No one has the perfect life. Despite what social media shows us of our friends or E! News tells us about celebrities, no one has it. We're all human and we all go through horrible times in our lives. We all have our own battles to fight, and while we suffocate under these heavy burdens and feel as though our lives are crashing down, we need to remember these few things to help aid us in simply breathing despite how bad things can get.
Don't Bottle It All Up
Emotions can only stay in for so long. It's important to find someone to talk to and to confide in. No matter how big or little your problem is, it's important to address it. For me, the best way to address a problem and avoid denial is to hear myself saying it out loud. Friends and family are important, because they love you regardless and will always be there for you with open arms. The more you talk about your problems, the easier it becomes to face them. By not bottling everything up, you can gain control of your emotions and actually find the ability to tackle your problem head on, without the tears or anger or fear getting in the way.
Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself
It's okay to cry and be upset, but when it's been two weeks and you haven't showered and the tears won't stop, you need to remember that life could be SO much worse. It's easy to think that your life is horrible when things aren't going the way you planned and that it could never get much worse, but you need to remember all of the things you have been blessed with. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, amazing friends, an awesome job, a killer education, and more. When I think that I have problems to deal with, I try to think about those who don't have the things or the support system that I have. I think back to the times when I went to Mexico and Africa, and the kids who I met without families or clothes or clean water, and I laugh at how selfish I was to think that my problems were problems at all. My problems aren't nearly as bad, because at least I have the means to fix them and improve because of them.
This leads to my next point…
The Problem Is Only Temporary
Nothing last forever. It's important to remember that although your life is "ending" at this very moment, five/ten years down the line, you're going to be okay. Sure, some problems can have life-altering consequences, but it's important to remember that your life will go on. It may take a different route, one you had never planned for, but the problem won't be there forever. You will continue on this route of your life and you will tackle each hurdle one step at a time.
Something Good Will Come Out Of It
I know for me that I have dealt with problems where I only looked at the negatives. Optimism is the greatest healing tool that we as humans have. Instead of looking at all the bad that is going on in our lives, we need to look at the good. Your trials help you to put life into perspective and force you to change for the better. They show you the kind of friends you have, and let me tell you, I learned through my own trials that I have the most amazing friends who will skip yoga and go out to buy me a $40 Cold Stone ice cream cake just because I was having a rough week. My trials have taught me more about myself and my own strength than I could have ever imagined.
We go through our trials, and it may annoy us when our friend says, "I know you don't want to hear this right now, but something good will come out of this," but that is something that we need to remember. When dealing with your own trials, take time to think about all the great things and opportunities that have come with it. As the emotions come in waves, it's these things that will help you to remember to put on a smile and to stand tall.
It's hard to stay positive throughout the trials we face in life, but if you could just remember these few little things, you will be able to get through just about anything. Don't forget to walk with confidence and continue to smile through it, because although you may be suffocating under it all now, you'll resurface one day and you'll be a better person for it.
