Tough times are exactly that: tough. When you are navigating a hard situation, you’re experiencing loneliness or loss, you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, or you’re simply overwhelmed with everything that’s going on around you, it’s okay to feel down. The last year and a half has been incredibly hard for almost everyone. For many people, it has been downright devastating.
All of us go through ups and downs in life and when we are in those rough patches, it is important to remember to stay connected to yourself. Going through storms can show you who you really are and what you want out of life. It may also eliminate things that are not right for you, so you can truly connect with the most important parts of yourself.
So, as you traverse the waters of difficulty, keep your head up. You will make it through this and even if you’re at the height of the storm, you can be confident knowing that it won’t last forever.
#1: Listen to yourself.
The noise right now in the world is very loud. There are lots of opinions, distractions, and news out there that can easily pull you away from what is important. Staying connected to yourself means taking the time to listen to yourself. What do you need? What things are distracting you from living the life that you envisioned? What’s good for you and what things are zapping your energy? Take a moment to be quiet – be still – and listen to yourself. Doing so will give you a better picture of what you need to experience life to its fullest.
#2: Hear what’s being said.
Once you start getting some direction from yourself, enjoy the silence and listen to your own voice and what it’s saying. Ignore thoughts that cause you pain. Those voices won’t get you anywhere. Instead, listen to your intuition – your gut and your heart. These are the things that will tell you what’s right for you, and they will help give you the clarity you need to step out of a tough time and back into the light.
#3: Give yourself grace.
The circumstances in your life right now might not be exactly what you want. Have faith in yourself and give yourself grace along the way. If there are obstacles and problems that are causing stumbling blocks and creating a difficult time for you, do what you can to instigate change. If there are things out of your control that are getting to you, focus on what things you can do.
No matter what, find things that make you feel good, encourage you, and give you the fuel to be who you were created to be. Life is full of bumpy roads, but those bumps each put an etch into the story of your life. They develop your character, helping you become a stronger person that can handle anything that comes your way.