This isn’t my typical blog post.
The focus of my blog is content creation, specifically strategy, planning, and professional insights, along with a dash of media literacy. If I’m being honest, life has been tough lately. I won’t get into the details, but the last few months have been a whirlwind of change — the kind that just makes you want to throw in the proverbial towel.
The problem is that what happens in your personal life often bleeds into every corner of your world. Needless to say, it’s been really hard to find my professional north star when the ground beneath my feet feels like it’s shifting. My focus has been fractured, my energy has been low, and there have been days when just opening my laptop felt like running a 5K.
But here’s the thing: I’m not an anomaly. I know I’m not alone in this.
All of us are passengers on this chaotic, beautiful, and sometimes devastating ride called life. Every once in a while, the “ups” seem like a distant memory, while the “downs” feel like a permanent state of being. Having experienced this recently, I decided to reveal the strategies I’ve been using to deal with life’s curveballs. I hope these tips can help you stay afloat, not just as a professional trying to be productive, but as a human striving for peace.
1. Focus on What You Can Control
We tend to grab the steering wheel of things that aren’t even in our cars. Every day, we’re occupied with thinking about “what ifs” and “whys.” Despite our best efforts, though, there are countless variables out of our control.
You can’t control losing a major client, a sudden medical diagnosis, a flat tire on the way to a big meeting, or the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. Whenever these things happen, we instinctively fight against reality.
Your reaction, however, is the only thing you can truly control. This is something I have to remind myself every day.
When a situation feels like it’s spiraling, I stop and ask: “Is there an action I can take right now? When the answer is no, I must practice letting go. It’s impossible to control the storm, but you can control how you trim your sails. And the only way to regain your balance is to focus on your own behavior, your own kindness, and your next small step.
2. Turn to Your Village
A common myth in our culture, especially in the professional world, is that we must be self-sufficient islands. Showing struggle is viewed as a sign of weakness.
I’m here to tell you that’s total nonsense.
Whether it’s your sibling, best friend, or trusted colleague, don’t be afraid to reach out to them. We aren’t meant to carry the heavy stuff alone. And, remember, your “village” is there for a reason.
Occasionally, all you need is an ear to listen to you venting over a coffee or beer. Sometimes, those people can provide the objective perspective you’ve lost because you’re too deep in the woods. They might even have a solution to a problem you missed because you were caught up in stress.
Vulnerability isn’t a liability; it’s the bridge to the support you need to heal.
3. Enjoy the Small Things (Seriously)
A lot of self-help gurus promote “Gratitude” with a capital G. They tell you to keep journals and jot down at least ten things you are thankful for every morning or evening. That’s all well and good, and I’m not knocking it. But when you’re in the thick of it, “Gratitude” can feel like another chore on an already exhausting to-do list.
Occasionally, a grand list isn’t necessary. It’s just a matter of scaling back and looking for the tiny, almost insignificant flashes of light.
For example, the other morning, I was walking with my dog. I didn’t have my coffee yet, my mind was racing with a dozen worries, and I was just mentally prepping for the day. Then, I looked up. There was a sunrise so spectacular, so vivid and awe-inspiring, that it forced me to stop. During those sixty seconds, there were no problems in the world; just beauty.
It didn’t solve my life’s problems, but it provided a “micro-moment” of joy that fueled my day. Don’t wait for the big win; get inspired by the perfect cup of tea or the way the light falls.
4. Find Your Moment of Zen
“Zen” sounds like something you find on a mountaintop after years of meditation. Zen, however, is really whatever allows your brain to stop vibrating with anxiety for a while.
This looks different for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be “productive” or “sophisticated.” In tough times, I lean into the things that bring me joy.
- It’s a perfectly brewed, hot cup of coffee in a quiet house.
- It’s putting on a “dumb” movie that I’ve seen a hundred times, something like Hot Rod, where I can just laugh at the absurdity and not think.
- It’s cranking up Pearl Jam and letting Eddie Vedder do the heavy lifting for my soul.
- It’s being the “cool uncle” and hanging out with my nieces and nephews, where the only thing that matters is a game of tag or a silly story.
What’s your version of that? No matter what it is, don’t feel guilty about it. It’s your medicine.
5. Remember, All Things Will Pass
I get it. I really do. There are times when life can become so overwhelming that only curling up in bed and throwing in the towel seems logical. The weight feels permanent. The “winter” of your life feels like it’s never going to end.
One thing is clear from history and your own experience: It will pass. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the pain or try to “feel good” through it. The pain is real. The struggle is valid. It’s important to respect that. But it’s also important to remember that seasons change.
As Eddie Vedder says, “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead.”
Nature dictates it. The sun rises, the tide goes out, and eventually, the sharp edges of your current situation will begin to wear down. So far, you have survived all of your hardest days. You have a perfect track record. So, keep on trucking.
A Final Thought
Look, life sucks sometimes. There’s no point in sugarcoating it. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes it’ll knock you off your feet. However, you’re more resilient than you think. With the help of the people around you, with your “zen,” and with the strength to take the next step, you can accomplish anything.
Pull through. Hang in there, my friends. Springtime is coming.