10 Things To Do When Life Sucks

Sometimes, life sucks. And it’s not always within our control to fix it, at least not in the moment. But we still need to do something. I hate that feeling of being coiled up inside, like a pot about to boil over but never quite getting there.

For days like that, here are ten things to help get your mind off it, give yourself a break, and change the narrative, even if just for today.

1 – Go for a drive with the windows down and music up

Adjust for weather, of course — bonus points for seat warmers or coolers! I love driving with the windows cracked, seat warmers on, music blasting, sun on my skin. Being in the moment, letting the songs spark daydreams — almost nothing beats that. It’s my go-to move to shift the energy and take charge of my mood.

2 – Harmless destruction for catharsis

Rip up a piece of paper. Tear it into tiny confetti. Do it again. If you work out, hit a punching bag for a few rounds. The goal is harmless action to release all that pent-up energy coiled inside you on a bad day.

3 – Watch the stars or cloudgaze

Lay in your backyard and watch the stars, or if it’s daytime, the clouds. Go to a park, or even sit in your car — wherever you feel safe. Do this in total silence. It might take a while for the mental noise to fade, but looking out into something bigger than yourself can sometimes put the day in perspective.

4 – Braindump without a filter

Grab a notebook or some loose paper and just write. Let it all pour out — curses, fears, sadness, everything. No editing. No judgment. Keep it, burn it safely, or shred it. The goal is to move the emotions from your mind onto the page and give yourself a little breathing room.

5 – Watch something funny

Binge funny videos, cartoons, movies, or reality TV — whatever makes you laugh. Cat videos? Perfect. When everything feels terrible, sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh. It won’t fix the bigger problem, but it can put a much-needed smile on your face, even for a moment.

6 – Wash the world away in a long shower or bath

Take a long shower or a bubble bath. Do it in silence or with music. Imagine the stress washing off you and swirling down the drain. Take deep breaths. If it’s safe, close your eyes and let the water reset you — cold or warm, soothing or shocking, whichever you need. Let it give you strength to keep going.

7 – Write a letter to your future self, or open a past letter

Sometimes it’s good to keep a record of a moment that you have overcome. Write a letter to your future self, capturing exactly how you feel right now. Then seal it and save it. Or, if you’ve written one in the past, open it and read. See how far you’ve come. Proof that you made it through hard times before — and you will again.

8 – Put on an outfit or makeup look just because

It may seem silly, dressing up in your favorite clothes or putting on your favorite makeup look is a way to remind yourself that you are worth it. Even in your darkest moment, you can look fierce and powerful. Fake it until you make it. Remind yourself of who you are — and who you’re fighting to get back to.

9 – Put your bare feet in grass or dirt

When everything feels like it’s spinning out of control, and you feel untethered and can’t seem to grasp onto anything, go outside. Bury your bare feet into the soil. Anchor yourself physically so you can steady yourself mentally.

10 – Build something with your hands

Channel the chaos into creation. Whittle some wood. Build a LEGO set. Start a puzzle. Shape a mug from clay. Take all the intangible, swirling emotions and pour them into something tangible. Show yourself that you are capable — and that this tough moment will pass.

Have you tried any of these before?
If so, which one?
And if not, which one are you curious to try?