Happy Monday! I know many who are off this Indigenous People’s celebration. There are those who are working. Regardless of how you are starting off your week, we are here to motivate. Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. Let’s continue the conversation with peaks and valleys.
Peaks of Life
We are all familiar with peaks in life. The moments when life aligns the way we envisioned. It’s also the time when all of our hard work seems to pay off. That job, new soulmate, house, or whatever we have been desiring seems to work out. We find the joy in the material things that we had on our list. During the peaks you don’t always find yourself questioning the good. You’re happy for the ride that life has provided until the valley of life is ignited.
Valley of Life
The valleys represent the times of our lives when things aren’t working out in any form the way we envisioned. We don’t have the happiness of our dreams working out to keep us sustained. The questions of our existence is heavy. The realm of contentment is hard to grasp. The valleys are the times when we stray from our path the most. It’s lonely in the valleys. You don’t feel as free to create or dream.
Mental Health and Valleys
It’s the lowest moments of life that reveal who we are. It’s easy to be nice to others when life is at an all time high. Also when life is great you can also find how much nicer to yourself you are too! When the cards of life are dealt that aren’t favorable our mental health may also be triggered. How do you sustain your mental health when it feels like you’re being hit back to back? Having a plan is key. People don’t understand how having a plan for low points is helpful.
Recovery Plan
The time for recovery is in the plan. Not all mental health episodes can be healed with a plan. For the times it can, tap in. What are the activities that you can rely on the most to help you through difficult times? Who is in your plan to call that is helpful? For instance do you run or do other physical activities as a stress relief? Take a walk? Have a fidget toy? FYI adults can have fidget toys too. Use your phone for self care?
Valleys don’t Last Forever
Down times always feel never ending. They seem to over consuming. In reality they are called seasonal. Seasons can last a few hours, days, weeks, or years. They are hard. In times of valleys in our life we feel lost. We lose a lot. Some people lose their way, friends, loved ones, jobs, etc. It’s okay to hurt. Pain is inevitable in the valley. Your responses to them should be human. It’s okay to acknowledge how much you don’t like it.
No Magic in the Valley
I would love to give you a magic trick or something that just seems to pull you from the valley! There isn’t anything magical happening to end the valley of life. They are like waves that happen to the best of us. Finding ways that you feel assist in helping your mental space is key. Some people dig deeper in their self care. Others may find therapy helps. I know some who rely on their support system. Even if those things don’t seem to work-don’t quit. I know quitting isn’t an option.
Quitting isn’t an Option
When the “old folks” would say that if you live a little life happens to all-it’s true. Quitting isn’t an option. Those who quit never get to see the peak that happens when you are down. Quitting is easy. Winning is work. Putting that work in, covering yourself or having those who can cover you in hard times is necessary. Sticking through the valley feels so much more rewarding after the valley clears. Feeling lost is such a hollow feeling. As much as it hurts I want you to not quit. Even when direction is no where to be found-don’t quit!
As you start this Monday you may have woken up and not felt your best. The stress you feel is overwhelming. Your mental health may feel bleak. Please hold on. Don’t quit. Find a strategy of mental health initiatives that work for you. Seek help and support. Support yourself to be your best self as the valley widens. One thing I know is that valleys don’t last forever. Discovering what works for you during that time is valuable in helping to carve out your needs. There is no magic in the valley. The magic is inside of you and finding a workable solution. You got this!
