When the going gets tough…
Hello again….
It’s such a long time since my last blog and my apologies to all those who have been waiting to read something new. The fact is that life got in the way; busy with work and kids and goodness knows what else. I also haven’t been well recently. Nothing too serious but it set me thinking; if a virus could knock me for six, how much harder must it be to get back up on your feet after a long and serious illness. How do you pick yourself up, set your shoulders straight and march on?
I wonder how Liviani will find the strength to travel the long road to recovery. Perhaps the thought of her son will keep her going? Perhaps knowing that her employer cares for her will inspire her? It’s a tremendous story of love and hope and you can read about it and be part of it here.
How will Masum start again? Thirteen years of hard work to build his family a home, wiped out in a matter of minutes; how will he find the courage and energy to start once again? Perhaps the generosity of strangers will allow him to rise from the ashes. You can read his story here.
Perhaps not on the scale of the people featuring in the campaigns of Give.asia but we’ve all had tough times. We’ve all felt weary and discouraged; we all need our spirits to be lifted now and again.
Wellness gurus often advise that the first step to positivity is to acknowledge your situation. Life isn’t always fair, bad things happen to good people. Don’t suppress your fears, anger or hurt; listen to how you feel and don’t make your life harder by feeling unhappy that you are unhappy. You’re allowed to feel crap and overwhelmed and frightened and frustrated - because you’re human. But then don’t dwell on it. It may not seem like you have the strength to help yourself feel better, but there’s almost always something you can do…
Here are some ideas:
1. Connect with an old friend: Call up the friend who knows you warts and all, who’s seen you at your worst but still hasn’t disowned you; this is the person you can be honest with. Share your fears and let them buoy you up.
2. Laugh: It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine. If your friend isn’t a stand-up comedian then go and watch a real one, or buy a ticket to a funny movie. If all else fails do something silly or go and watch the toddlers in the playground. At some stage one of them will do something hilarious.
3. Act out of character: If the skin you’re currently in is miserable, then step into someone else’s. Think of something you’d never do, not in a million years, and do it! If you’ve not done any art since school, sign up for a painting class. Always been too scared to perform? Join a drama workshop. Being someone else for a day will help you leave behind the cares of being yourself. The aim is to shake things up.
4. Create a peaceful space: When we’re surrounded by mess and chaos it brings stress and prevents us from thinking clearly. Spend a few hours cleaning and tidying your immediate environment and then make it look as beautiful as possible. It may be a bunch of inexpensive orchids or pinning up colourful postcards but a happy environment will impact positively on your state of mind.
5. Find some fresh air: Connecting with nature has been scientifically proven to make us feel better. Go where you can see the greenery and the sky. You don’t need to be doing anything; just walking, breathing and observing the world around you is enough to make a bad day better.
6. Celebrate small victories: The road ahead can sometimes be long and hard and the end destination too distant to imagine ever getting there. That’s why it’s important to celebrate each step along the way. It may only be a baby step but shout ‘hurrah’ and give it a mental high-five. Every small victory is an achievement.
7. Help someone else: A magic thing happens when you focus on trying to make someone else happy; you get happier. When you work to improve the lot of someone else, you’ll find your own life enriched. There’s nothing like ‘doing good’ to raise your spirits (and take your mind off your own problems for a while).
And as for me? How do I lift my spirits? Dancing round the living room to a great song always helps and there’s no doubt that this is a great one (plus if you’re over 40 it’s impossible not to smile watching the video).
Lucy-Ann Dale
