By Bianca Carter

We all have those days where nothing seems to go right. When one thing – and it’s usually something small – sets the tone and mood of the day and little things keep going wrong, it causes extreme frustration.

You forget something, you have a late start, you spill coffee on your clean white shirt – you know those days. Or how about when you are having a normal day, trying to accomplish your goals and that one thing happens that totally attempts to change your mood for the rest of the day and you just can’t shake it. I really hate that feeling. Here are my tips to keeping a positive outlook on one of those messy days.

1. Allow yourself

to be human

I know that there are times that we are not thrilled about our current situation. Stress and many outside factors can all contribute to our mood, allowing the small, trivial things to frustrate you more. But sometimes just cut yourself some of slack. We’re not perfect and we should be allowed to have one of those “off” days and not beat ourselves up for it.

1. Don’t let it linger

On those days when you’re feeling like things are running amok, try to re-direct your thoughts so that you’re not dwelling on it all day, maybe take a relaxing walk, do some yoga, or grab a nice cup of tea. You want to make sure that you wake up the next day feeling like you have put that messy day behind you and that you have a brand new start, so do you best to let it go.

1. Connect with like-

minded people

Sometimes talking about your super messy, ultra frustrating day with close friends can be the cure. For me, getting it all out there no matter how silly is a huge help.

Ahhh, venting! It does wonders for me. The ironic thing is that typically when you need to vent with one of your friends they usually have to do the same thing and you end up helping them, too. Nothing like good ole friends.

1. Schedule some

mymetime.

In some cases our frustrations or messy days come from a lack of something your body needs. If you’ve been working like a horse or stressed more than usual, it very often is one small insignificant thing that starts a chain reaction and can make things seem unbearable.

You know, like when you argue with your spouse it’s usually the silly little things that set off an argument, not typically the big things that you argue about, like leaving dirty socks in the bathroom or not throwing garbage in the trash can which is like 10 feet away from your nose (not that I am speaking from experience or anything, just saying).

Plan some time to do something you like to do for you, and say bye-bye to those messy days because you won’t be sweating the small stuff as much.

1. Movie time

I don’t watch a lot of TV or movies, mostly because I fall asleep, but I really do like movies. I have a few favourites that I could just watch over and over again. When I’m having a messy day, it’s the perfect time for me to put one of those movies on or even a new one. This takes my mind off of my frustrations and on to something else; it’s the perfect distraction.

Love and hugs!

• Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC), founder of Bun in the Oven, and weekend radio personality on Y98 radio. For more information, e-mail her at info@babybunintheoven.com, or bcarter@tribunemedia.net. Follow BITO on Facebook at babybunintheoven, and check out the BITO Blog every Monday and Thursday at http://babybunintheoven.com.