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If You Think You’re Having A Terrible Day, These People Beg To Differ (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
There are days when the air seems to have a whiff of positivity. You make the bus on time, breeze through the traffic, and excitedly skip to wherever you need to be. And then there are times when your alarm doesn’t go off for some reason, and you scramble to get ready just for a million things to go wrong. The sandwich you went to put in your mouth drops on the ground and the train you hoped to catch was so overcrowded all you could do was watch it take off into the distance.
But it can always get worse, and people on this list are living proof of that. If you’re having a bad day yourself, scroll down to find comfort in knowing that others have it tougher than you, and don’t forget to share the most unfortunate things that turned your day upside down.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out a conversation with an expert in positive psychology, Ruth Steggles, and positive psychology play consultant, Jeff Harry, who kindly agreed to give us a few tips on how to turn a bad day around.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Facade Wall Contractors Used A Drill Too Long For The Job
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#2
What, No Tie-Down? This Happened Not Even 50 Yards Later
#3
My Wisdom Toot. You’d Think It Would Be Wise Enough To Not Do This Type Of Stuff
The most up-to-date statistics show that on average, an American has 4 bad days a month. These add up to 48 days per year that are dedicated to bad moods and unfortunate events.
However, this seems to be an improvement since 2018, when respondents reported having about 60 bad days a year.
Interestingly, the 2024 Avocado Green Mattress and Talker Research survey has found that Americans can pinpoint the exact time when it’s going to be a tough day. At precisely 8:36 a.m., they can already tell that their day won’t go as planned.
#4
My Stove/Oven Broke And The Display Doesn’t Even Say The Time Anymore
#5
Thought One Of The Bulbs Burned Out In The Backyard
#6
Not What I Expected On A CT Scan Following A Suspected Gallbladder Attack
It's exactly what it looks like. I'm now terminal at 40 years old. Consider this a PSA: go to the damn doctor when you're in pain. You never know.
Justme 1 month ago (edited)
PSA: Go to the doctor for regular routine check ups, not just when you’re unwell. I just made a new-patient appointment for someone who just had a heart attack (and now needs a doctor) - they have to wait 7 months. This is in the US for someone with private insurance. Clinics just don’t have enough doctors to see patients quickly. If he were established with a doctor already the wait would be ~2-4 weeks.
A quarter of the time, people feel like there’s no way to turn the downright smile upside down. 48% of respondents even admitted to canceling plans or calling out of work to go back to sleep after waking up and sensing a bad day.
The most common causes of a tough day were getting up and feeling sick (35%), followed by poor sleep (31%), and waking up with a headache (29%). Misplacing the keys (26%) and leaving the phone at home (25%) were other top contenders.
Additional reasons for things going south included running out of toilet paper, forgetting the wallet at home, sleeping through the alarm, and forgetting to charge the phone the night before.
#7
On My Way To Start College And My Car Caught Fire With Everything I Own Inside Of It
No one was hurt in the slightest, and I was the only one in the vehicle when it caught fire. Thankfully, I could get everything out of the car before the fire got too bad and we had to back away. The fire department put it out very quickly, so no real damage was caused. Also, a little bit of context: my father was in his car, and I was between him and a truck. I sped up to try and pass the truck and try to close the distance between us. He was guiding me and had some of my things in his car. As I accelerated, I heard a pop, and my car began to slow down, and before I could react, it popped again and entirely died. I threw on my flashers pulled off to the side of the road and began trying to call my dad when the guy in the truck who was in front of me came up and started seeing if I needed help when we noticed the crackling of a fire under my hood. I popped the hood, and we saw the firewall was about to be fully engulfed by flames, so I called 911 while he began pulling all my things out.
#8
Here’s The View From My Front Door, I Would Like To Note That It’s Not Even 4 PM And This Is How Dark It Is Because Of The Fires Nearby My Town
#9
Saw This After Hearing The Loudest Scream Of My Life
I was working and heard someone screaming at the top of his lungs. Went to the bathroom and saw this. The poor guy was taking a dump when this happened.
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
I know this is a very bad thing and I am a very bad person, but I am laughing hysterically about this right now at 6:30 in the morning.
The survey further revealed that unfortunate events were most likely to strike at the start of the week. 60% of respondents said that Mondays had the highest chance of going into a downright spiral. Work schedules and the back-to-school season were some of the most common contributing factors.
