Regardless of age, gender and socioeconomic status, we have all been there. Feeling like whatever we are going through will never end. And, on those days, all we really want to do is to stay in bed until our problems are magically fixed. Unfortunately, staying in that mindset helps no one, especially us. The truth is, it’s okay to feel the way we do but then we need to pick ourselves up and start again. Here are a few steps to doing just that.
- Acceptance – This is by far, the hardest part of it all. Accepting that whatever it is, has happened. Friends and family will tell you, “it’s okay, it happened, just move on already” and although they mean well, you need to come to terms with this on your own and in a healthy way. My tip – take as long as you need. There is no timetable on coming to acceptance.
- Breathe – You’re not alone. It may seem and feel like you’re alone in your problem but in actuality, you’re not. Once you begin feeling this way, take a moment and breathe. There’s probably millions of people going through a similar issue you are dealing with. You’re not alone! Here are 6 breathing exercises that can help you relax in 10 minutes or less.
- Make a list – List your goals… the small ones, the big ones, the scary ones or all the above. It’s important to set goals for yourself because it fuels you in the best possible way. There are so many resources that teaches you how to set goals. Find one that works for you and apply it to your goals.
- Surround yourself with positive people – Energy is transmittable. Therefore, it is vital to surround yourself with friends and family who are positive, supportive and genuinely want to see you grow. Our environments have a larger impact on how we think, feel and act, more than we think. My tip – be selective with the people you seek advice from and surround yourself with.
- Exercise: Many of us despise the thought of exercising. But what we fail to realize is that exercising not only has an impact on our physical bodies but it positively impacts our moods and our overall mental health. Simply taking a walk on your lunch break or running in the park for 30 minutes a day can make all the difference. According to the New York Times, “small amounts of exercise could have an outsize effect on happiness.” In other words, leave what you are doing right now and go for a walk.
Take as much time as you need to accomplish each step and celebrate your small wins because you deserve it.
Remember:
- Timetables for self-growth does not exist.
- You’ve got this, you really do!