“Tough times don’t last; Tough people do”.
If you find yourself wondering if everything is go wrong in 2020, you are far from alone. This year also has seen more than its share of heartache or loss, and it isn’t over yet.
It’s happened to most of us. Despite our best intentions, something goes dreadfully wrong. You suffer a heartbreaking loss, make a terrible mistake, or get injured.
In disbelief your mind cries, this can’t be happening to me.
After the initial shock, when the surge of stress hormones has subsided, you realize that yes, this is happening.
I have been there at times wherein I can’t help but thinking: “how could this happen? It’s not fair. I can’t bear it. Why me? Why now? How will I ever get through this?”
Your mind is reeling. You feel anxious and dejected. It’s challenging to stay strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
These are listed self-care practices that may keep you from capsizing when the seas grow rocky.
1) Power of Choice
No matter what your circumstances, you have the power to choose your direction and how to use your energy. You can choose to use your energy in positive, productive ways or in negative, destructive ways. Either way, the choices you make now determine your future.
2) Accept what is, no matter what
Accepting what is, instead of judging it, puts you in a state of inner non-resistance. You can still want to change things, but you have a calmer attitude, and any action you take to improve your situation is more effective.
3) Learn to HALT
Anytime you feel negative, you can use the HALT technique to identify whether physical sensations contribute to your mood. HALT stands for hungry, angry, lonely and tired. While the method won’t chase your problems away, it can help you practice necessary self-care.
4) Let Go of Things You Can’t
You can use mindfulness techniques to let go of those things you can’t control. Once you shrug the weight of trying to change something that you really can’t off your shoulders, you can devote more energy to those you can influence
5) Be grateful
Practice focusing on what’s going right. Notice things to be grateful for every day. Soon, finding something to be grateful for will become your automatic response to anything that happens
6) Trust yourself
It’s better to trust in your own feelings and intuition—even if you make mistakes along the way—than to look outside yourself for guidance.
7) Forgive
True forgiveness means that you accept the reality of what happened without an emotional charge. Practice forgiving others and releasing the toxic resentment that hurts your heart. Forgive yourself too; we all make mistakes at one time or another. Making a habit of forgiveness frees you to move on with your life and experience higher levels of inner peace.
When it seems like everything’s going wrong, staying strong can prove challenging. But practicing these habits when times are fairly good will enhance your life and help you stay strong during the hard times.
Try at least picking one and start practicing, you will become stronger, wiser, and more resilient no matter what life throws at you.
If I can do it, you can too.
Much Love
RK