To prevent bad days from occurring, respondents try to find time for themselves each day to relax (41%), make time for things they enjoy (37%), and ensure they are well-rested (35%). In fact, 71% of respondents said that sleep can make or break their day, and having enough of it can help to deal with things that may go wrong during it.
#10
Rearranging Fridge, Watermelon Rolled Out. I Ignored Thinking I'd Grab It In A Second. It Continued To Roll Down The Nearby Staircase
#11
I Guess My Sunscreen Wasn't Water-Resistant
#12
My Entire Neighborhood Is Submerged In Flood Water With Raw Sewage In It
SkyBlueandBlack 1 month ago
I feel like that description works for the whole state of Florida.
But even if a bad day is unpreventable, there are ways to turn it around. Ruth Steggles, an expert in positive psychology, suggests stopping and noticing what’s going on around you. “Identifying what is actually upsetting you then allows you to address the root cause. If it is something you can't change, look for some small thing you can change.”
Similarly, positive psychology play consultant Jeff Harry advises to sit with the feeling and let yourself fully experience the bad moment. "If you allow yourself to fully feel the bad moment, then you can let it go. If you don't allow yourself to feel it, you suppress it, meaning you hold on to it, and then you have more bad moments and suppress those until you have so many you are holding back, which results in not only a bad day, but many bad thoughts about yourself, which can affect your week, year, or your entire life."
#13
Microwaved A Smucker’s Uncrustable (Premade Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich) For 15 Seconds And Got A 2nd Degree Burn. This Is About 5 Days After It Happened
#14
My Legs After Mowing My Lawn While It Was Still Wet
#15
The Semi Truck Got Nailed By A Freight Train. My House Is On The Other Side Of Those Train Tracks
Steggles also recommends having a list of things that a person enjoys doing so they can go back to it when going through a rough patch. Like reading a book, taking a bath, dancing around in the kitchen, or going for a walk. “It is helpful to know your feel-good tool kit,” she says.
#16
Let’s Get A Roomba They Said, You Will Have Less Cleaning They Said
#17
Flashback To When My Dog Chewed A Hamster-Sized Hole In The Drywall. The Last Photo Is Him With The Drywall Dust On His Nose Caught Red-Handed
#18
Found Out The Hard Way That Apparently I'm Very Allergic To Fire Ants
Was getting the mail without shoes on, felt a sting, and immediately swatted it off. Fast forward 5 minutes later, and I'm completely naked in my house, scratching like I've never scratched before. Then I noticed my palms and fingertips were now blue, followed by hives from the top of my neck down to my toes.
Whoopdeedoo 1 month ago
Same with mosquitoes, bed bugs, gnats, ticks, the list goes on
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R Dennis 1 month ago
Went down to Florida for a couple weeks. On the drive back up north, my back started to sting. No a/c and hot, so I thought it was just sweat. Get home and removing my luggage and find a fire ant nest behind the seat. I had blisters on my belt line that turned into open sores and took months to heal. Whenever I see videos of people making aluminum casts of their nest, I think "Good! F**k 'em!"
Jason Kennith 1 month ago
Fire ants use chemical pheromones to coordinate their attacks, allowing them to attack all at the same time. Hence, the name "fire ant." My poor cousin is completely traumatized anytime she sees an ant because she got attacked by a swarm of fire ants in Texas. (She was 5.)
Alex Mosby 1 month ago
This happened to me at the pool last summer. I had no idea I was allergic. My entire body, ENTIRE BODY, was covered in massive welts.
Justin Tyme 1 month ago
I got bit by some of them twice when I was in Air Force basic training in Texas.
Hiram's Friend 1 month ago
The answer to fire ants is Amdro. https://www.amdro.com. Backyard full of fire ants in Georgia. This stuff works.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 month ago
I used to be one of those people who mocked Crocs to the moon and back. I thought I'd never be caught dead wearing a pair of Crocs. Then my puppy got sick (which required a lot of "emergency potty trips" to the backyard, a lot of baths/rinsedowns, and a lot of gross fluids all over the place in the grass) and now I have a pair of Crocs stashed at every door in the house >_>; It doesn't matter if they get wet and they're so easy to put on.
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Jan Feline 3 weeks ago
Once stepped on a nest of fire ants in sandals - not allergic, but miserable, stayed in bed in a benadryl haze for a week
Rayne OfSalt 1 month ago
fun facts about fire ants: their venom is alkaline, not acidic, like a wasp's is. also, like a wasp's venom, fire ant venom doesn't break down or leave your system. So, the more times you get stung, the more likely you are to develop a severe allergy and suffer the effects. Also, fire ants have a stinger they use to inject venom unlike most ants who deliver venom via their mandibles, so one fire ant can and will sting you multiple times in a row (they use their mandibles to grab hold of things, then take a journey to stab-town). Oh yeah, they can swim too so running into the water won't help you escape them.
