If there’s anything life has consistently taught me, it’s this: no matter how strong, intelligent, or prepared you think you are, some days will still humble you. And that’s okay.
I have had days when everything aligned perfectly, work flowed smoothly, conversations were light, and ideas came with ease. Those are the days you almost feel like life is giving you a gentle pat on the back, whispering “You are doing great.”
But I have also had days when I woke up with the best intentions, yet somehow everything slipped through my fingers. Tasks piled up. Communication broke down. A small mistake that shouldn’t have mattered suddenly felt heavier than it should. And in those moments, I caught myself being my own harshest critic.
The Turning Point
One particular day still stays with me.
I had a lot going on at work, deadlines, meetings, expectations, all dancing around my head at once. I made a minor error, something I would normally correct in seconds. But because I was already overwhelmed, it felt like the end of the world.
I remember sitting back and thinking: “Why am I like this? Why am I not getting it right today?”
But then something simple happened.
My wife, without even knowing what I was dealing with internally, said, “You’ve been doing great lately. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
That sentence grounded me. It reminded me that I am human and humans don’t operate on a straight line. We rise, fall, pause, continue. We are allowed to have off days without questioning our entire identity.
Learning to Show Yourself Mercy
The truth is, growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s in recognizing when to breathe, when to step back, and when to say, “Today didn’t go as planned, but tomorrow is another chance.”
Whenever I find myself slipping into self-judgment, I try to remember a few things:
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Not every day will be productive, and that doesn’t make me less capable.
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Mistakes don’t define me; how I learn from them does.
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Even strong people get tired. Even wise people miss it. Even organized people lose balance sometimes.
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Good days always return, they always do.
Your Story Matters Too
I have come to realize that the same way we extend grace to others, we must learn to extend it to ourselves. You won’t always have it all together, and you don’t need to pretend you do.
On the days you feel heavy, remind yourself: this is just a moment, not a verdict.
On the days you feel unstoppable, celebrate them fully, they are reminders of who you are becoming.
And when life swings between the two? Embrace the rhythm. It’s all part of the story.
In the End…
Don’t get so down on yourself. You’re doing better than you think. You’re learning, evolving, and showing up even when it’s hard.
Bad days don’t reduce you. Good days don’t make you perfect.
They both shape you.
And that’s the beauty of being human.
