‘Have a Bad Day’ Day is an annual awareness day that’s marked on 19th November. This observance provides an opportunity for people to push back against the ubiquitous social expectation to “have a good day”. How often do we hear this well-meaning but frequently empty phrase from colleagues and service providers (and strangers) throughout the course of a typical day? The answer for many is likely dozens, if not hundreds, of times.
That’s apparently why ‘Have a Bad Day’ Day was created, as a bit of a sarcastic rebellion against lacklustre and inauthentic performative well-wishing. Instead of spouting the tired and often meaningless “have a good day” phrase, people are encouraged to use an alternative: “have a bad day”.
The origins of ‘Have a Bad Day’ Day can be traced back to the late 1990s, when it was created by husband-and-wife team, Tom and Ruth Roy, the founders of Wellcat Holidays. This event represents a deliberate rejection of the societal pressure to maintain a cheerful disposition at all times, regardless of our actual emotional state or circumstances. I’ve written about my feelings toward toxic positivity before, so this unusual awareness day caught my eye for the first time recently (despite its mean-sounding name).
I think it’s important to note that ‘Have a Bad Day’ Day isn’t really an encouragement for people to actively seek out or wallow in negativity. Instead, it’s an acknowledgment that not every day will be sunshine and rainbows, and that’s perfectly acceptable and part of being human. Participants are encouraged to embrace their feelings, whether positive or negative, and to find healthy ways of coping with life’s inevitable challenges.
To that end, here are some quick tips for making the most of ‘Have a Bad Day’ Day this week:
- Appreciate the aspects of your life that are going well, even amidst the difficulties.
- Take breaks to recharge when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
- Get curious and look for the silver linings in adverse situations and make the best of things when you can.
- Allow yourself to express a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, as a means of releasing tension.
- During hardships, remember that even the worst days are temporary.
By observing ‘Have a Bad Day’ Day, it’s hoped that we can reclaim our right to define our own emotional experiences, rather than feeling compelled to adhere to society’s expectations of constant positivity. This awareness day serves as a reminder that it’s perfectly acceptable – and, in fact, healthy – to acknowledge and process the full spectrum of human emotions.
