Bumps in the road: three ways to deal with a bad day

Julie Murphy • August 10, 2011

No matter how confident and self-assured you may feel, you may be faced with the dreaded “bad day” every once in a while. And how you deal with a bad day can be pretty destructive: overeating, snapping on those closest to you or crawling into a shell and internalizing everything.

Or maybe you use your bad day as an excuse to indulge in a shopping spree and, in the process, a financial breakdown. You rationalize your excessive spending by telling yourself that your dreams were just too big anyway – you can’t have that house you fantasize about or open up your own business. But those statements can’t be further from the truth.

Don’t abandon your dreams of a long vacation or your dream home because you’re having a low moment. A lag in your confidence is when you need to remind yourself of why exactly you took the path you did in the first place. Here are three great boosters that can keep you can do to keep you on track on your bad day.

Write yourself a letter

Those encouraging words you mean whole-heartedly when a friend is having a bad day? Well, you should be saying those exact same things to yourself when you aren’t at your best. Be prepared for this moment by having little notes of encouragement to yourself.

I really love the idea of penning a hand-written letter to yourself on a beautiful blank greeting card (you’re worth it!). You can tell yourself how great you are and to not let this bad day ruin your progress. Remind yourself that this too shall pass, and end it with an inspiring quote that always brings you back to your happy place.

Go for a walk

Or a run. Or a bike ride. Doing some sort of physical activity is a great way to ease depression and anxiety symptoms, which means it’s also a mood elevator. Going for a simple 15 minute walk also gets you away from whatever is stressing you out – and it keeps you out of the stores and off of Amazon. So head to that yoga class or lift some weights at the gym.

Help somebody else

Few things in life feel better than putting a smile on someone else’s face. And you don’t have to volunteer a bunch of time for an organization to do that (though I’m not discouraging you at all!); it’s as simple as acknowledging the people who are around you. Talk to the new coworker about their hobbies. Smile at the person in line in front of you at Starbucks. Or crack a joke to a friend who may be feeling down.

The main thing to remember when your bad day seems like it won’t end is that, well, it will. So before you run to Macy’s for some retail therapy, gently remind yourself that you can deal with your emotions in a much healthier way.

Sign up for my weekly words of wisdom (in the top right-hand corner of your screen) for encouraging thoughts each Tuesday. And be sure to check out my book, The Emotion Behind Money, for guidance and healing. You can take control of your finances, and I can help you.

Tags: dealing with a bad day, deal with a bad day, having a bad day, Julie Murphy, Chicago financial planner, Chicago women in finance

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How to End the Year Like the Wealthy Do

By Julie Murphy • December 10, 2025

Reset Your Money Energy for 2026 Every December, we all feel that pull, the desire to “be better with money next year.” But here’s the secret I’ve seen again and again after nearly three decades of walking alongside people from all walks of life: Financially wealthy people don’t just plan their next year — they energetically complete the one they’re leaving. They close loops. They clear emotional residue. They realign their energy field before they set a single goal. And you can absolutely do the same. As I share in The Emotion Behind Money , wealth is never created by logic alone. It comes from managing the emotions behind your money and understanding that money itself is energy. And in Awaken Your Wealth , I remind readers that energetic shifts begin when you consciously picture yourself stepping into a new reality, while compassionately acknowledging the one you’re standing in now. So let’s walk through the simple year-end process I teach my clients — one that spiritually, emotionally, and financially resets your money field for a powerful 2026. 1. Review Your 2025 Wins & Losses With Compassion Before you step into the new year, look back with the most loving, nonjudgmental eyes possible. I call it neutral observation . Wealthy people don’t spiral into shame when something didn’t go perfectly. They get curious. Ask yourself: Where did I expand financially this year? Where did I contract emotionally or economically? What choices were truly aligned with my values? Which ones came from fear, scarcity, or old patterns? In Awaken Your Wealth , the “Accepting Reality and Awakening” step of PACT teaches that awareness without judgment is how we break old money patterns for good. So breathe. Notice. Write it down. No shame. No spiral. Just truth. 2. Forgive Any Money Mistakes Here’s a truth most people never consider: Every financial mistake carries emotional weight and emotional weight blocks money flow. From my work in The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money , we know that your heart’s energy is more powerful than your brain’s logic, and intention is what redirects energy back into alignment. Forgiveness, of yourself, your past self, or others involved, releases stagnant money energy. Try this: Write down any money decisions from 2025 that still feel heavy. Place your hand on your heart. Say: "I forgive the version of me who made this choice. She/he did the best they could with what they knew at the time.” Forgiveness isn’t about letting mistakes slide. It’s about resetting your emotional money field so you can co-create something new. 3. Create an Energetic Closing Ceremony for the Year This is where wealthy people truly separate themselves; they honor the transition. You can create your own year-end ceremony using whatever resonates from your spiritual toolkit. Here are a few ideas inspired by the intention-setting and clearing practices throughout my work: Light a candle Symbolize releasing the old year and calling in the new. Write a “completion list” Include everything you’re ready to release: debts you’re no longer carrying shame over, relationships you’re energetically cutting cords from, patterns you’re finished reenacting. Burn or bury the list This physical act tells the Universe: “I’m done living from this version of myself.” In The Emotion Behind Money , we explore how inherited beliefs and emotional patterns repeat until they are consciously released. This ceremony is your line in the sand. End with intention Close with one powerful intention for 2026, aligned from your heart: “I choose a new flow of abundance.” “I trust that money comes to me with ease.” “I allow myself to receive the wealth I’ve been working toward.” As The 4 Spiritual Laws of Money reminds us: “The Universe responds to action.” Your ceremony is your spiritual action. Ready to Step Into 2026 Aligned, Clear & Empowered? If you’re craving deeper support with your financial reset, join me for my Emotions Behind Money Workshop in January. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to recalibrate your relationship with money, this is your moment. Let’s make 2026 the year your inner wealth and your financial reality finally match. You deserve abundance and you’re closer than you think. With love, alignment & a whole lot of possibility, Julie ✨