We are living with difficult life transitions, heavy adjustments, and loss. As can be expected though not always welcomed, change keeps coming our way. As parents, we may be seeking clarity on what to expect as the new school year approaches or begins, and how to prepare our children, ourselves. As a professional, you may be questioning the shifts in the employment landscape and the future of your career, whether working in physical proximity to others or in an office at home. Maybe you’re a caregiver, newly widowed or divorced, an empty nester, or a recent retiree. Your life has flipped several times over, and you’ve never been into roller coasters. You’re anxious, distressed, grieving, tired of going in circles. These feelings are valid. They are also not a stopping point in navigating the ways we recover. While stress is often viewed as wholly negative, it can spur us to make necessary adjustments that result in positive change. It’s also important to consider that stress, when unmanaged, can escalate, creating continuing negative emotional states and symptoms. Developing and utilizing the resources to manage our lives amidst challenges that will occur is critical. Here are 3 keys that strengthen your wellness and reduce overwhelm.
Provide empathy to yourself.
In all circumstances make it a goal to find your center, a way to offset negative experiences with a healthy mindset and create balance. The concept of mindset is simply about the way we speak to ourselves and the beliefs that we hold onto. Moving through a range of emotions is to be expected, only consider where it is you find yourself most often. As hard as it is, allow yourself to acknowledge that the difficulties you are going through will hurt, and that doesn’t make you weak, just human. Some events that occur are simply outside of your control. Also allow room for the thought that your current feelings are not absolutes, and do not create the facts of your future. You CAN create the emotional space necessary to work through and learn from your feelings, experiences. These are important considerations, as it’s likely that at some point we’ve all tried to evade the pain of our reality. Though this is a common initial response to loss and grief, we benefit from being able to move through the stages and the pain which is unique for each of us. The use of positive affirmations, self talk statements, ie. “I’m going to get through this”, "I'm thankful for my faith as an anchor", or even a grounding exercise where you intentionally take a deep breath, rub your hands together and cup your face with both hands, feeling the warmth of your skin, and being present in that moment can support your self care.
Observe your functioning Loss and difficulties with adjustment can stem from experiences of death and dying, trauma, anxiety, parenting struggles, separation from family, romantic relationships, or career, natural disasters, even the view that you've lost sight of your own dreams, goals, and sense of self. During these periods, it can be a challenge to maintain personal awareness and the result can be to start operating reactively, in response to the events that have occurred. Unfortunately, dismissing our needs during times of heightened distress, can prolong the healing process. A proactive tool that can be very helpful when everything feels unsettled is writing. A few words or sentences each day can be a way of tracking not only events, but also your own observations of your thoughts, your feelings, and any physical changes in your body. Building your awareness can enhance recognition of areas that need to be strengthened and require further support.
Connect with trusted supports.
Be proactive by recognizing your need for help during a difficult time. Even more important, is the action of going a step further and letting people in, behind the walls that guard your heart. None of us can truly do all the hard things alone, nor do you have to. Communicate your needs. If you don’t have all the answers, that’s ok, allow others to offer options you can choose from. If there are trusted people (family, colleagues) in your life, ask for help, and receive it. Professionals are a great resource for support and unbiased guidance, strategies on what to expect, and how to manage difficult emotions. Reach out to me for a free, no obligation consultation to gain clarity on your next steps. Counseling is a valuable resource that allows you establish goals, process your feelings and determine a path forward.
Issues of loss and difficult life transitions require support to achieve healing and healthy outcomes. I'm here to talk with you. Schedule a free initial consultation here to gain clarity on your path to wellness.
Website: mindfulhomeinteriorsnc.com
Email: mindfulhomeinteriors@gmail.com
Phone: (919) 229-9152
Make Time for Healing
