Looking back at all the “tough stuff” I’ve gone through in life I’ve noticed a common theme that has pulled me through. When you find yourself thinking “Ugh, how did I get here?” “How can I find happiness again?” I encourage you to take a deep breath and remember these three steps.
- Take Action: When you are feeling super low this can be a tough thing to do. It can seem so much easier to just stay in bed and pull the covers over your head. Maybe even more practical, going about your everyday routine without changing anything. You are going through the motions, but you are doing nothing to actually better your situation.
Action takes effort, but it makes all the difference. When you feel super out of control, think about the little things you CAN do. Seek out therapy, start a new hobby, force yourself to get out of the house, write down your feelings. Do something instead of ignoring the problem. - Connect with Others: No matter how alone you feel in your troubles, trust me, you are Not Alone. This is where social media and the internet can be a beautiful thing. Search blogs, Google what you are going through, post what you are going through on Facebook and you will be shocked at how the world opens up and you will find at least someone who has been there and who you can lean on for support and guidance as you navigate through the storm.
- Find Hope: This is crucial. Even if all the odds are against you, find that sunshine somewhere. I think one of the toughest challenges to find this hope in is death or
a terminal diagnosis. It’s easy to feel completely hopeless under these circumstances, but you have to move forward. Hope for happiness again someday. Hope to be the person your loved one would want you to be. Whatever you do, don’t lose hope, and if you do, go into emergency mode to find it!
It’s easy to look back on trials and say, “I grew from that” or “I can now see why God placed that challenge in my life.” When you are in the thick of it, it is a completely different tale, but you can do this. You may never get over it, but you can can get through it and find that smile again.
