Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
***This post is a collaboration and may contain affiliate links. Life is never simply a walk in the park. Obstacles and challenges make us duck, dodge, and dance our way through. And, sometimes, despite our effort to avoid adversity, disaster strikes. When it happens, it can create a lack of self-confidence, among other personal problems. Trust me, I understand getting kicked in the teeth and thrown to the ground of life. At times, the only thing you have to hold onto is a thin thread. That said, even a small connection to life and your inner strength can get you through. Remember, being down is never the end as long as you get back up after adversity strikes.
Get Back Up After Adversity #1: PROCESS AND PROGRESS
In order to process anything, you have to assess the damage and know what you’re dealing with. You also have to know where you are and where you want to be. Remember, this is about you first. Your feelings, needs, and wants are the major pieces to this puzzle. You can’t leave anything out if you want to progress beyond this point.
If you’re having trouble moving forward, it may be that you haven’t worked through your feelings about the event. Many women hold the false belief that you shouldn’t think about trauma– a denial of sort that only prevents true healing. For one thing, unresolved trauma never goes away. It will only fester in your mind, body, and spirit until you decide to deal with it.
It’s important you give yourself time to heal before you put unnecessary stress in the mix. This doesn’t mean reliving the trauma over and over. Instead of focusing on the external factors, think about yourself. How did the situation make YOU feel? The emotions that arise at times of distress are telling, and sometimes hard to process. However, they also hold keys to your truth and success. It may help to talk things out with a friend or family member. Therapy can also be valuable in tough situations. If looking for a therapist freaks you out, sites like www.networktherapy.com can help you search for quality providers.
Get Back Up After Adversity #2: LOOK TO THE FUTURE
If you have nothing to look forward to, getting back up will be harder. Help yourself by making plans for your future. Even if it’s something small like watching the new season of your favorite TV show. Do anything that makes you feel happy and gets you out of the rut. Making plans is a core function of being human. It’s how we’ve continued to grow and adapt to change over thousands of years.
Once you’ve successfully taken small steps, it’s time to get serious. Making larger, more long-term plans will give you the motivation to continue toward your goal. There’s nothing wrong with setting goals that you can’t achieve at this moment. The desire to achieve them in the future will keep you strong. Booking a holiday could also be a fantastic motivator and give you the strength to get through tougher times. Though, be careful not to push yourself before you’re ready. You’ve taken the time to process the past; now it’s time to move into a better future!
Get Back Up After Adversity #3: PROPER SELF-CARE
No one looks or feels their best when going through adversity. That’s especially true if you’re dealing physical illness or an injury. Even a breakup or loss of a loved one can leave you feeling unattractive. That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself even when you don’t feel like it. This is one of those things you will want to be gentle with. Don’t feel like you have to go get a new hair color or full makeover at the salon. Just do what you can that makes you feel pretty and comforted.
When I’m dealing with a stressful situation, exercise helps so much. I don’t know what I’d do without my treadmill. It might be a good time to get more active but make sure to check with your doctor first. Do activities that work for you and your specific situation. If you need ideas for home fitness equipment, check out sites like homegymheaven.com.
Get Back Up After Adversity #4: Get Out of the Comfort Zone
There is really nothing comfortable about trauma and adversity, so we naturally want to be comforted. But, comfort zones are dangerous. They are nothing more than a prison that fools us into believing we are free. When we’ve experienced trauma, we’re are especially at risk for this type of incarceration. This happens when we lose faith, hope, and confidence in ourselves and life itself.
Again, baby steps are in order. Push yourself but don’t stress over it. Choose just one thing that makes you a little uncomfortable and do it. Tomorrow, do another. Make this a life habit, and you will always get back up no matter has happened. In fact, make all four of these things a part of your life even when you aren’t in the middle of a storm.
