Accept.

Try to look at everything that is happening in your life through the eyes of acceptance. Right now, things are heavy. And I know you don't want them to be. Trust me, I know. But being in denial of what is happening in your life and the fact that you are in pain won't help you, even though it may feel like an escape mechanism at the moment. Accepting the fact that things in life aren't going your way and that it hurts is the first step to seeking support for what you are going through.

Reach out.

There are people in this world who care. I promise. You don't have to go through this alone. It can be easy to pretend like everything is OK with the people that you love, but it is OK to be vulnerable. I know it's hard. But you don't have to put on a brave face all the time, especially with people who love you and want to be there for you. Don't be afraid to reach out.

Meditate.

I have discovered meditation as a way to find peace when my heart is racing and needs a way to calm down. Meditation stills my racing thoughts and helps alleviate some of the pain I feel inside. It allows me to connect with myself, even at times when I feel resistant to connect with my inner self and everything I am feeling. I've been listening to some of Deepak Chopra's meditations, and they've been helping me make peace with what is happening in my life.

Breathe.

Your breath holds more power than you think it does. I've noticed that when things get heavy, I forget to breathe. My breath becomes short and shallow, and that eventually affects the rest of my body to the point where everything just feels off. But, when I remember to take deep breaths, I become more centered and better able to handle the situations in front of me. One breathing exercise I do is taking a deep inhale in for 4 seconds, holding it for 4 seconds, exhaling for 4 seconds, and holding again for 4 seconds. This is such a powerful way for me to feel more at peace.

Let music help you.

I have found music as one of the most powerful medicines for the pain I'm going through. It helps me shift my emotional state in ways that are hard to quantify. Certain songs help me shift into a more calm, peaceful state. Lately, I've been listening to instrumental and meditation music. I've been listening to Shallou's music and also meditative music from the "Calm" app. Both these have helped me immensely, and I recommend them to you too.

Journal.

When things feel unbearable, I write out how I'm feeling in a journal. For some reason, this helps me feel better. It unloads the weight I'm carrying on my shoulders. Putting my deepest thoughts down on paper helps them feel seen and validated. And a lot of the time, it even helps me let some of the pain go.

Laugh.

During times like this, I feel like I take life too seriously. Even though I am going through tough life experiences that are serious, I am learning not to let them suck away all the light from life. I have found that finding ways to integrate some fun and laughter back into life helps make it less heavy and more enjoyable. Life is more than heaviness. Laughter helps me remember that.

Give yourself love.

Take care of yourself. You're going through a hard time right now. Don't be so hard on yourself. The kinder you treat yourself, the easier it'll be to face the difficult things. Lately, ways I've been taking care of myself is remembering to eat, getting enough sleep, and getting exercise. These things are basic, but when life gets heavy, it can become easy to neglect basic life necessities. Don't forget to sustain yourself. Also, don't forget to admire your strength. You're going through so much, yet are still finding the strength to endure and take care of yourself. Be proud of how far you've come. Don't forget to go easy on your hurting self. You deserve your own love, especially at times like now.

Hold on to hope.

Yes, I know things are hurting right now and it may be hard to see the light. But, I am begging you to also hold on to hope — hope that things will get better. In life, things are always changing. Don't lose hope. When life falls apart, it will eventually fall back into place.