#FridayFacts. Lemonade is not the solution.

The story goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. The idea is that if things don't turn out as you had hoped, that's okay. Just adapt, be grateful, and keep going. The sentiment is well-meaning, and the people who tell you to make lemonade want to inspire you to make the best of what you have.

The problem is it can make you feel like you were wrong to be ticked off in the first place. Like when life giving you lemons isn't a blessing in disguise. For example, you lose your job, or your marriage breaks down. Or your job is a burden, and the boss is a prick. Perhaps you're diagnosed with cancer, or a friend dies in an awful accident. When life hands us lemons, it's not always possible or healthy to look on the bright side.

So I'm reminding myself that next time life hits us with its lemons, not to limit myself or a mate to self-talk like 'just deal with it and see the best.' Instead, I will talk about how difficult and shitty things really are.

Photo thanks to Thitiphum Koonjantuek on Unsplash