When life gets hard.

  A while back, I caught a metal bar to the face. I hit me in the mouth, broke a cap, and drove several of my lower teeth through the area just below the lip. To say it hurt would be a massive understatement, at best.

  This was about 4 weeks ago, I’ve been waiting for things to heal up a bit before going in to have things checked out. There is still a sore that hasn’t healed completely, and it still hurts. I won’t go into specifics because it isn’t necessary, on the upside my teeth have reset so they aren’t still loose and I will go in to have some filling put back in and get the busted cap repaired.

   However, there seems to be some sort of mental thing going on along with. Guess perhaps it finally sank in that I’m not Superman after all.

  My tolerance for disrespect has all but vanished, I feel anxious and unsure about many things. To be honest, I’m not sure if everything is tied together or if it’s just that I’m in a funk. I guess time will tell.

  Below are some of the steps I’ll be taking to resolve whatever it is that I am dealing with. I hope perhaps it may help someone else as well.

🧭 Navigating the Storm:

  How to Stay Afloat When Life Gets Difficult.

  We all hit patches where the road feels less like a smooth highway and more like a rocky, uphill climb. Whether it’s a major setback, an unexpected loss, or just the accumulated stress of daily life, those moments when “difficult” feels like an understatement are inevitable.
The good news? You have more strength than you realize. Dealing with life’s difficulty isn’t about avoiding the storm—it’s about learning how to build a better boat.
1. Acknowledge and Validate Your Feelings
The first and often hardest step is to stop fighting your reality. When things are difficult, it’s natural to feel frustrated, sad, angry, or overwhelmed. Don’t try to shame yourself into “just being positive.”
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a struggling friend. Tell yourself, “This is hard, and it’s okay that I’m struggling right now.”
Give It a Name: Identifying the emotion (e.g., “I feel anxious about money,” or “I am grieving the loss of time”) helps you move from being in the emotion to being able to observe it.
2. Focus on the Smallest Next Step
When the whole picture is overwhelming, zoom in. A difficult life situation often feels like a massive, unmovable mountain. You don’t have to climb the mountain today; you just have to take the next step.
Break it Down: Instead of “Fix my career,” try “Update my resume today.” Instead of “Clean the whole house,” try “Wash the dishes in the sink.”
The Power of 10 Minutes: If a task feels insurmountable, commit to it for just ten minutes. Chances are, once you start, you’ll gain enough momentum to continue, but if not, you still made progress.
3. Lean on Your Pillars of Support
Trying to shoulder a heavy burden alone is the fastest route to burnout. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
Reach Out: Call a trusted friend, family member, or a professional therapist. You don’t need a solution; sometimes, you just need someone to listen without judgment.
Define Your Circle: Who makes you feel seen, heard, and uplifted? Prioritize time and communication with these people and temporarily set boundaries with those who drain your energy.
4. Protect Your Non-Negotiables (Self-Care)
When stress spikes, the first things to go are often sleep, exercise, and good nutrition—the very things you need most.
Move Your Body: Even a ten-minute walk can release tension and shift your perspective. Movement is not an optional luxury; it is a vital stress-management tool.
Prioritize Sleep: Difficult periods demand more energy, making restorative sleep critical. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even if your mind is racing.
Establish a “Micro-Ritual”: Find one small, consistent ritual that is just for you. This could be brewing a special tea, reading for five minutes before bed, or listening to one favorite song. It’s a small anchor of peace in the chaos.
5. Shift Your Narrative: The Power of Perspective
While you can’t control what happens to you, you can absolutely control the meaning you assign to it.
What is This Teaching Me? In every difficulty, there is a lesson waiting to be uncovered—resilience, patience, creative problem-solving, or gratitude for what you still have. Frame the challenge not as a punishment, but as a crucible for growth.
The “One Good Thing” Rule: Before bed, try to recall and write down just one genuinely good thing that happened that day. It doesn’t have to be big—a good cup of coffee, a genuine laugh, or a moment of sunshine. This practice helps retrain your brain to see glimmers of hope.
Life getting difficult is not a failure; it’s a fundamental part of the human experience. Be patient with yourself, be kind to yourself, and remember that just like the seasons, all storms eventually pass. You’ve gotten through 100% of your hardest days so far. You’ve got this one, too.
What specific aspect of dealing with difficulty would you like to read more about next—for example, managing stress through mindfulness, or practical steps for bouncing back from failure?