“May all your dreams but one come true, for what is life without a dream?”
― David Gemmell
In the interesting times we live in, it can be easy to find ourselves in a position where seeking beyond what we have sounds like a fool’s errand. When making ends meet is the greatest goal we can aspire to and being just good enough sounds like climbing a mountain, caring for yourself on top of what you need to do to make it through the week can feel like you are trying to squeeze a twenty-fifth hour out of the day. Yet sometimes, that little bit of impossibility is not quite so far out of our reach as we think.
Sometimes, it is the smallest things that can help us the most. Taking a moment to breathe when it feels like the world is trying to drown you in responsibilities and struggles can make all the difference in the world. There are always ways to make a situation better, especially when it feels like things cannot get any worse!
Take a Moment for Yourself
If you find yourself regularly overwhelmed, or feel like you are the lowest priority in your life and that caring for yourself feels like selfishness when you could be doing something else, that is when it is most important for you to remind yourself that this life is yours! The problems that you face may seem insurmountable, but looking back at them, they will look a great deal smaller behind you. Taking the time to do something that makes you feel safe, secure, and in control of your life can make a huge difference in your day-to-day experience! Whether it is something simple like taking a five-minute walk without your phone, enjoying a favorite song after doing a task, or something more involved like getting a group of friends together to go out for an evening, it is worth spending time on yourself!
Remember That You Are Human Too
Nobody is perfect. It is a platitude that we hear often and rarely apply to ourselves when we need it most. Setting simple, measurable, realistic, achievable, and timely goals is the best way to make personal progress, but even with SMART goals, sometimes we will fall short. This is alright! Everyone has off days, and you deserve to not be down on yourself just because you were not perfect at completing your goal. Remember that we are often our harshest critics and if you would not accept the criticism you are giving yourself from someone you do not know, then why are you letting that part of yourself say it to you? You can always try again!
Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
It is easy to look at people who are making enormous strides, people who go from rags to riches, climb the corporate ladder, and raise a family with ease, and think that you must be doing something wrong because you are not them. Remember that the only person that you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were before! Every day that you can wake up and say that you are better than you were is a victory. Every accomplishment you make is still valid, still valuable, even when others are doing the same. Each of us face our own challenges in life, and it is always worth taking in the silver linings even when it feels like the sky is full of clouds.
You Are Not Alone
There is nothing wrong with admitting that our lives are not perfect! Asking someone for help when things are tough does not make you weak, but getting that help can make the darkest times just a little brighter. Talk to your friends, your loved ones, or even a professional when you feel like you need that extra push to make it through and it can make all the difference in the world!
If you are dealing with feelings of depression, anxiety, or trauma, feel free to reach out to us here at Untethered Therapy or call 988 if you are having a mental health crisis.
– Thomas Zerbe, Master’s Level Counseling Intern