Happy Wednesday. Today is National Renewal Day. A day to remember to do the things that you need to help you be at your best self. For today’s Wednesday check in I want to talk to you about the increase of despair that I am seeing in social media. For the record I do not mean anything that has anything to do with the Megan or Nick beef. People are really losing it. The way people’s lives are set up they are not being able to live the lives that they want. So, let’s talk about setbacks and more.
Rock Bottom
The reason that I want to talk about rock bottom is because when the feeling of despair comes in it comes from feeling like you have hit rock bottom. Rock bottom feels overwhelming in the sense of not knowing what the next step is. If you have lost what you believe to be everything, how do you renew your thoughts to see the light even before the light becomes brighter again? First take a deep breath and don’t do anything. Rushing to make something happened without taking a step back can lead to more regret down the line. So, wait, think, and sit on any decisions.
Know that everyone has had their rock bottom moment. Mine has come several times in life. Many times, it had a lot to do with a build up of bad choices. As much as we think with our emotions, I want us to have emotions but go to solutions using logic. Write out your options. For some it will help to write out how you believe or feel that you don’t have any options. There is usually an option available, but it may not be the option that you want. Don’t give up!
Asking for Help
This is a fine line because those who you may want to help may also add onto your burden. When you are already done hearing I told you so may not work. In the same breath hearing I told you so may be the least of your worries. In dire situations where for an example hearing I told you but needing to provide safe space for children it may be in your best bet to hear it and move through it. If pride is a problem, let me encourage you that we all have had to lay our pride to the side. It hurts. Don’t let that moment of needing help or setting your pride to the side make you feel as if you are the only one in the world going through any one thing. Don’t give up!
Here’s What to Remind Yourself in Hard Times
- Rely on your inner strength when your physical strength is low
- The lessons you learn will mean so much later
- Remind yourself that you matter
- You are worthy of the life that is ahead of you
You Are Going to be Okay-Don’t Give up
Even if the worst-case scenario happens amid what you are feeling, you will be okay. I had to remind myself that many times. I was living with my mother-in-law with a toddler, a baby on the way, just got laid off and I felt like I had failed my kids. That feeling wasn’t real. I was doing what was necessary for my kids by being in a stable home. Although I would have to learn how to advocate for myself several times it still wasn’t the worst situation.
As a kid I grew up in a homeless shelter. My mother could have felt like she had failed us. Even in the situation I didn’t have to be in a shelter with my kids. I learned how to move from watching my mom get us out of that situation with grace. My feelings had to be told the truth of where I was. So, I kept going. The feelings didn’t magically fall off right away. So daily I had to commit to renewing my thoughts, getting out of the house when I needed, and showing up for my kids and family.
Chesapeake Bay Story
The other day while scrolling on social media I saw where a car had driven off into the Chesapeake Bay. At the time of seeing the video it looked apparent that it was done on purpose. No one at the time that I had viewed the story knew how many people was in the car and they hadn’t gotten the car recovered. I sat thinking that whoever was in there had to think that no matter what was going on in their life they had no choice but to end theirs. You don’t have to think that. On your worse day you are loved and valued. The world has need of you and what you can do in this life. Don’t give up!
