We all have those days where we feel like nothing in our lives is right. Maybe it was just a bad day. Maybe your mom got mad at you for something and that put you in a sour mood. Maybe something happened at work. Or maybe you lost someone who was close to you and you feel empty. We all go through these struggles at some point. The most important thing to remember though, is we are not alone.
We are not alone in our daily struggles, or the things we deal with on a larger scale. We aren't the only ones heartbroken, sad, upset, or scared about what will happen tomorrow. What our future holds for us. Everyone is dealing with their own kind of struggle. Sometimes the things we struggle with may seem like the most painful and difficult trials, but sometimes it's good to remember someone always has it worse. If you had a bad day at work, remember someone else has lost a job. If your mom got upset at you, remember someone somewhere doesn't have a mom. If you're heartbroken over someone who left you or hurt you, remember that there is someone out there in an abusive relationship with someone who claims to love them.
Our pain and struggles are temporary. One morning you will wake up and you won't have that pain, that sadness, that fear. And you will realize all that worrying about the future didn't do anything for you. It didn't help you overcome those feelings, it just made you feel worse. Worrying never benefits you, it only cripples you from focusing on the positives.
Now what can you do when you start to worry?
1. Take a deep breath
Think about another struggle you've had in the past. Did you get through it? How about the last ten struggles. Did you get through them? Yes, yes you did because you are still here. Sometimes it helps to take a step back from our busy lives and realize all of the struggles we have gotten through and grown from. Whatever you are going through at the moment will help you grow in more ways than you realize.
2. If you're religious, pray about it
3. Journal it
If you enjoy writing, like myself, sometimes it helps to write things down. If you have a journal or notes on your phone, make a little entry whenever you feel like things are just not going your way. I personally have notes on my phone that I add to when I feel down or when I'm worrying about something. Getting it typed out or written on paper helps, although it's kind of hard to explain why. It's almost like it helps relieve the burden because you see in front of you exactly how you're feeling and what you're going through. And sometimes it helps you realize that it might not be as bad as it feels.
Journaling about how you're feeling is one way to do this, or you could also look at what you're going through more in detail. Write down the way it makes you feel and the negative aspects. But then think about how what you're going through could help you grow and become a better, stronger person. Going through a breakup sucks, but it helps you realize what you want in your future person. Losing a job is stressful, but maybe it was time that you move on and try something else. Fighting with your mom hurts, but it helps you realize that communication is something to improve on.
4. Talk to a friend
Phone calling is becoming rare in our generation, and the older generations as well, because texting has become the new thing. Try using that phone app that you rarely use where you dial someone's number and click call. See how more personal and meaningful a call can be, especially when going through a tough time.
Talking to a friend is a miraculous cure. Just letting out all of your feelings and emotions can make you feel so free. Your friends love being there for you and supporting you, so why not let them? Include them in the areas you're struggling with, and they can help you get through it. If you don't tell them, they can't help you. Friends are there not only for the good times, but to pick you up and encourage you during the tough times.
5. Do something to get your mind off of it
Distracting yourself from worrying is one of the best things you can do. Worrying doesn't help anything so doing something you enjoy can really help. Grab a book, write/draw, watch your favorite show or movie on netflix, go to the gym, go on a bike ride. Do something so you don't sit around worrying about something you may or may not be able to do anything about.
These things are not the only things that help, but they are a few that help me. I know that the struggles and trials we go through don't just disappear once we do these few things, but for the time being, they definitely help. We have to take our struggles one day at a time, just like life. Worrying never helped anyone, but doing something you love always helps. Even if it's something small, more than likely it will get a smile on your face and keep you from thinking about the negative things in your life.
And remember, every cloud has a silver lining:)
