Embracing the Grey Days: Why It's Okay to Feel Down Sometimes Hey there, friends. Today, I want to talk about something we all experience but don’t always give ourselves permission to fully feel—those

By Nathan James BTRU

Hey there, friends. Today, I want to talk about something we all experience but don’t always give ourselves permission to fully feel—those days when we just feel… off. You know the ones—when the world seems a little greyer, your usual spark feels dim, and everything is just a bit much but also not enough at the same time?

Well, I had one of those days today. And if you’ve been having one too, sit with me for a second, because I’ve got something to tell you: it’s okay.

The Weather Within: Some Days Are Just Cloudy

Imagine your emotions as the weather. Some days, the sun is beaming, everything feels good, and you could practically run a marathon (even if you wouldn’t actually sign up for one). Other days, the sky is overcast, the rain starts to fall, and all you want to do is wrap yourself in a blanket and wait it out.

Here’s the thing—you wouldn’t stand outside yelling at the rain, demanding the sun to come back, right? You’d just accept it, knowing that eventually, the clouds will clear.

It’s the same with our feelings. Some days are just grey days, and fighting them only makes them feel heavier. What if, instead of resisting them, we just let them be?

Why We Resist Feeling Down

We live in a world that celebrates hustle, positivity, and high energy. Everywhere you look, you see messages telling you to be productive! Be happy! Manifest good vibes!

But real life? It doesn’t work that way. You are not a robot programmed to feel “good” all the time. You’re a human being. And humans? We have seasons.

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that feeling sad, tired, or unmotivated was a problem to be fixed. But it’s not. It’s just part of being alive.

The River That Keeps Moving: A Metaphor for Your Emotions

Imagine you’re a river. You’re flowing along, strong and steady, moving towards wherever life takes you. But along the way, you hit obstacles—rocks, fallen trees, narrow passages that slow you down.

Now, does the river stop because there’s a rock in the way? Does it decide, “Welp, I guess this is the end for me”?

No. It flows around it. Over it. Through it. It keeps moving because that’s what rivers do.

And that’s you. Even on your slowest, heaviest, most unmotivated days, you’re still moving. You’re still here. And that’s enough.

A Contemporary Quote to Reflect On

Dita Von Teese once said:
“Some days are just bad days, that's all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day, that's just the way it is!”

And she’s right. Happiness wouldn’t mean anything if we didn’t experience its opposite. It’s contrast that gives life meaning.

Nathan James BTRU Quote to Live By:

"Embrace the grey days; they're the contrast that makes the bright ones shine even brighter."

And let’s be real—if we only ever had good days, we’d take them for granted. It’s the rough patches that make the good ones feel so damn sweet.

How to Handle a Sad or Flat Day (Without Trying to “Fix” It)

So, if today is one of those days, here’s what I want you to remember:

💛 You don’t need to force yourself to be happy. You’re allowed to just be.
💛 You don’t have to “earn” rest. If you need to take it slow, do it.
💛 You don’t have to figure everything out today. Some days are for healing, not solving.

Some Practical Ways to Ride It Out:

1️⃣ Acknowledge it. Say to yourself: “Okay, today is just one of those days. And that’s okay.”
2️⃣ Do something small that feels good. A warm drink, a cozy blanket, a favourite song on repeat—comfort matters.
3️⃣ Go outside, even for five minutes. Fresh air does things to your brain that scrolling never will.
4️⃣ Move gently. Stretch, walk, or just roll around in bed if that’s all you can manage.
5️⃣ Remind yourself that it will pass. Because it will. It always does.

Final Thoughts: The Sky Always Clears

You don’t have to love the grey days. You don’t have to embrace them with open arms and a forced smile. But you can accept them. You can sit with them, let them exist, and know that they will pass.

Because they will.

And when they do? The sun will feel warmer. The sky will seem brighter. And you’ll realize that, even on your hardest days, you kept moving forward anyway.

💛 If you’re having one of those days today, I see you. I’m with you. And you’re doing just fine. 💛

Nathan James