You know the times when you’re so optimistic for what’s to come and grateful for what you have, but you’re also losing a little hope? Or maybe, you’re at a point when you’re approaching your wits end. Wherever you’re at, it’s easy to spiral into the worst case scenario if you don’t tame the worries.
There’s a part of you that really wants to believe, but there’s another part of you that doesn’t want to be disappointed. Because you’ve had to sacrifice so much to be here- jobs, relationships, mindsets, beliefs, material comforts, basically everything that defined who you were at one point.
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It’s like you’ve had to be stripped bare to realize those things don’t define success or even you for that matter. They contribute to the meaning of your life, but when it’s the wrong things or people, they become lessons we wish we never had to learn.
And of course you’re grateful because you can see how those people and things have held you back from stepping into your fullest potential. But there’s still something missing- the proof.
Despite everything you’ve been through, and have made it through, you’re worried that things won’t work out.
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At this point, it isn’t about faith anymore. Faith carried you in the darkness. Faith is what’s kept you alive. This stage is about seeing tangible proof. You need to know that the path you’re on isn’t in vain, that you aren’t being delusional.
So, for the times you question and worry about whether or not things will work out, fall back on the following.
HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF
Are you really about to settle or give up when you’ve fought so hard to get here? You’re so close to getting what you want. Deep down, you know what you want is already yours. Even if it’s really, really deep down, there’s a knowing.
There may even be a small part of you that can’t help but reject yourself because you’re thinking you did something wrong. You didn’t do anything wrong.
I know the delays don’t make sense right now, but one day they will. This isn’t punishment. And you’re not being tested. You’re being prepared for the greatest unfolding of divine blessings. Trust. And don’t give up on yourself. Make it a hard limit.
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TAKE A BREAK
Sometimes we need to stay down for a little while until we can get back up. That’s ok. We can’t always keep pushing forward. So, lay low until you can collect your thoughts and regain your stamina.
You’ve survived the worst of it. You’re going to be tired and drained and exhausted and not want to deal with anything. A self-imposed timeout isn’t giving up, it’s restrategizing for the next steps and giving you the ability to see things from a different perspective.
DO WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL NOURISHED
Maybe it’s cooking a big pot of soup and baking something while you curl up with a book. Maybe it’s a restorative yoga practice followed by a long walk. Or maybe it’s binge watching your favorite tv show for the umpteenth time.
Whatever makes you feel warm and cozy and like things are going to be ok, do it. The simple things are what brings us joy and gives us memories to cherish, especially when we’re in the waiting phase. And it doesn’t hurt that they take us out of our mind, even if it’s just for a moment.
COME BACK TO YOUR PURPOSE
There’s a reason you’re doing this and it’s so much bigger than your disappointments. So, let that be your motivation to keep going. Because our purpose will always outweigh our worries.
That doesn’t mean you should dismiss your gripes and frustrations. Take the time to explore if any unhealed wounds are why you feel like things can’t or won’t work out for you. As long as you keep coming back to yourself and your purpose, you will always beat the internal dialogue that says you can’t.
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REFLECT ON YOUR PURPOSE
It’s hard to see how far we’ve come because we’re not as objective with ourselves as we may be with other people. If anything, we’re far more critical of ourselves, mentally taking notes and keeping score on all the things we said we would do but never did or all the times we screwed up. Now isn’t the time for that.
Focus on how far you’ve come because pessimism never makes us feel better. Besides, you want change. So change what you’re thinking. When things aren’t going right, focus on what’s going right. You’ve had to survive things people will never know about. Celebrate yourself instead of trying to dissect the things that aren’t going as planned.
Remember- it isn’t about the fall. It’s how we rise that matters. And you don’t always have to do it with grace, but you do have to do it for yourself.
I’ll see you soon…in the meantime, love yourself so much that even a Hallmark Christmas movie would be jealous.
