More often than not, people do not feel comfortable sharing their problems with other people. The fear of being ridiculed or invalidated leaves us struggling against the urge to voice our dilemmas to the people in our lives, and this constant fight against ourselves only adds to the worries that we are already wrestling with. The possibility that the people we choose to confide in won’t understand the cause of our vulnerability or will undermine our struggle prevents us from sharing our feelings with others but sometimes, another voice is the only thing that can fade out the voice in your own head that keeps screaming worst case scenarios at you. Take a deep breath and say how you feel out loud, whether it is to someone you trust or to your own reflection in the mirror; voicing your problems verbally allows you to assess them practically without the emotional anxiety that causes you to amplify the extent of your dilemmas. Whether you are struggling with memories of your past, circumstances of your present, or fear for your future, your feelings are valid solely because you are feeling them. Do not look for validation from others, but rather seek your own perspective without the emotional bias that clouds your judgment. A practical mindset is often more helpful than an emotionally biased one.
Escaping memories of your past is easier said than done; the experiences of your past may not be the most pleasant, and some may be the roots of your present-day problems or insecurities. It is important to remember that sometimes the only way to get out of the past is to go through it. Whether you experienced abandonment and disappointment by the people closest to you, had a traumatic experience that stamped itself on your brain and heart, or just feel like you have been paralyzed by time, reliving the moments of your past sometimes gives you the closure you need to move on with your life. Taking a trip down memory lane does not make you weak or illusioned, as long as you remind yourself that the past is the past. Time does not stop for any of us; once you have come to terms with your past, it is easier to accept the present.
The same rule applies to problems being faced in the present; the only way out is through. If you are facing tough circumstances right now, it is important to remember that each experience you have is building your character and shaping the person you are. How you decide to deal with the hurdles placed in your path will define you, so it is best to think through every decision instead of acting impulsively. Not every bad situation will last forever, and no matter how dark the tunnel seems now, there is always a light at the end of it. Life is a series of both good and bad times, and if you are going through a bad time right now, know that good times are soon to follow. Put on your warrior face and confront your problems head on; get help and support whenever it is needed, and never suppress your feelings. The longer you suppress your emotions, the greater the explosion. Let yourself be disappointed or angry or however you feel, but do not let the emotions build to a point where controlling them is out of your control.
The only way to deal with the anxiety you feel regarding the future is to go through the future; you will not know what you are dealing with until you are experiencing it in the moment. The future is not something to be afraid of! Being anxious about things that are out of your control is simply a waste of energy; when the moment comes that you are nervous about, you will know exactly what to do. Look towards the future with a sense of wonder and excitement, not apprehension and worry. The moment you are thinking about will only come around once, so enjoy it while you can. Focus on all the positive aspects of the awaited situation and prepare for the negative aspects so that you are not overwhelmed when the time comes. Do not form scenarios in your head of all the things that could go wrong. The only time you will know what to expect will be when the event is happening.
Memories from your past, circumstances of your present, and fear of your future are not enough to slow you down; you are strong enough to deal with anything that life throws your way. Your strength is what has brought you this far, and it is your strength that will enable you to survive the hardships that are yet to come. Put on a smile and focus on the best parts of your life. If you are going through hell, keep going because sometimes the only way out is through.
