A different way to think about problems...

I've been having a few issues in my personal life recently. Nothing major, but enough to cause some stress and upset.

And whenever I'm going through a difficult situation, I find myself thinking:
 
"I can't wait till this is over. Everything will be ok when I just sort this one issue out!”
 
It's like I’m waiting for this magical time when my whole life is "sorted", and everything’s going well :) 

A bit of learning...
 
Yesterday I took my son for a walk, and saw a woman out walking with her husband.
 
Her husband had what looked like dementia, and was staring into space. He followed her instructions, but didn't communicate with her at all.
 
It was really sad to see.
 
And it hit me:
 
Even if I get these current issues sorted in my personal life... something else will come along!
 
Because we’re always going to have challenges.

The thing about life...
 
We're all probably going to experience death, illness, upset and stress at some point in our lives (I'm sorry to say).
 
We haven’t been promised a problem-free life. We get through one challenge - and another one will come along. That's what makes us grow. 
 
So what can we do to build up our reserves and keep going during these times? Here are some of my ideas for starters:
 

1. Team “You”!
   
   Build up a core group of awesome friends and supporters in your life. People who'll pick you up and keep you going. People you can go to in times of need (and vice versa).
   
   
2. Know what makes you happy
   
   Keep a list of your key "joy-bringers". Little things, like a cup of coffee in the morning before everyone is up. General things, like being outside in nature. Or big things, like getting out of the city or planning a trip with friends.
   
   
3. Create “bookends”
   
   Find an enjoyable way to start and end the day. That way, no matter where you are, no matter what happens, you have this in your life.
   
   It doesn't have to be lengthy. Just think: if you could start your morning any way you liked, how would you start it? And the same for the end of your day... ten minutes of reading, listening to a podcast or mediating at the end of the day can really help.
   
   
4. Reframe it
   
   Is this a “negative” problem, or is it something to learn from? What are you learning from it? Do you need to learn it? (Be honest!) The answer is quite possibly yes. We'll have challenges, but we don't have to see them as enemies. Let's befriend our challenges! :)
   
   
5. Pick your problems
   
   A quote I love:  “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.” (Regina Brett)
   
   Mull that over: why would you choose YOUR problems over someone else's?

 
Challenges are part of life – so what’s in YOUR toolkit to survive future challenges? What could keep you going?
 
Sending huge amounts of love. We'll get though this, together <3
 
Claire

❤