We’ve all been there.  That time when we don’t know how we’re going to make it through.  Whether it’s the next 24 hours or the next year, we falter and wonder how to do it.  And that’s when we realize that we’re only going to get through it by focusing on one day at a time.  If you find yourself in one of those situations, we’ve all heard the term “one day at a time” but does that help?

I remember a TV show in the 70’s called One Day at a Time, which was controversial in it’s subject matters–for it’s time, must seem lame nowadays.  The show focused on a mother and her two daughters who were trying to start over again after a divorce.  I remember doing that.  I remember how long it took for my divorce to happen, which made me feel helpless.  I was the one carrying the weight of the debt, the house, the child while my ex had moved across the country and only showed up through harassing phone calls.  I don’t even remember what sparked it, but I was sobbing at one point and wishing for the year to be over–it was summer. Things had hit rock botton in terms of yet another court date that was postponed and I was so frustrated when I uttered the words.  But right at that moment, just after the words “I wish the year was over,” flew out of my mouth, I looked at the wall and saw a picture of my cousin and I when we were kids.  I had it out because I’d recently sent her a copy to make her laugh while she was going through chemotherapy.  I immediately felt shame as I asked, “What if I just wished my cousin’s life away? What if she died this year and I just wished for it to happen sooner?”

I made a promise at that moment, a silent promise to my cousin.  I would get through it, one day at a time, just like she was and we would both emerge at the other end better and happier than when we started.  And we did.  Both of us.  That was thirteen years ago.  But I’m not immune to feeling desperate about getting through tough times.  It most recently happened as my sister was dying.  Those are the days when you’re not sure how you’re going to get through them, but you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on just getting through that day.  That one day.  Not thinking about the rest of the week or year, but that day, right in front of you.  It’s not easy, but eventually, you do get through.  That’s why I selected these 8 quotes to help you through one day at a time.

I’m trying to stay as calm as possible and focus one day at a time, but when reality sets in, I feel everything: anxiety, excitement, nerves, pressure and joy.

Shawn Johnson

 

Life is like an ice-cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time.

Charles M. Schulz
You never know where life is going to take you. So everything I do, I just take it one day at a time, and it always leads you to the right place.

Kyle Massey

 

Take life on life’s terms – one day at a time. And have fun while you’re doing it.

Joe Perry

 

Now I’m starting, relatively, to think straight again. I live one day at a time, one hour at a time. What makes it all worthwhile is my children.

Paula Yates

 

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

Abraham Lincoln

 

Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules.

Wayne Dyer

 

My motivation is tomorrow, just one day at a time, right?

Rafael Nadal