Steps to Overcome Difficult Time When You Must Keep Up With Work
Tough times are a normal part of life. Much like the waves of the ocean, life has its share of ups and downs. Although the intensity of these difficult moments may vary, the solutions are the same and can be applied to any intense life situations.
I have recently navigated through difficult times. It felt as if I’ve hit rock bottom. I was very vulnerable, stressed, and anxious.
While I was going through difficult times, I realized how easy it could be for us to be shaken. No matter how prepared we are or how strong we feel, we can be thrown out of balance in a blink.
When life is challenging, what do you do? The most tempting thing to do is to quit. You just want to stop everything, have a meltdown, and run away from problems, especially when it feels like there is no way out. Psychologists call this learned helplessness. You stop doing something about the issue, even when you are still capable of acting on it.
GIVE UP OR GROW UP
What I learned is we only have two choices when we are going through tough times: either you quit, or you keep on moving. We can choose to give up or grow from it.
The best choice is to keep on moving, even if it’s just one step or one inch at the time. No matter how powerless you feel, you must keep on trying. Show up every morning and do what you have to do to be present and authentic. Focus on what is real in your life at the moment. As my yoga teacher said, “Don’t try to escape the pain by using distractions. Don’t pretend to be fine when you’re not, and when you’re fine, don’t pretend to be suffering.”
Accept the pain. Acknowledge it. It’s normal to feel anxiety, fear, or sadness when you have problems. What’s not normal is when you get stuck and bury yourself in these emotions.
When you have a job to do, and when people depend on you, whether they are your clients, colleagues, teammates, or friends and family members, you need to carry yourself well. Acknowledge the problem, go through that hard phase, and think of ways to overcome it. After all, nothing very bad or very good lasts very long.
STEP TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES
Here are a few practical steps I have learned while going through difficult times in my life. It worked for me, so I am sure it could work for you as well.
1. Set your intentions
Why are you going to do your best to come out of that phase? Make your purpose good not only for yourself but also for the greater good. Think of the people who will benefit from you when you’re at your best, and how you can serve them better.
2. Practice self-love
You matter a lot. What you’re going through must be hard and painful, and it might have been caused by something you did. But be kind to yourself even when you feel ashamed. Mistakes are part of the growth process. And even if you didn’t make any mistake and what happened is beyond your control, remind yourself that you are doing your best and good things will come from that.
You matter a lot. What you’re going through must be hard and painful, and it might have been caused by something you did. But be kind to yourself even when you feel ashamed. Mistakes are part of the growth process. And even if you didn’t make any mistake and what happened is beyond your control, remind yourself that you are doing your best and good things will come from that.
3. Talk about your story
Talk about your challenges with your trusted friends or colleagues. Be authentic and don’t pretend to be okay. Sharing what you’re going through with others helps release tension and anxiety. In many instances, you’d find that others may be going through a similar situation, and it would help to know that you’re not alone in your problems.
4. Reframe your story as much as you can
Tell a redemptive story. Redemptive storytelling is where you state things the way they are, but in the end, you’ll share what your learnings and intake to end on a positive note. Remember, you are what you say.
5. Meditate
I can’t emphasize meditation enough, but it can speed up your healing process. Practicing meditation can help you stay focused and calm. It can also help lower your anxiety and stress levels. From these meditations, you’ll realize that emotions do not always represent you. You can look at your negative emotions from an objective point of view instead of dwelling on them.
6. Stay active
Exercise your body and mind. Keep working on your projects or job, even if it’s a few minutes or hours per day. Some days it will be easier, some days it will be harder. Just keep going. Work out even if it’s just a gentle jog or a few stretches. Working out also relieves stress and anxiety.
7. Spend time in nature
I have always been connected to the ocean. According to Dr. Wallace J Nichols, author of Blue Mind, being in or in front of the water can help calm and clear the mind and improve one’s emotional state.
8. Eat clean
There is a huge connection between what we eat and how we feel. Your mood depends on the nutrients that you put in. When stressed, we also tend to overeat. Eat more foods that help combat anxiety and stress. Some examples are yogurt, avocado, and oatmeal.
9. Ask for help
Don’t try to solve all the problems on your own. Build a support system with people who can comfort you and inspire you to keep going.
When life gets hard, the smartest thing to do is to accept and learn from it. Develop a positive mindset. Remember that you are alive, and that means you have every chance to grow from the experience. Pay attention to things to be grateful for. A simple change in perspective can help ease your burden. Things will also eventually turn around as you put your new learnings into action.