When you look down, there’s darkness and oblivion. It’s chilly and lonely and often lacks hope. It’s a place they call rock-bottom.
Scary sounding, yes, but I decided rock-bottom is good. Rock-bottom is living life.
You’re as low as you can go
Don’t dwell on how you got there, you're there. It's time to admit the faults and begin the healing process. I rode the struggle-bus and missed my opportunity to get off more times than I care to admit.
What started as a disaster tumbled into chaos, from spilling black coffee all over my white outfit to a flat tire & an D in Economics to the financial woes that weren’t going away no matter how cheap the wine got, I decided life was going downhill. For months and months, I tumbled attempting to pick myself up and falling until I ended in the darkness with depression and hopelessness. Once I decided this was as low as I could go, I decided to look elsewhere. What nobody mentioned about the lowest point was the view. It’s no Bikini Bottom but the only place to look is up.
Your decisions will be fresh
How you got there is as relevant as how you proceed. The further we are the greater the space there is for change.
I look back and think “shoulda, coulda, woulda”, thoughts like that are overrated though because focusing on the past isn’t going to get you anywhere. If anything, you’re going to trip on the past and tumble again. So instead, use the answers from how you got there to figure out how you get out. What I came to terms with is that living is constant learning and learning comes from mistakes. So you’re at rock-bottom, look at all you’ve endured, that’s your strength, your wisdom and your future. The decisions you’re going to make are enhanced with lessons learned, tougher skin and a new perspective that will contribute to the next chapter of your life.
Your only direction is up
The trip down is always easier than the trip up but since life is constant learning, I’m in no rush. As I look up, I’m going to learn more about myself and what I’m capable of. Along the way I may exchange old support for new support in my relationships. Regardless, it’s one step at a time and one decision at a time. I’ve gotten comfortable but not settled in, again this is rock-bottom, not Bikini Bottom.
I’m at ease enough to enjoy the little things and take life minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. No matter where you’re at know that the next step only goes 1 way, up.
Rock-bottom is a beautiful start.
