Managing each fall

We are going to experience times where we slide in different directions than our goals. It might not increase the distance, but we won’t be getting closer either. In my life, I have fallen more times than I can count, but I stand up every time with the help of encouraging people and a healthy environment. The WordPress community, including every one of you readers, helps me keep putting in the effort, even on the toughest days.

Every one of us has a toolbox of strategies to help us manage our tough days. On these tough days sometimes we’ll open the lid and inside our toolbox will look alien. Maybe we don’t have the right strategy for the particular situation we find ourselves in. But we will be able to find it if we put the work in. The key is to figure out where we are, and reorient ourselves to begin moving towards our desired goal again the moment we are able.

Sometimes this will be a short time, a matter of minutes or hours, and will require only small change. Things to check for me are: Am I hungry? Have I had enough sunshine? Do I need exercise? Have I had engaged in meaningful conversation with friends and family today? Have I spent time with God? Do I need time away from screens to reset?

Once I’ve figured out the thing, and done my best to fix it, I feel reinvigorated to dive in again!

Sometimes I will need several days to refill my energy reserves. This requires active management of how I spend my time until I feel like myself again. I will need to say no to more invitations than I usually would, and monitor hunger, and bedtimes earlier more closely. “Letting it slide” is not an option when I feel this way, because I am more likely to make poor decisions if I flick the switch to full autopilot.

Over time I have become more aware of the signs which tell me I am falling away from wellness. When I lack sleep my attention span suffers, even when I am at my paid employment Monday to Friday. Not being able to nap at the office, I compensate by eating more food than I usually would and drinking more water than I would during the day.

I guess the biggest thing I’ve learned is to figure out when I prefer to be around other people and when I prefer to be by myself. I don’t get it right all the time, but I get annoyed at myself less than I used to for getting it wrong.

What pushes me towards the precipice of anxiety will be different to what pushes you. Strategies that work to help me recover my semblance of self may be different to what helps you. Our lives are everchanging. Learn every day, keep adding to your toolbox everyday, and we’ll help ourselves and those we meet who might not have a particular strategy they need yet.

Share stories, my friends! When we learn from each other, we make this world a more inhabitable place for everyone.

If you are at a loss, I recommending praying out loud, to God, or the universe. Sometimes hearing things out loud can help us uncover the real truth within their words. And if you need someone to talk with, my ears are open to listen.

Peace to you, dear reader.

Cover photo by David Bartus from Pexels.

Advertisement