Overcoming the Challenges of life

When we are faced with challenges, our minds can play tricks on us. Making us feel as if we aren’t important and that our presence doesn’t matter to those around us. Look around and you’ll find people who care, and that you mean the world too. You matter, and your existence in this world matters and makes a difference to those around you. I know it’s easy to lose sight of this on those bad days. When the world feels like it’s crashing down, and no one would miss you if you disappeared. Your presence will be missed by all those who’ve gotten the chance to get to you know.

There’s a light that shines within us, and sometimes in life, we are faced with challenges that try to dim our light. Bad days or things don’t happen to break us, but to teach us and help us grow. We aren’t handed more than what we can handle, but enough to build resilience. For those who feel they’ve reached their limit, remember that you don’t have to carry the burden alone. There are people in your life willing to carry some of the burdens to help you get through it. For those, who are struggling to overcome the challenges life has thrown at them. Here are some tools to aid you in your journey.

Gratitude

When we are faced with difficulties, it is easy for us to lose sight of the good that we have around us. For example, you can take too wide of a turn and scratch your car. Your first instinct is to get upset and to start blaming yourself. You think of what you could have done differently, and every time you see the scratch, it brings back all the negative emotions. Instead, change the way you look at the situation, by focusing on what you have instead of what you lack. Though you scratched your car, you still have a car that runs and gets you where you need to go. You can always repair the scratch, and next time you know what to do to not make the same mistake. When you shift your focus to gratitude, it becomes less of a big deal.

Gratitude like all things takes practice, and it becomes easier the more you do it. Start small by making a list of those you’re grateful for when you first wake up and before you go to bed. You can say it out loud or write it down. From there you can make gratitude journaling a part of your daily routine. By journaling daily about the things that you’re grateful for. When you practice gratitude daily and make it a part of your routine. The bad doesn’t seem so bad because you’re able to focus on the good and not the bad.

Shift Your Thoughts

Along with gratitude is shifting our thoughts from negative to positive. It’s no easy task when you feel as if things are crumbling around you. With everything, it is best to take it one step at a time. Start with getting off the self pitty train, and stop complaining. When you complain you’re not changing anything about the situation. You’re only making it drag out longer, and you’re not a victim of your circumstances. Ask yourself what you can do instead of complaining. For example, instead of complaining about a flat tire. You can take action towards resolving the issue. Instead of focusing your thoughts on what has already happened, you can shift your thoughts to finding a solution. Facing challenges are part of life, they can become a setback if you let them.

Develop a Support System

When you’re faced with adversity, it is easy to feel as if you have to face it alone. The truth is, you don’t have to face adversity alone. There are always people in your corner who are ready to help you through a challenging situation. Rather it is a close friend, or mental health professional. Long as it’s someone you are comfortable confiding in. They can help you in finding possible solutions of let you know that you’re not alone in what you’re feeling. Giving you a feeling of comfort and that you can handle the situation.

If a person you care about is in crisis, please encourage them to seek help immediately. Direct them to contact 1-800-273-8255 to reach a 24-hour crisis center, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call these numbers if you fear for someone’s safety or life.

Related post: Developing a Growth Mindset

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