You Can Be Spiritual and Still Have a Bad Day: Tuesday Morning with Lynn
Written by Lynn Pritchard. October 12, 2026
Some days, the smallest thing can bring you to tears or make you lose your patience. You try to stay calm, but you’re tired. Something goes wrong, someone disappoints you, or one more thing gets added to a day that already feels full.
And then comes the thought: I should be handling this better. I’m supposed to be spiritual.
I think we put too much pressure on ourselves when we believe being spiritual means always being peaceful, positive, and understanding. We can learn about energy, practice meditation, and help others find their way—and still have days when we feel frustrated, hurt, or overwhelmed. I have those days too.
There are times when I give so much of myself that, by the end of the day, I have very little left. I may know that taking a breath would help, but knowing something and doing it in a difficult moment are two different things. Sometimes I need a little time before I can step back and see things clearly.That doesn’t erase what I believe or what I’ve learned. It tells me I need to pay attention to how I’m doing.
Our feelings deserve that attention. Frustration may mean we’ve taken on too much. Hurt may tell us that something mattered deeply. Anger may help us recognize a boundary we need to speak up about. We don’t have to act on every feeling immediately, but we can listen without judging ourselves for having it.
Of course, having a bad day doesn’t give us permission to treat others badly. If we speak sharply or react unfairly, we can acknowledge it and make an effort to repair it. We can take responsibility without deciding that one difficult moment makes us a failure.
Sometimes the kindest thing I can do is stop trying to force myself into a better mood. I take my salt bath, spend time with my husband and our animals, or enjoy my cup of chamomile tea before bed. Those familiar comforts give me some space to settle. The problem may still be there, but I can return to it with a clearer mind.
You don’t have to find a lesson in everything while you’re still upset. You don’t have to explain away someone’s behavior to prove you’re compassionate. And you don’t have to pretend you’re fine because people look to you for guidance.
There is room to say, “Today was hard.” There is room to ask for support, take a break, or decide that a conversation can wait until tomorrow.
For me, spirituality helps me return to myself when life feels difficult. Sometimes that happens through meditation. Sometimes it happens through an honest conversation. And sometimes it begins with simply admitting that I’m tired and need to rest.
If you’re having a bad day, give yourself a little patience. You can feel frustrated and still care deeply. You can need space and still love someone. You can struggle with something you thought you had already worked through.
You can be spiritual and still be human. There is room for all of you.
Love you all Lynn Pritchard
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