Tom Brincefield 1 month ago
Don't forget, a bunch of them will hold on to each other and create rafts.
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Susan Rogers 1 month ago
we are currently fighting the fire ant scourge in Queensland Australia. Makes me sad that we might not win
Putting on some tunes may be the most simple remedy to a bad day. Listening to favorite songs can help a person to wind down and take their mind off of things for a while. “A music playlist that gradually moves from uncomfortable emotions to comfortable ones can be a healthy coping strategy and facilitate a positive mood change,” says board-certified music therapist Megan Hoffer.
#19
Someone Threw A Brick Off An Overpass. I Was The Lucky Winner
#20
Came To My Car Window Smashed This Morning. I Don't Know Any Tomas And I'm Not In Debt To Anyone
Verena 1 month ago
It can be worse. The people hired to scare or shoot others because some tiff aren't the brightest. Happens often enough that the fireworks is deposited in the wrong mail box (in NL this is a slit in the entrance door) or bombs planred at the wrong door. Or the wrong person is killed.
#21
Bought My First Car, Got Hit Within Less Than 12 Hours
When things go south, it might feel instinctive to get away from people. However, research suggests doing the opposite and reaching out to others, especially those who are happy and supportive of us. A friendly conversation, even a short one, can change our mood, lower blood pressure, and make us feel good.
#22
Bedroom Ceiling Collapsed
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 month ago
Ugh Glass wool. I used to work construction and that stuff is the worst. Fiberglass insulation is bad but it's somewhat contained by the backing. The old glass wool is exactly what it looks like here. At least it's not asbestos. That's the absolute worst. You get into a remodel on an old building with asbestos and it's hazmat suit time. Tons of fun in the middle of summer. I don't miss those days.
#23
Someone Reversed Their Boat Trailer Into My Rental
#24
This Dental Estimate My Partner Received Was Just To Make Him Pain-Free. This Is After Insurance Too. The Dental Industry Is Absolutely Insane
Simon Chen 1 month ago
I do not really understand why you guys not just jump into the next plane to, i dont know, cuba and have it done there for much less than that and have a nice holiday in addition? Do i oversee something?
Those who want to help out someone whose day isn’t going as anticipated should acknowledge their feelings but avoid reinforcing them or leaving them be, says Steggles. Therefore, she suggests telling them, "I am sorry you are feeling that way. What will you do to cheer yourself up?" or “I am sorry you feel that way? Is there anything we can do together to help you feel differently?"
#25
Can’t Get Back Inside Because She Threw A Hissy Fit And Opened The Stove Bottom Drawer, Which Is Keeping The Door From Opening
#26
Welp
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
Oh dear! I was initially worried that someone blew up their toilet with an industrial grade toileting mishap, but it's scarier to see they could have been impaled sitting on the toilet!
#27
I Came Back From Vacation, And Ants Built Their Colony In My Laptop. Those Crumbs Were All Eggs, And The Inside Of The Laptop Was Full Of Them. The Computer Wouldn’t Turn On
“I recommend that you say "you feel" because it isn't the day that is bad, but their perception of their experience makes it so. I also always try to empower the other person to be responsible for changing things. Taking over and doing things for them may diminish them and make them feel worse,” Steggles explains.
#28
The Store Manager Was Furious At Me (The Customer)
#29
Got Rudely Awaken By The Sound Of Everything In My Kitchen Cupboards Crashing To The Floor
#30
Couldn’t Hit 88 Mph As The Storm Hit
Lastly, she concludes by saying, “Mindfulness is the key to not being dragged into the drama of a bad day. It involves identifying the problem, noticing how you feel, and then choosing what you want to do. If that is what you want, there is nothing wrong with having a bad day.”
#31
Got Woken Up, Naked In My Bed, By Four Police Officers Executing A Search Warrant For Someone Who Hasn’t Lived At My Address In Years
MZ (she/they/he) 1 month ago
From OP: I live in an apartment and they gained access through the building manager. It was pretty f*****g wild, they were literally in my room, in the dark, telling me to wake up. I was like “wtf what’s going on” while they repeatedly asked my name and who else lives here. I kept asking what’s going on and they told me to “pop up and we’ll talk about it”, I said “I’m naked under here!”, at which point one of them said “don’t panic, put some clothes on”, ushered the others out and shut the door. Stepped out into the lounge a few moments later and first thing I said was just to be clear I’m not consenting to you guys being in my home. One of them said “we have a warrant”, and gave me a copy. Another said “it’s ok, we are looking for this guy”, showing me unopened mail addressed to their suspect that I had marked return to sender but hadn’t got around to sending back — s**t like that is kept on a table by the door with my keys, etc. Asked me a few questions and took my contact details.
