Sometimes life can test us, wouldn’t you agree? So often we can compare our life to a pack of cards. Some hands you are dealt are life-changing and winning opportunities, others are sent to test us or certainly seek out our best poker face to get through. Life is challenging, there is no shying away from that fact. So what happens when tragedy strikes? Maybe you have lost a loved one, a marriage is ending or you have been involved in an accident that has left you with life-changing injuries, these are all things that can have an adverse effect on us. Even the current global pandemic that we all find ourselves in right now can have us feeling anxious and a little lost.
When the hand you have been dealt right now isn’t looking too promising there really are only two ways you can handle it, feel sorry for yourself or take ownership and move forward. With that in mind, here are some of the ways you can move forward when life has you stuck.
Start with the Basics of Self Care and Health
It may sound so very obvious, but none of us are the best at taking care of ourselves at the best of times, especially when things aren’t going our way. It is essential that you take the right steps to ensure that you look after yourself. There are several things that you can do, but breaking bad habits and being more accountable to your day to day life is what will get you through to help you move forward. Here are some of the basics that you should consider:
- Diet – One of the first things to consider is how you are eating. A diet is simply not just about weight loss or anything extreme. It is more to do with having a balanced approach to the things you consume. Ensuring that you are getting all of the food groups and giving your body what it needs to function correctly.
- Drinking plenty of water. Again this will sound obvious but it is essential that you keep yourself hydrated.
- Exercise more frequently. Being active can help us to feel better physically and mentally. So if you are not as active as you should be then this could be hindering your chances of feeling better. Give yourself the best possible chance of coping. Choose to be more active by walking or going for a run. Even doing a workout at home. It doesn’t mean that you have to go to the gym and take on gruelling activities. Just choosing to be more thrive can be enough at this stage.
- Book in essential appointments. If you need an eye test then get it booked and you can find it here online if you need new frames. If you need a dental health check then book one in. Doing these things can help you to feel more accomplished and also ensure that you feel yourself and better.
Fix What Can Be Fixed
In some cases fixing something sounds extremely simple and often it isn’t as easy as that, I understand that. But fixing something can come in all shapes and sizes. For example, a tragic accident leaving you with a painful injury could mean that a simple positive step to see a specialist could improve your lifestyle dramatically. Opening up a line of communication between you and loved one could be the positive step for reconciliation. A job loss can be fixed by being proactive with hunting for a new one. Money problems can be solved with budgeting and taking ownership for your current situation. I understand that not all situations can be fixed, but you can choose to take the right steps forward.
Acceptance Can Be A Vital Step
As previously pointed out, often in some cases things can’t be fixed. The loss of a loved one or family member can be devastating, and you can’t exactly bring them back into your life, but acceptance of this time could be the positive step to take to move forward. Perhaps a relationship has broken down for good, maybe something unforgivable was done, so accepting instead of feeling hatred or hurt could be the ideal next move to make. It’s important to understand what you can do and what you can’t. But acceptance in both parts is a vital step.
Positivity Can Get You Far
Positivity is something that has already been mentioned and it is something that can get you far with the process of moving forward and taking ownership of your life after tragedy. Negativity breeds negativity and you may find that the black hole you feel you are in now is only going to get worse if you wallow in self-pity. Make a habit of a positive thought process and don’t allow yourself to dwell for too long on anything negative. There are things that you can do to help you have a better approach with your mindset. These include:
- A focus on gratitude. Being thankful for everything and all of the good in your life may feel forced at first, but it will soon develop into a new habit. Feeling thankful will help you to feel more positive and focus on the good things.
- Actively change the nature of your thoughts. This means that if something negative has popped into your mind, it is worth trying to switch it around into something more positive. This again will feel forced at first but habits will change.
- Meditation, yoga and other exercises can have a huge impact on your mental mindset and help you to feel more positive.
Start Taking Care of You
Finally, start by taking care of yourself a little more. Accept when you need time, indulge in what makes you feel good and take care of yourself. No one can run on empty and it is vital to fill yourself up with your own fuel of positivity and energy. That might come from a long soak in the bath or some time doing a hobby you enjoy. Look at what you love and enjoy and make time for more of it. You will be a better person for it.
Let’s hope these things help you to feel better soon.
