No more silver linings

Sometimes life sucks. A lot.

In those times, it can feel like a herculean task to believe hope exists, much less to see any good. The last thing we want (or need) is for someone to ‘silver-line’ the situation for us — telling us to focus on the good with the implication that somehow the bad will just disappear, or worse, that the bad doesn’t matter.

We can’t just ‘get over’ a tragic or difficult experience. Healing takes time.

But how can we hold onto hope during those dark days, weeks, or months? How can we keep from spiraling into utter despair?

There’s not one universal quick fix, but there are a couple actions that will help propel us toward healing.

• Ask for help. Connecting with people who care is a lifeline when you feel like giving up.
• Journal your thoughts and feelings daily. It doesn’t have to be much, just a couple sentences every day to help process what’s going on inside you.
• Notice anything that brings a smile to your face. These occurrences might be small and infrequent, but take a moment to celebrate the tiny ray of light they bring.
• Be real about the pain. It matters.