If you're finding yourself in the middle of a weird, slow season, you're not alone. The world is a scary, uncertain place right now and many of us are feeling the weight of it. What do you do when you encounter seasons that are unfamiliar, unpredictable and downright terrifying? Let's talk about it.
In my Instagram reel this week, I talked about how it can sometimes feel like you're not making progress. With the funny way that life ebbs and flows, we can feel like we're on top of the world one minute and plunging to deep lows the next. It's the nature of the beast. That means that sometimes, there is NOTHING you've done wrong to cause these ups and downs. There are simply seasons that bring us lessons, seasons that prepare us, seasons of excelling and seasons where we experience failures. All of them are working for us to shape our being, our story and how we view life.
So how do we handle the hard seasons? As someone who has navigated some pretty rough seasons, here are a few things that I've learned...
REMIND YOURSELF THAT TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST
When you're feeling low, confused or uncertain, those feelings can seem unending. It literally feels like you'll never come out on the other side of what you're feeling. In those moments, it's important to remember that every hard thing you've faced had an end. Even if you don't know how long you'll navigate the tough moment you're in, knowing that it's temporary fuels hope.
REMEMBER THAT YOU'RE MAKING PROGRESS...EVEN NOW
Sometimes life slows down - your hours are cut at work, your budget for a project falls through, your plans are derailed... When this happens, it's easy to feel like you're stuck. The irony in these moments is that they hold the most valuable lessons. Challenges develop resilience and character, these are muscles we can only build when we face pressure. Yes, these moments feel excruciating, but the person you become in these moments is priceless. A stronger, more keen, more experienced you is in the making, and that's progress. It's also important to note that progress isn't always something you can feel, it's often intangible. Things are happening for you even when you can't see them.
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
In the tough moments, what you need most is grace. Give yourself permission to feel, to rest, to process and to not have it all figured out. We often put pressure on ourselves to meet unrealistic expectations. You're human. You've never lived this life before, you're figuring it out as you go and there will undoubtedly be moments when you're at a loss and don't know what to do next. That's ok, love! You're allowed to have moments of confusion, moments of doubt and moments of sadness. The key is to give yourself the time to process, then emerge and remind yourself that you'll get through this. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
NURTURE YOUR SOUL IN THESE MOMENTS
When you're feeling low, it's important to take really good care of yourself. You may not feel like showering, you may feel the urge to isolate and you may need to just take a day. Pay attention to those feelings, process them and nurture your soul. Here are a few things you can do to take care of yourself right now:
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Journal - jot down your thoughts and feelings. What are you feeling and why? Are you scared? Depressed? Hopeless? Like you're failing? Express those feelings on paper, then jot down truths that will help you to shift your perspective.
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Rest - it's normal to feel exhausted in challenging moments. Take a nap, take a day or two off, clear your schedule and focus in on your needs.
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Do something you love - light a candle, go for a nature walk, listen to your favorite album or do brunch with friends.
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Tap into your spiritual anchor - lean into your higher power, pray and meditate. For me, that's always God, and prayer reminds me that I'm not alone.
I've personally felt lost, confused, stuck and down at least a few times in my life. Those seasons always passed, and I learned so much about life and myself. The past few years have been a whirlwind, but we will get through this.
You're not alone.
Peace and Love,
Cyn
