End Your Day In a Positive Way: 5 Simple Habits

Simple Habits

End Your Day In A Positive Way

Originally published in August 2017. Updated in April 2025 to add resource links

End Your Day In a Positive Way: 5 Simple Habits

I often read articles encouraging readers to start their day off in a positive way. While that is beneficial, it is just as important to end your day in a positive way.

We go to sleep each night and wake up the next day to new opportunities and challenges. Yet, our interpretation of events (which is based on our own experiences, values and moods) can lead to us feeling as if our whole day was a waste.

Over the years, I have been told by multiple people, "Make it a habit to not go to bed mad." Although, I agree with this statement, it was never clearly explained how to achieve this. I've had many opportunities working with my clients, as well as myself, to process the filter that so many of us live by to find the "glass half full."  Often times our emotions get in the way of what is important throughout the day and we ruminate on events and words that weren't meant to offend us, but somehow they did. Let's face it...even if the statements were meant to offend us, allowing those situations to "rent space" in our minds will definitely destroy your day.
 

What to do then? Is that day lost and should you just aim for a better day tomorrow?

Well, today isn’t over yet.

I truly believe that you can make something good out of it.

Let's look at 5 ways we can end our day on a positive note:

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End your day with calm, not chaos. 5 simple therapist-approved ways to unwind and reset for tomorrow.

1.Say "yes" to yourself

Saying yes to yourself is difficult for many individuals because it feels selfish. Guess what?! It's OK to be selfish sometimes, when it is your mental and physical health on the line.

When you say yes to yourself, you're saying the following:

 - Yes, I had a difficult day today
- Yes, it has led me to stress and anxiety
- Yes, I have to care for me and my health is just as important as anyone else.
- Yes, self-care starts right now...today...at this moment.

Remember when you say yes to others’ needs, you are saying no to yourself.  Don't make it a habit to ignore your needs or feel as though your feelings are not important.

2. Review your day

This is the best time to get out a piece of paper and pencil. Writing is not only therapeutic it provides you with physical evidence that may be needed to review in the future...you know when that mood comes back again.
Initially, it may be difficult to create a Gratitude List because your mind may continue to try to focus on all the things that went wrong, but I can assure you doing this is helpful.

Here are some steps that may be helpful:

-Replay your day from start to finish.
- As you go through your day, write out the positive things or the events that did happen today that you are grateful for.

Some examples to help:
-Waking up today.
-Waking up and seeing the sun was out.
-Grateful you were able to speak to someone you cared about.
-Grateful you made it to and from work.
-Thankful you have a bed to sleep in. 

As you go over your day, try not to criticize yourself for things that didn’t go as planned. Instead, embrace the day as it was— acknowledge both the positive and the challenging moments with compassion.

Remember don't disqualify the positives or to “fix everything but to simply acknowledge what happened and how you felt. This creates space for healing, rather than self-criticism. Focusing on the positives can change your mood. It can, in a sense, help you view your day differently. As you go over your day, try not to criticize yourself for things that didn’t go as planned. Instead, embrace the day as it was—acknowledge both the positive and the challenging moments with compassion.

Remember, the goal is not to “fix” everything but to simply acknowledge what happened and how you felt. This creates space for healing, rather than self-criticism

Feeling stuck on how to practice self-affirmation at the end of a hard day? You can nurture self-worth in simple, comforting ways:

• Worthy of Royalty: Self-Care Cards — quick daily prompts to boost confidence and emotional resilience, perfect for a mindful wind-down before sleep.

• Or surround yourself with calm, loving reminders like the I Am Worthy of Wellness Double-Sided Pillow or the Restoring My Crown – Gold Luxury Pillow because your environment can affirm your worth even when words feel hard.

3.  Take Inventory of what's around you

Now that we've reviewed the past events of the day, it is time to move your focus to the present moment.

The best thing about this technique is that this can be done anywhere, anytime.
You are simply utilizing your senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, feel and smell.

Here’s how you do it:

Look around your room. Pay attention to what you see, what you hear, feel, and smell. Count the different colors in the room. Count the amount of chairs. If you are chewing gum, take a brief moment and pay attention to the taste. Slowly breathe in and determine what you smell. Pay attention to what parts of your feet is touching the floor or bed.

4. Ensure your environment is conducive to relaxation

Focused on these questions:

Is your room arranged in a way where relaxation is the ultimate goal?
Is the room clear of clutter or organized?
Are there any electronics on?
If there are electronics on in what way are they assisting with relaxation?
Are the shades lower to promote a calming ambiance?

Need ideas? Check out my guide to creating a healing space or explore how to Create a Relaxing Atmosphere to create your personal sanctuary.

5. Tomorrow provides more opportunities

Lastly, simply remind yourself how you ended your day in a more positive way.

When you arise tomorrow, you have evidence of your positive thoughts on the paper you wrote last night.  You can start your day by reviewing it or return tomorrow and add more later.

Recognize that tomorrow brings new opportunities and new challenges. Throughout your day practice using some of the coping skills mentioned above, which helped to create a more positive evening.

Bonus for Fellow Therapists

If you're a mental health professional, don’t miss my co-authored eBook Glowing Up In Private Practice — designed to support and inspire clinicians as they grow personally and professionally.

Ready to Go Deeper in Your Healing Journey?

If you’re in Michigan, New Jersey, or Vermont and would like personalized support, I’d be honored to help you through therapy. Together we can work on reducing anxiety, building emotional resilience, and enhancing your overall well-being. Book an intake session and let’s talking about what is weighing on your mind.

Written By: Reynelda Jones, LMSW-C, ADS, CIMHP

CEO and Lead Therapist of A Solution B

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