Dear Diary,
I’m learning that sometimes the best way to live life is simply day by day.
Not next week.
Not next month.
Not six months from now.
Just today.
Because I can spend all day worrying about tomorrow, creating scenarios in my head, stressing over things I cannot change, and trying to control outcomes that were never mine to control in the first place.
And you know what that changes?
Absolutely nothing. 😂
Except maybe my blood pressure and my mood.
So lately, I’ve been reminding myself to come back to today.
🌻 The Little Things Aren’t Really Little
There was a time when I thought gratitude had to be attached to something big.
A promotion.
A vacation.
A major accomplishment.
A celebration.
But life has taught me differently.
Sometimes gratitude looks like waking up after a good night’s sleep.
Sometimes it’s laughing until your stomach hurts.
A phone call from someone you love.
Your favorite song coming on at exactly the right moment.
A beautiful sunset.
A good meal.
A quiet house.
A productive day.
Or simply having a day where nothing spectacular happened—but nothing terrible happened either.
Those ordinary moments deserve gratitude too.
Actually, I’m starting to think those moments make up most of the good stuff.
Maybe the little things were never little. Maybe we were just too busy waiting for the big things to notice them.
💭 Life Has a Way of Changing the Plans
I’ve lived enough life to know that things can change without asking permission.
Plans change.
People change.
Circumstances change.
Sometimes your entire normal changes.
And somewhere along the way, I realized I have a choice.
I can spend the good days worrying about what might happen tomorrow…
Or I can actually enjoy the good day while I have it.
That doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect.
It doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities, avoiding difficult conversations, or walking around acting like nothing bothers me.
Because please. 😂
I am still me.
It simply means learning the difference between something I can do something about and something I am only worrying about.
Those are not the same thing.
🌻 I Cannot Control Everything
Now this one?
This one is still a work in progress. 😂
Because I like plans.
I like answers.
I like knowing what’s happening, why it’s happening, what we’re doing about it, and preferably having a backup plan for the backup plan.
Life apparently did not receive that memo.
There will always be things outside of my control.
Other people’s decisions.
Unexpected changes.
Timing.
Delays.
Disappointments.
Things that simply do not go according to plan.
I can worry about them.
Replay them.
Overthink them.
Lose sleep over them.
Get irritated about them.
But none of that gives me control.
It only steals peace from the part of life I do have some control over:
How I choose to live today.
🌻 So Today…
I’m choosing to appreciate what is right in front of me.
I’m choosing to be grateful for the people who love me.
For laughter.
For another morning.
For opportunities.
For lessons—even the annoying ones.
For the moments when life feels light.
And even for the days that don’t go according to plan, because somehow I keep making it through those too.
I don’t need to have everything figured out today.
I don’t need every question answered.
And I certainly don’t need to borrow stress from tomorrow when today already has enough going on. 😂
I can simply take the day I’ve been given and live it.
🎵 Music Playing…
“Unwritten” — Natasha Bedingfield
Because maybe there is something freeing about not knowing exactly what comes next.
I don’t have to write tomorrow’s chapter today.
I just have to live this page.
💭 Reflection Corner
Today I’m asking myself:
What am I stressing about that I cannot control?
What small thing happened today that deserves my gratitude?
Am I actually living today—or am I so busy worrying about tomorrow that I’m missing it?
Life moves quickly enough without me rushing ahead of it.
Tomorrow will come whether I worry about it or not.
So today, I’m going to notice the little things.
Appreciate the good things.
Release what I cannot control.
And actually live the life happening right in front of me.
Today, I’m here.
Today, I’m grateful.
And today, that is enough. 🌻
💬 Your Turn
What is one “little thing” you’re grateful for today?
💜 The Dual Diagnosis Diaries | Kia’s Journey
Real life. Real lessons. Real laughter. One day at a time.
Kia Lorice
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
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