Find strength to get through challenging times
Have there been moments in your life when you couldn’t imagine the thought of feeling okay again? Whether it’s going through a breakup or struggling in your career, I know firsthand how the pain can be debilitating and all consuming. You feel like you’re caught in a whirlwind of negative emotions, helpless to stop it.
We’ve all know how uncomfortable negative emotions are and how tempting it is to subdue them. When we’re feeling upset or anxious, we want, more than anything, to make that feeling go away. However, it’s important to remember that with any emotion, it will pass; you can’t feel happy all the time, sad all the time and so on. So, when you’re going through a challenging time, you simply have to ride the wave and have faith that the storm will pass.
No matter what challenge I faced, I made it through. The pain I once felt doesn’t exist now. It’s the ability to move through those difficult moments that has given me resilience. It’s true what they say: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Here are a few coping techniques to give you the strength you need to get through challenging times:
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Find healthy outlets
The source of stress for many of us is when we feel like we have no control over our lives. While it’s natural to seek stability and control, it’s in our best interest to let go. Life is always changing. The irony is that the harder we try to hold on, the more powerless and out of control we feel.
Mindfulness and meditation have the wonderful ability to bring me into a calm and peaceful state of mind amidst the chaos. No matter how busy I am, I create space in my day to find inner peace and connect to the present. It’s only when you are fully present that you are in a meditative state. It could be writing, painting, playing a sport – whatever makes you feel truly in the moment.
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Have a strong support network
Surround yourself with your friends, family and the people who you make you feel good. During difficult times, it’s hard to show yourself love and compassion. When you can’t find the strength within yourself, your family and friends are there to remind you what a great person you are and help you bounce back from life’s disappointments.
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Make a list of what you are grateful for
Being grateful not only increases our happiness and sense of well-being, it helps us effectively deal with adversity. Start to see what’s already good in your life, gratitude for what exists and what is positive.
In the end, I’m grateful for every challenge in my life because it always led me down a better path. Every obstacle was a blessing in disguise; at the time I just didn’t know it.
Stay positive, be patient with yourself in the process and trust that you can deal with any challenge that comes your way.
Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.
