Some days are just blah. Growing up in the rainy Seattle region, we had our share of gray, dreary, damp, days. The source of the gray can be physical, or it can be an emotional perspective about your day. Either way, here are some gray day quotes and tips to help you make it out of the dreary day!
BTW: all of these graphics are phone wallpaper or lock screen images for you to download! If you want even more of these, check out my free download with 30+ more to choose from!
How do you feel about those gray days?
Before you have a gray day, take a few minutes to ponder your feelings about having a gray day. Can you embrace them? Do you dread them? Think through or write out what your ideal gray day would look like. Would having some positive, encouraging gray day quotes help?
Are there any special ways you can indulge or treat yourself with a little extra kindness on a gray day? Mine would include a warm drink, a good book, flavorful soup for dinner, and some relaxing warm yoga.
A word of caution
If you find yourself having a series of gray days, or they are darker than normal, please consider reaching out to a friend or professional to talk. Gray days are natural in the ups and downs of daily life, but they should be followed by light gray or bright days. Be aware and kind to yourself and utilize the many mental health resources that are available.
When a gray day strikes
There are a few things you can do on a gray day to help make them easier to get through. These are customizable for you, and make sure you are choosing things that make a positive impact on your day! There is no judgment here, you do you!
Identify why the day seems gray
Can you identify whether the source of the gray is internal (emotions, conflict, feelings,) or external (actual gray weather outside, or lack of stimulation)? Knowing this may help as you make choices of how to respond to the gray day.
What do you feel like doing today?
Approach this without looking at your calendar first! This isn’t what is on your calendar, it is asking if there were no constraints, check in with your desires and feelings, and ask yourself what do you want to do with your day today?
What do you have to do today?
This question is key. Approach it with a skeptical mind and see how many things you can cancel, reschedule, or modify. We want to remove anything from your day that doesn’t align with your mood on this gray day. If you are really struggling on this day, be ruthless with what you can cut and keep only the bare minimum.
Put it together
Take the time you freed up and put in some of the activities you feel like doing in their place. Plan some time for self-care, calm activities, time spent with favorite people, and doing things that bring you joy.
Make a point to include some gentle physical movement. An activity like 20 minutes of stretching, a walk through a nearby park, or a restorative yoga session would all fit this bill.
One important distinction. Rest is a schedulable activity. Call it what you want, but doing nothing, relaxing, taking a break, resting, are all things you can plan or schedule into your day. Embrace it as a part of your self-care toolkit!
Make it happen!
Take action on your day. If there is anything you don’t want to do, get it done first and out of the way! Then you can intentionally enjoy the rest of the day. Take steps to prevent anything unplanned from interrupting your day, leave your phone on silent, email can wait until tomorrow, and if anyone asks, your day is fully booked!
Find some brightness
While you are spending your gray day taking care of yourself, keep your eyes open for what sort of small wonders you can find. The dreariness of gray days highlights the beauty of those special, bright, moments in life.
Moments with a loved one, the joy of working on a project, the freedom that comes with escaping in a beloved book or movie, or finding a happy colorful flower all are special moments to celebrate that are often overlooked with the busyness of life today. Take a moment to mindfully acknowledge these moments and the brightness they bring into your life.
You don’t need to force brightness into your gray day, it is absolutely ok to sit in the embrace of the gray. But if you find a bright moment, then go ahead and acknowledge it, while still in the embrace of the gray.
How do you respond when gray days pop up in your life? I would love to hear your best tips and favorite gray day quotes that help you through these days. You can share your thoughts in the comments below or over on our Instagram page!
PS: Did you love these gray day quotes? Don’t forget to check out the other positive and affirming phone wallpaper downloads here!
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