#32
Water In My Parents' Garage From Hurricane Helene. It's Going To Get Worse. Luckily, The Entire First Floor Of Their House Is A Garage. It Was About 10 Inches When This Was Taken
#33
A Sea Lion Took A Bite Out Of My Salmon While It Was Being Reeled In
#34
Forgot To Close The Window Before Getting A Carwash
#35
I Slipped In The Shower And Went Face-First Into The Knobs. Now My Lips Look Like This
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
And here is Kim Kardashian paying good money to look that ugly when all she had to do was slip in the shower for the exact same look.
#36
Dropped Off My Car To Get My Brakes Changed. Got These Pictures Texted To Me Instead
Apparently, the shop hand didn't know how an electronic e-brake works. Said he parked it in front of the shop, and when he came back out to pull it into the bay, he found it across the parking lot embedded into a wall.
#37
I Am 46. How Bad Must I Look To People?
#38
My Fiancé And I Bought Our First Home A Month Ago. Not Living In The Place Yet, But Today We Found Our Front Window Shattered
#39
Took Out My Earbuds And The Tip Said "No Thanks, I'm Good"
#40
We Grew A Half Acre Of Carrots That All Turned Out Like This (15,000 Lbs)
#41
Was So Looking Forward To Making A Pie
#42
The Paint Store Guy Didn't Close The Can Properly
Bought a car one week ago. Picked up paint while on vacation to paint my mom's house. A teenager working at a paint store didn't close the can properly. That's 1 gallon of slightly greenish-gray wall paint on the floor of my new car.
#43
This Was Not How I Expected To Spend My Wednesday
Shark queen 🦈🦈🦈 1 month ago
If this is real I'm so sorry. (If it's not real highway to hell needs to be in the background.)
#44
2 Hours Into A 7-Hour Road Trip
#45
Guy Found A Novel Way To Break Into My Store
#46
Just Got My PS5 Recently. Had To Evacuate My House A Few Days Ago Because Of A Tropical Typhoon. This Is What I Came Back After The Storm Has Settled
#47
Well, I Managed To Go Four Years Without Getting COVID, And I Got It Right Before A Trip
Undercover 1 month ago
Spent literally 3 months in a hut in the mountains. First contact with other people was a family gathering and my s****y antivaxxer BIL attended while visible sick and infected 5 of us with Covid. All first time infections because we were really careful. 😡🤬
#48
Diaper Got Mixed With Laundry And Went Into Washing Machine. Everything Is Covered In Absorbent Hydro Gel
Rebecca McNall 1 month ago
Did this soooo many times when the kids were younger........... ugh!!!!!!!! I feel for you
#49
My Mom Left Her Car For 2 Months, Came Back To It Covered In Mold
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What do you think ?
GhostlySnail (she/her) 1 month ago
Best wishes to everyone in the southeast USA who is affected by the storms <3
Fellfromthemoon 1 month ago
A roller coaster:one is about a piece of pastry getting mold,the other is about terminal cancer or flood.
Roxy222uk 1 week ago
Yes, I don't think the terminal cancer one is in in keeping with the tone of this list
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Sara Frazer 1 month ago
I'm really glad I went through this list. It's been a really rough day at work and y'all were just cracking me up with your comments 😂
Christopher Crockett 1 month ago
What do I do when I'm having a bad day? Endure. Survive. Cuss a lot.
GhostlySnail (she/her) 1 month ago
Best wishes to everyone in the southeast USA who is affected by the storms <3
Fellfromthemoon 1 month ago
A roller coaster:one is about a piece of pastry getting mold,the other is about terminal cancer or flood.
Roxy222uk 1 week ago
Yes, I don't think the terminal cancer one is in in keeping with the tone of this list
Load More Replies... Sara Frazer 1 month ago
I'm really glad I went through this list. It's been a really rough day at work and y'all were just cracking me up with your comments 😂
Christopher Crockett 1 month ago
What do I do when I'm having a bad day? Endure. Survive. Cuss a lot.
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