Tricky situations will always be around, but oh the number of tricky situations at the moment. You might feel challenged by covid-19, your work situation, exam results, Brexit, restrictions in your travel plans, or other things you experience in your personal life or read in the news.
First things first: The emotions you are experiencing in this moment, whether pleasant, neutral or unpleasant, are all valid ❤️ Perhaps choose to take a few conscious breaths right now and notice that you are here, in this moment. Close your eyes if that’s helpful, come back to you. It is always good to be aware of how you feel and what thoughts are around, because then you know where you are and can act from there.
Secondly, I’d like to share what I tell myself when I experience tricky situations. I have gone there a few times recently! These are my go-to expressions to steer the mind away from negative self-talk, judgment of the situation or from becoming overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness or anger that so easily come when facing challenges. Any time I encounter something difficult and remember one of the expressions below I quickly feel more at ease. I hope that by reading this article you will find something that can be helpful to you. The points below are sort of intertwined. Bottom line, it is all about coming into the present moment! Here they are:
Accept this moment as it is. When faced with a challenging situation it helps when I tell myself that the situation has come into my life to make me grow. I consciously turn it around to see the situation as an opportunity rather than something blocking me. Bringing acceptance to what is helps me feel more calm which in turn brings more clarity. It also represents a better place to act from than meeting the challenge with anger or fear.
Focus on what’s good. When I remember to focus on what’s good my attention leaves worrying thoughts right away. Writing a gratitude list is a great way to acknowledge what’s good in one’s life and also train the mind to see the good. It might seem childish or unnecessary, but taking the time to write down what you are grateful for on a daily basis will make you feel better and bring more ease to your life. Practise gratitude, focus on what’s thriving, and you will soon notice that challenges that normally seem really difficult somehow become easier to deal with. Instead of reacting you might start responding in a wiser way to what life throws at you.
I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I like reminding myself of this – it so quickly takes the pressure off! When I don’t judge a difficult situation but rather tell myself that “this is happening right now and I am here to learn something” I feel better. I believe you can turn most situations into an opportunity, something to be grateful for. I find it helpful to remind myself that life actually wants me well – that’s a truth I live by! I allow myself to trust that what is happening in this moment is not as bad as it seems.
Soften to this moment. The less stress and agitation in the mind, the less resistance to what is, the more life is helpful. When I remember that it is actually okay to soften to the moment I pause, breathe, and bring acceptance to what is. Smiling and changing the energy around helps too! If you can, send out goodness and love instead of frustration and fear. You decide what you do with your energy. Positive energy out brings positive energy back to you, and then you open for helpful situations and great opportunities to come your way. Plus more ease when dealing with the not-so-good ones.
Change your perspective. See the situation you are in in a different light. I personally find it helpful to make myself see a tricky situation from above. It broadens my perspective and helps me realise that the situation I find challenging is not as serious and impossible as I first thought.
Let go of control. This is something most of us don’t like or perhaps even fear but it is such a powerful thing to do. I know from experience that as soon as I try to control everything around me I narrow what I see and block good opportunities to come my way. I know it can be really hard to let go and perhaps I never fully do so. Sometimes when it doesn’t feel right or safe to let go of control I instead tell myself to trust life ❤️
Those were my go-to expressions when life feels challenging! I hope it inspired you in some way. Wishing you well X
