In a World of Positivity, I Tell You: It’s OK to Have a Bad Day
- Andreea Toporas
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Let me say something that might go against everything you scroll past on social media:
It’s okay to have a bad day.
Yes, even if you’re usually strong. Even if you’ve done the mindset work. Even if you’re trying to stay “high-vibe.” Even if you’re a coach. I know, because I’ve been there too.
In a world where we’re constantly being told to “choose happiness,” “be grateful,” “find the silver lining,” and “think positive,” it can feel like feeling anything else is failure. But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: feeling low doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.
We’re Not Robots. We’re Not Meant to Be Happy 24/7.
There are days when things just feel heavy. You wake up tired, your energy’s low, and even the smallest things feel like too much. Maybe something triggered you, or maybe it’s just... one of those days.
And you know what? That’s okay.
What’s not okay is the pressure to pretend you're fine when you're not. Society has created this almost toxic expectation that we should always smile through it, that good vibes should override everything. But suppressing emotions doesn’t heal you—it disconnects you from yourself.
The Power of Acceptance: having a bad day
Over time, I’ve learned that resisting a bad day only makes it worse. Fighting sadness, frustration, or exhaustion adds another layer of guilt and shame. You start thinking, “Why do I feel like this?” “What’s wrong with me?” “I should be more positive.”
But what if you didn’t fight it?
What if you simply say:" Today’s a tough day. I’m allowed to feel this way."
When you accept a bad day without judgment, something shifts. The pressure lifts. You give yourself space to breathe, to just be—and in that space, healing begins. Your body relaxes. Your mind slows down. You stop running.
And often, the emotion passes faster when it’s felt fully, not fought.
Lessons Hidden in the Low Moments
Bad days aren’t wasted days. In fact, some of my biggest personal insights have come when I was feeling down. Because when things are quiet—when I’m not pushing, achieving, smiling, performing—I actually hear myself more clearly.
I get to ask questions like:
What am I needing right now?
What am I avoiding?
What’s this emotion trying to tell me?
When you stop trying to fix the bad mood and start listening to it, you realize it’s not the enemy—it’s the messenger.
How Not to Stay Stuck There
Now, let’s be honest—feeling low is one thing, but staying there for weeks is another. So how do you honor a bad day without getting stuck in it? Here’s what helps me:
✅ Name it
Say it out loud or write it down: “I’m having a bad day.” Sometimes just acknowledging it removes the sting.
🧘 Slow down
Cancel what you can. Breathe. Take the pressure off. You don’t have to be productive every moment.
💬 Talk to someone who gets it
Not someone who’ll force you to cheer up—but someone who’ll just say, “Yeah, I get it.”
📝 Journal or voice note
Get the thoughts out of your head and onto paper or a recording. Clear the clutter.
🎧 Music, movement, or nature
No pressure to work out. Just stretch, step outside, or play that one playlist that always calms you down.
⏳ Set a time limit (if needed)
Give yourself permission to feel for a few hours or a full day. Then tomorrow, check in again. Maybe you’ll feel lighter. Maybe not. But you’ll move through it.
You’re Still Growing, Even on the Hard Days
If no one told you this today, let me be the one: You are allowed to feel your feelings. You don’t have to fake it. You are still doing your best. You’re still growing, healing, learning—even if all you did today was breathe and survive.
Because true strength isn’t in pretending you're okay—it’s in knowing when you’re not and honoring that part of you too.
So yes, in a world obsessed with positivity, I stand by this message:
It’s okay to have a bad day. Feel it. Honor it. And when you're ready—you’ll rise again.
And if you ever feel stuck in a season of low energy or you're not sure how to move forward, you don’t have to go through it alone. Sometimes, just having someone listen, reflect, and walk beside you can make all the difference.
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