When I get into one of those downward spirals like the one I found myself in yesterday, I should be able to talk my way out of it. I know things aren’t as bad as I can make them seem. I know I’ll survive, and meet all the deadlines, and even if I don’t, it’s not the end of the world. I know these things, but I can’t seem to remember to tell myself about them. At least, not while I’m going through it.

Today was better. I slept later than normal, and I got some important work done and behind me. That light at the end of the tunnel is glowing a little more brightly. More importantly, I have a plan. I know what I have to do each day to get through the week ahead, and I proved I can do it by getting the DE-6s and all the 1099s done today. The fewer loathsome tasks that remain on my to-do list, the lighter the air feels and the easier it is to work on erasing the frown lines.

None of this positive thinking solves all the problems of the world. It doesn’t even get the job done, because I still have to wake up every morning, get to work and do it. But hope can help smooth out the rough edges, and time changes things. It doesn’t necessarily heal, but whenever I hit bottom, change always means better.