Ralph Waldo Emerson – Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could
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Today is November 19th, and welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, and I’m happy you’re here with me today.
Today, we’re celebrating National Have a Bad Day Day. It’s a day that encourages us to just be real. No more “Have a nice day!” reflexes—today, you’ve got permission to admit that maybe, just maybe, things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Our quote today comes from the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.”
Emerson’s words remind us that not every day is going to be a win. And that’s okay. Sometimes we need to just accept that a day was rough, let it go, and know that tomorrow will bring a fresh start.
For people who work in customer service, retail, or any job with a smile requirement, this can be especially challenging. Maybe you’ve had a morning where the coffee didn’t hit right, or maybe life’s throwing you curveballs from every angle. Still, there’s that unspoken rule: no matter what’s going on in your own life, you’re supposed to be chipper and upbeat. And that’s where Emerson’s advice can help—do what you can with the day you’re given, and when it’s over, let it go.
On social media, of course, it can feel like everyone’s day is going spectacularly all the time. We’re constantly exposed to pictures of the best moments: the perfect family photos, the elaborate dinners, the happy vacation shots. But life’s not really like that. Behind each post, there’s a person with a mix of good days and bad ones, just like the rest of us. Emerson’s message is clear: it’s okay to have a bad day and let it go, without feeling pressured to put a filter on it.
So today, let’s cut ourselves a break. If it’s not your best day, so be it. The best thing you can do is wrap it up, let it go, and trust that tomorrow’s a new page.
Thanks for joining me on The Daily Quote. I’m Andrew McGivern, reminding you that each day is a chapter, not the whole story. See you tomorrow.