Sometimes life will force you out of your comfort zone. Unexpected circumstances can hit you so hard it will leave you numb, breathless, confused and even broken. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion or lost your job. Maybe your partner of 10 years left you for someone else or cheated on you. Whatever it may be, it’s easy to be caught up in despair and only see a dark road ahead when things don’t work out the way they’re supposed to.
But believe it or not, sudden and unwelcomed life events are not necessarily bad. In fact, they can actually be a blessing in disguise if you’re willing to find the silver lining. Here are 7 ways to bounce back when life punches you in the face.
1. Don’t get stuck in negativity
It’s normal to want to blame someone when you face setbacks, roadblocks and defeats. You may also feel angry, frustrated, scared, or sad. Even if you didn’t do anything wrong, you cat keep reliving the unpleasant moments over and over again. It will only stop you from reaching your goals and you will not get anywhere. Don’t waste your time and energy on people who cannot see your value.
2. Give yourself time
It’s okay to take some time to process what happened. Maybe it’s something so big you can’t digest everything at once. But at the end of the day, you need to learn to accept it. One day is more than enough for you to go through this process. The sooner you face the facts, the better. Avoid the what-ifs, if-onlys, and should-haves. It’s not worth it.
3. Don’t panic
Breathe. It’s not the end of the world. Setbacks happen to everyone. Once you make peace with reality, try to focus on your next move. Stay calm. Do whatever you need to do to relax. Maybe it’s a beach getaway, yoga, or meditation. Maybe it’s something as simple as talking to a friend or seeking support from family members. Just remember that this too shall pass and you will be fine.
4. Take back control of your life
Perhaps all you feel like doing is watching your favourite TV shows or playing online games to block everything out. Sure, it’s not wrong to do the things you enjoy, but don’t let yourself get lost in this stage. You need to get up and do something. Feeling helpless or hopeless is one thing, but wasting too much time on something that will not bring you any value is another. Avoid falling into the trap at all costs because if you don’t, you will be stuck feeling nothing but lifeless.
5. Look for inspiration
It can be anything from movie quotes to books, online articles, people, music, and more. Let something inspire you so much that you feel alive again. A small source of inspiration can make a big difference in your life. Just take some time to find it. It really isn’t difficult and you don’t need a lot of effort to make it happen. You can even do it from the comfort of your own home.
6. Know what you want
Now that you’re back to square one, think about what you really want to do in life. You’ve got nothing to lose but a lot more to gain if you believe in yourself. Let your passion help guide you. You could start a travel blog. Run a small business with a friend. The sky is the limit! This is the time to make all your dreams come true and reflect. Don’t be afraid to move on. All you have to do is try and start small.
7. Stay positive
Believe with all your heart that you can and will get through this. Even if you run into a few obstacles in the beginning, always remind yourself that you’re on the road to better things. Have courage, confidence, and faith. Don’t let life’s circumstances stop you from reaching your true potential. You have a lot to offer the world. Never look back. Move forward and you will eventually find people who can see your worth!
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston S. Churchill
