Facing Difficult Times
Here are five things I’ve found to be extremely beneficial and helpful when going through a difficult time.
Read — Books can be a huge source of comfort, inspiration, and insight, especially when you’re facing a challenging phase of life. If you feel like you don’t have time to actually sit down and read, then maybe try listening to a book while you do Number 2. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to finish the book (or if you even finish it), it only matters that you’re getting something out of it. A few of the books that have really helped me are The Four Agreements, Inward, The Untethered Soul, and All About Love.**
Move Your Body — Whatever this means to you: Lifting weights, going on a walk, doing yoga, running a marathon, swinging a golf club. Being physically stationary can make you feel mentally stationary.
Meditate — Find a quiet, safe place where you can focus on your breathing uninterrupted (the floor of my closet is a personal favorite). Even just five minutes of breath work can make a huge difference on your nervous system. It can also help strengthen your ability to calm your mind when you feel like the difficult time you’re going through may take over.
Talk To A Professional — We are fortunate to live in an age where therapy is no longer shamed or secretive but rather honored and respected. A lot of therapy is now covered by health insurance, and some therapists even offer sliding scale options, discounted rates, or shorter sessions. Plus, many still offer virtual sessions. Seeking an objective, third-party professional that can help give you insights and tools to better understand yourself and your history is invaluable.
Surround Yourself With Trust — This can be close friends, family, a mentor, or a coach. The important thing is that it be someone who deserves your trust, someone whose care and concern for you are felt and obvious. Someone who can give you space to feel what you’re feeling but also bring you moments of joy. Allow yourself to feel joy because even if you don’t believe it, there will be joyful moments again.
**I have many more book recommendations—if you’re interested, feel free to respond directly to this email and I’ll send you the complete list.