01/06/2021
Yay! 2020, the dumpster fire of a year, is finally gone and we have a new year and everything will be better. Right? No, not really. Not for everyone. The pandemic is still here. People are still losing jobs because of it’s impact. Some have been in quarantine for so long their mental health is on the fritz. Others are so worried about everything concerning the impact of the pandemic, economics, and the politics involved they are screaming for relief. No, my friend, a new year does not necessarily mean a new beginning.
You may be asking, “Crystal! Why are you telling me this? It’s such a downer.” Well, if you can not understand what I am saying so far then this article may not be for you. This article is for those that understand that life isn’t about love, light, and rainbows. Sometimes, life is about hard knocks, stormy clouds, and mud up to our butt-crack.
Like I said, the new year isn’t about new beginnings, it is a time to be introspective and get perspective of your life and how you are living it. Yes, life is tough and it’s hard to deal with it. Bills are piling up. A jerk boss is breathing down your neck and you’re not sure if you’re the next one on the chopping block. The kids are driving you crazy and their dad won’t help the way you want him to. It can be much worse than what I’m saying. My point is to breath, make time for yourself, and take perspective.
When I say breath, I mean literally breath. Take deep breaths. Breath in until your chest fully expands and you can’t take in anymore. Then slowly let it out. Repeat until you can calmly think about your situation. Yes, your life sucks, but now isn’t the time to contemplate on the royal magnitude of how much your life sucks right now. Now is the time to see how you can look at it from a different perspective and how you can change it to your advantage. The thought of your own personal dumpster fire will come back over and over. Every time it does, breath deeply and calm yourself.
First thing that must be done is take care of yourself. Put aside time to collect yourself. Take a bubble bath. Meditate. Do yoga. Exercise. Love on yourself. Self-care goes a long way in helping you find perspective in life. If anything else, it helps you smell good, look good, and easier to be around.
Second, pay attention to what is going on around you. Find what you can control. What are things you can change right now? Is your house a mess and you are not the only one living there? Ask for help. Have them pick up their own dirty underwear. Short on cash? Yet you get take-out or have unnecessary subscriptions draining your bank account? You know what to do. Do what you can to relieve at least some of the stresses over which you have control.
Thirdly, we are at a time of great resources at our fingertips. If you are reading this, you have access to the internet. The internet is much more than cat videos and celebrity gossip. Find educational videos or articles to teach you something. You can learn crafts, how to meditate or yoga, learn marketable skills, and again, learn how to love on yourself. You can even find charities and government programs to assist you if you are willing to get past your fear and pride to ask for help.
Finally, you have all the resources you need inside you. It’s called wisdom and intuition. Trust in yourself. Use those tools that you were born with to make plans to move you past your challenges. You are not alone in any of this. You have resources. Stop using your monkey brain by making excuses and start finding ways to take control over your life. You can get out of your situation. All you need is to find a different point of view. Try standing on your head or hanging upside down. If anything else, the blood rushing to your brain will change the health of your brain and your visual perspective.
