Life is full of ups and downs. It is the world of contrast and duality. We understand right when we compare it to wrong, darkness when we compare it to light, and hardship when we compare it to the easy times. It is the hardship that makes us appreciate the easy times, and it is the easy times that allow us the strength to deal with the hardship. How we deal with the hard times defines who we are as a person, because everyone knows how deal with the easy times. So let’s take this out of the realms of poetry then shall we, and I will try to bring to the table 9 things to stop doing during hard times.
1. Stop hiding from the truth.
The truth can hurt. Sometimes it can really hurt. Hard times come in many different shapes and sizes. Whether dealing with hard financial times, a relationship crisis or anything else, you are going to have to face up to the reality of the situation in order to know how to understand it, and how to deal with it. Hiding from the truth may seem like a good idea, but this sort of avoidance is going to get you nowhere in the long run, and may end up preventing you from making the changes that need to be made in order to get through it.
2. Stop the escapism.
Okay, so nearly everyone indulges in a little escapism from time to time, but when the going gets rough it is going to be even more tempting to run away. The extreme form of hiding from the truth is when regular escapism becomes the norm, and a common form of this is taking copious amounts of drugs and alcohol. This is never clever during hard times, and times will change for the better if you can keep your life on track.
3. Stop being a recluse.
It can be tempting to hide away from the world, and not to see any friends or family. The motive for this usually isn’t selfish, but is based on not wanting to burden others with the bad times you are experiencing. Whilst this may be admirable, it is rarely healthy. Expressing your feelings, and seeing loved ones in the hope that they might raise your spirits, is a more healthy approach, and this does not necessarily mean burdening them. Loved ones should be happy to help.
4. Living unhealthily.
Hard times, especially where related to finance, and our basic personal needs, can sometimes lead to a reduction in the manner in which we conduct ourselves, and in the way we live our lives. This can lead to unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and lack of social contact, all of which make bad times worse. So look after yourself for a quicker turnaround; wash, exercise, eat plenty of plant-based nutrients, and see people that can help inspire.
5. Being lethargic.
One side-effect of hard times can be a sense a lethargy, when energy is needed the most. This laziness, demonstrated both physically and mentally, can lead one to remain in the very state that they need to get out of. This can turn hard times into longer drags, and all that might be needed is a spur in motivation. Try to gain this motivation to act for positive change. The sooner the better too!
6. Giving up hope.
The lethargic feeling associated with hard times is often a result of giving up hope. This is usually a temporary condition which eventually restores itself but there is no harm trying to reinstate it. Remember all the easy times, the times where everything was working. Remember how capable you are of being there in that place of ease. Have hope again.
7. Blaming everyone else.
When times are hard it can feel like the whole world is quite literally against you. This is because a negative mindstate causes you to feel like everything around is the cause of the problem. This can be partially true and sometimes other people can be a part of the picture, but this is no excuse for projecting negativity here and there. At this point it is crucial to regain control by admitting that it is yourself that is at least partially to blame. That is not to say you should be beaten up for it, but that control is in your side of the court even if it does not seem that way. You have the control to change the situation for yourself, and to maintain a perspective that is healthy. The world is not against you.
8. Worrying.
Worrying about a situation does not change the outcome. The only way it might change the outcome is if the worrying leads you to make bad decisions and reactions, in which case it can only have a negative effect. So stop worrying. What’s done is done. What is worth thinking about now is how to make the positive steps towards getting out of the hard times; how to make changes and think positively.
9. Stop wallowing.
Wallowing in self pity is a common reaction to hard times. At first it can begin as a plea for attention, a cry out for communication. Staying in this mindstate for too long leads to wallowing in your own self pity, and it is a trait that over time will grind away at any support network that is trying to help. Getting help off other people is important, and noble, but expecting everybody to feel sorry for you is not. So try and be humble, graceful, and respectful to others even when times are hard in your own life.
