

A Little Light for Dark Days—Pay What You Can
Some days, everything feels like too much.
You’re overwhelmed. Or heartbroken. Or simply running on empty.
You don’t need another productivity hack. You don’t want someone to tell you to “be positive.” You just want to feel a little better. A little less consumed by it all.
You want someone to say, “Yep, it’s hard—and here’s something small and simple that might lighten your emotional load and give you a moment to breathe.”
That’s exactly what this is.
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We all hit those stretches—when everything feels heavy, and even tiny things feel hard. You might feel anxious for no clear reason, or deeply sad about something that feels out of your control. Maybe you're exhausted from trying to hold it all together, or you're grieving the life you thought you'd be living by now.
That’s why I created something softer. Something you can hold onto when everything feels unstable. Something that doesn’t try to fix you or your life but instead helps you find a little relief from the big pains.
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When Life Sucks: 21 Days of Laughs and Light is a daily email series designed to lift your spirits, one small moment at a time.
For 21 days, you’ll receive bite-sized doses of humor, insight, and emotional support. These aren’t pep talks or platitudes. They’re honest, heartfelt notes with stories, reflections, and tiny tools to help you feel just a little bit lighter.
This is comfort, perspective, and a few good laughs, sent straight to your inbox.
What You’ll Gain
When you sign up, you’ll…
Receive daily moments of relief when life feels heavy or hard
Feel less alone in your struggles—because I’m in the trenches too
Discover humor in the mess—because laughter really does help
Gently shift your perspective without toxic positivity
Remember that you can hold space for joy and pain at the same time
What You’ll Get
Here’s what’s included:
- 21 daily emails, each offering:
- A short, personal story from someone who truly gets it
- Gentle guidance to help reframe your hardest moments
- Light humor to remind you it’s okay to laugh through the mess
- A simple practice to spark levity, joy, or calm
- Printable workbooks to help you overcome internal resistance
- Bite-sized content—readable in five minutes or less
- Delivered right to your inbox—no apps, no logins, no pressure
"I delighted in my short daily read and your lovely, fun writing style. Your tips and tools were so simple and easy, yet things I never ever thought of to bring some fun, ease, and joy to my days, especially otherwise dreary ones. Your little videos gave me a good laugh or giggles, and truth be told, some took me down a rabbit hole of Google or scrolling laughter. I just LOVED that! Your download sheets in most emails were an additional tool that went over and above. I used the worksheets and have them to go back to. I really had no idea 21 days of a two- to three-minute read could be so joyous!" ~Linda R.
"This was a wonderful series. I very much enjoyed it! I knew each email would always be worth my time, so it was nice to see it there and made me look forward to the moment when I could read it. The length of time spent to read each one was very reasonable, and it was more meaningful having real life examples of how the tips can work instead of just a list. The other gems were the tools that were provided. They seemed like bonuses but were really amazingly useful and enjoyable to look over and think about. The whole thing somehow gave me permission to seek and bask in little bits of joy, no matter how serious or heavy the situation is. I’m always worried I might not be taking things seriously enough, but the truth is it’s the hard times when you really can feel how big of a difference it makes to have these little reminders and insights." ~Callie E.
A Little About Me and Why I Created This Series
I’m Lori Deschene, founder of Tiny Buddha and the writer behind When Life Sucks: 21 Days of Laughs and Light. I created this series during a time when I felt like I was drowning—and not in a poetic, soul-expanding way. I mean full-body, bone-deep exhaustion, the kind that makes you forget what ease ever felt like.
As someone who formerly struggled with PTSD, depression, bulimia, and binge drinking, I know what it’s like to feel broken, and I spent years putting the pieces of myself back together. But this past fall tested me anew. After a string of health issues, tests, and treatments left me depleted, I learned that someone I love was facing a major diagnosis—and the uncertainty and powerlessness felt suffocating.
As a mom of two young kids without a nearby village to lean on, I was already emotionally overwhelmed. I didn’t want more advice, more tools, or more to-do’s. I just wanted relief. I wanted small pockets of space where I could breathe. Moments that didn’t feel so hard. A little light in the dark.
That’s what inspired me to create this series.
I didn’t write it from a place of having it all figured out. I wrote it while in the thick of it, in the mess and the murk. Every email was an honest reflection of what helped me feel just a little better—and a little better equipped to handle life’s pain and uncertainty. The practices I shared were simple, accessible, and most importantly, healing. Not because they “fixed” anything, but because they gave me permission to soften, laugh, and reconnect with myself in the midst of everything.
Writing this series was deeply cathartic for me, and the exercises truly helped. My hope is that they can offer you the same comfort and relief—not as a solution to everything, but as a companion for anything you’re facing.
When life feels unbearably hard, it helps to take things on moment at a time—and that becomes a lot easier when you choose to infuse some of those moments with a little laughter and light.
Ready to Feel a Little Lighter?
Even if things feel dark right now, you can still find a little joy. A little beauty. A little reason to smile.
Let this series remind you: maybe life doesn’t actually suck—because there’s always a little light to be found, even on the darkest days.
Want in? Just fill in your details and tap the buttom, and I’ll send you 21 days of comfort, humor, and hope—starting today, for only $25. If money’s tight right now, you’re welcome to pay whatever you can. No amount is too low. I’m happy to share the light with anyone who needs it, and I hope it helps!