Student and author, Cameron D. Wheeler’s latest book, One Decision Away978-1951630423 focuses on the author’s struggles in life and how he turned his life around. With this book, Wheeler aims to help others understand the power of choice they have and how they can use it to change their life for the better. Wheeler struggled with alcohol addiction after the loss of his mother but was able to pull himself out of a dark place in life. He became an opportunist and was able to start a business, leaving behind a dark time in his life.
Many people have gone through similar struggles in life, some have easily gotten back up on their feet and others have struggled to find solid ground. If you are going through a rough patch in life and finding it difficult to pull yourself out from the dark place, here are 4 steps by Writing Renaissance, to help you:
1. Identify the source of the pain
The first step is sometimes the hardest, but digging to the root of your pain and unraveling the source creates the necessary room for healing. Spend time with only your thoughts and take a moment to reflect on the situation at hand. Rather thana form of reflecting be listening to a song that reminds you of better times, or just doing any soothing activity that allows your mind to home in on the tender sensitivity that is keeping you from putting real warmth behind your smile. Do whatever works for you, but be sure to pay attention to your feelings and learn what thoughts, actions, and situations are causing you to feel blocked by sorrow.
Once identified, acknowledge the good and bad in your life. Think of happier times before the incident, then think of the exact cause of your hardship. Now, think about how you can transfer the joy that you felt previously to your new reality. Most people find this part challenging, but the more open and honest you are, the smoother the healing process.
2. Find a calming hobby
We all have hobbies or activities that we enjoy doing in our spare time. When down in the dumps it’s not difficult to slip further and further into an ocean of depression, that is why it is vitally important to keep your mind engaged in something that you enjoy. Whatever hobby you choose should be soothing enough to allow for a mental escape that takes your mind away from the stresses of everyday life. If you are more of an active person you can pick up fishing, biking, walking, dancing, or swimming. For the home-bodies, maybe try cooking, coloring, gardening, or reading. If you can’t seem to find something you enjoy ask yourself these questions: Is there a particular skill that you would like to develop? Are you getting enough physical activity in your daily life? Are there things that you enjoyed doing in your childhood that you would like to revisit? Doing an activity that you fancy increases confidence and self-esteem, which are two of the main ingredients for continued lively behaviorism.
3. Create a positive mindset
Stop speaking negatively about yourself and your life, even as a joke, your spirit doesn’t know the difference. The energy we put out to the world is often time returned with interest. When we are hurting, we are more vulnerable to negative thoughts and toxic energy than ever; that is why it is so important to be kind to yourself and use that negative energy for something else, for example, a newfound hobby. In the beginning, you may need to “trick” your mind into being more positive by smiling and practicing positive posture. Surround yourself with genuine people and you will notice that you spend a lot less time paying attention to negative thoughts.
4. Develop a routine
One of the best ways to cope with change is to develop a routine that allows you to effortlessly work towards your goal. You no longer will worry of; “when will I get this done?” if you have specifically placed time aside for certain tasks. A schedule will allow you to make the most of your time and aid in forming healthy habits. The certainty of a routine helps reduce the unpredictability from life, easing a lot of the unnecessary stress we take on. Less stress equates to better sleep and improved bedtime habits affect your mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy level. A routine acts as an anchor and allows us more control over our lives.
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