hot water. Hop out, shivering. Fine, everything is totally fine, I'm totally cool. Let's pivot. I get dressed and put my contacts in. It becomes immediately clear that some foreign godforsaken spec of dirt is on one of my contacts, and my left eye is now tearing up and puffy. I laugh in utter frustration and make an angry face in the mirror. It's been twenty minutes since I got up, I'm ready for a nap, and some negative self-talk starts up.

We all have days like this. There's not necessarily anything we can do to prevent bad days, or frustrating moments. No amount of journaling or meditating will safeguard us from tripping over our shoe in public, or accidentally liking our ex's post from 6 months ago on Instagram after a gentle perusing of their profile. Life happens, and it's often awkward and clunky. Even though we can't necessarily smooth out the road ahead of us, we can try to do some inner work to help bring a bit more peace to the present moment.

Explore your own affirmations, too. They don't have to look anything like the ones I listed. Know that as long as they are encouraging, they are fantastic. Let's try to remind ourselves often that much of life is out of our direct control, but self-care and self-appreciation are available to us all if we take time to practice. Practice loving yourselves, my friends. You're really incredible. a moment of tension.

1. In this moment, I am breathing. If I am breathing, I am alive. If I am alive, then I am enough.

2. Breathe in and say: "I am," breath out and say "at peace." Repeat 10 times slowly, for full deep breaths (best to practice this while sitting to make sure you don't get dizzy).

3. I do not need validation from anyone else to be a whole person.

4. I believe in my importance.

5. I am beautifully contributing to the shared human experience.

I hope you explore your own affirmations, too. They don't have to look anything like the ones I listed. Know that as long as they are encouraging, they are fantastic. Let's try to remind ourselves often that much of life is out of our direct control, but self-care and self-appreciation are available to us all if we take time to practice. Practice loving yourselves, my friends. You're really incredible.

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Kris Jenner photo: https://people.com/tv/keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-most-memorable-moments-from-each-season/