What To Know When You've Hit Rock Bottom
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What To Know When You've Hit Rock Bottom

Here's what happens next.

750
What To Know When You've Hit Rock Bottom
pixabay.com

Panic. Defeat. Devastation. Exhaustion.

Shame. Anger. Anxiety.

Disappointment. Disbelief.

Numbness.

Rock bottom...anyone who has ever had to call that place home is already too familiar with the emotions listed above. Hitting rock bottom, as many people seem to mistake, is not the worst part. You already know it's coming because you've fought so hard to prevent it. The worst part is the roller coaster of emotions you face on the way down.

Rock bottom is a torturous place, but the journey there is what breaks you. And though it might break you, it doesn't destroy you.

Rock bottom is a place, not the rest of your life. You still wake up, you still breath, move, live. You're still you.

Here's the thing about hitting the lowest point of your life- you learn to let things go. You learn to accept, instead of resisting. You figure out really fast that the world still turns and it's okay to sit in silence and take a moment. But eventually, you have to get back up and move too.

The bottom gives you the chance to release everything you've been carrying that's too heavy. It allows you the opportunity to say to the universe "You wanted to ruin these things for me so bad?

Well, here you go, they're all yours," and walk away knowing it's over. It's the closure you need to let go of what you've been fighting against.

I remember my rock bottom and all the hideous emotions it made me feel. But I also remember the fire I felt inside me when I decided that no matter how shitty my circumstances were ( and let me tell you, they were pretty shitty) I didn't care anymore. I was going to accept my circumstances and let go of the things I'd had such a death grip on for so long.

I was going to get myself back together and it didn't matter how long it took or how hard it would be. I began to tackle my obstacles one at a time and I prioritized the things I needed for myself. It was then, I learned to adjust to life. And that is such an important quality.

And here I am. It's not perfect, and it wasn't easy. But I'm happy. And a year ago I would have never imagined I'd be where I am now.

One of the best parts of having hit the lowest possible point, for me, was that I learned a lot about perspective. Rock bottom teaches you not to focus so much on various details, but instead, on the larger picture of life. Hurt heals, disappointment fades, things DO get better and we become stronger. Before, I would let defeat take a toll on me; I held onto my struggles.

Today, I can have a rough time, grieve it out and know that as soon as I decide, it will get better. No matter what I face, I know that I've endured worse. Most situations can't touch the kind of hurt that would make me flinch. I'm able to put things in perspective because I can compare whatever I'm going through to the worst I've been through, and honestly, it's encouraging.

It teaches you to be resourceful and it teaches you that you CAN bounce back. I can come to the end of the day feeling discouraged, but I know when I put my head in my hands and let my emotions out, that eventually, it will be okay. I'll make it through whatever I'm struggling with because I believe in myself and how resilient I am.

I know how to adjust to my circumstances, to what life throws at me. It's uncomfortable, but it's not impossible. I believe in my determination and I believe myself when I say " Shit, I failed. But it's okay, I'll just have to start over and do things differently." I believe it because I've done it.

Rock bottom is terrifying. But it isn't the end. It's an experience, a painful one, but nonetheless, an experience. Ultimately, you stand up and you begin to rebuild. You realize that you CAN save yourself and that you're stronger than you thought. You come out of the worst feeling...free.

Because you know what you're leaving behind and you know that things will only get better from here on out. So take a breath. Breakdown. Do what you need to do, and then stand up and build yourself to be better than you were before.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

91556
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

67997
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments