The Wisdom of Emerson

We often fail to turn our minds off after a long day.  However, that is precisely what you need in order to recharge.  Not only does it help you get a good night's rest, but it also helps you begin the next day refreshed and ready for action.

The speed of modernity is not designed for our natural temperaments, adding greatly to our stress levels.  To successfully combat this, we need to purposefully slow down our lives. 

In a letter to his daughter, 19th-century American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson offered this wise advice:

Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can… Tomorrow is a new day.  You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Let It Go

Emerson’s right: tomorrow is a new day.  Research has shown that optimism has a significant positive influence on mental and physical well-being.

You have control over your own thoughts.  You have the power to start each day anew.

So then, how can you finish every day on a positive note?

Practice mindfulness.  Try yoga or meditation.  Take a mindful walk in nature.  Practice gratitude.  Learn to appreciate the little things in life.  Appreciate yourself.

Most importantly, don’t let one unfortunate event ruin your day.  You can be content in the midst of chaos.

Made a mistake on a test?  Learn from that in order to improve yourself.  Ask for help to avoid making the same mistake in the future.  Try to adopt a growth mindset. 

Finally, establish a daily routine to properly end your day.  That might be changing out of your work clothes, cleaning your workspace, or planning tomorrow’s workflow.

Once you've implemented these new practices, stick to that routine.  Make it a habit.  Finish each day feeling proud of what you’ve accomplished.

Then, let it go.