We all have some sort of adversity in our life. There is often a struggle that goes with it. The way you respond or react to it will make all the difference. It’s also a chance to learn, grow and develop resilience. Perhaps you handle it in ways you are proud, and other times where that is not the case. However, it teaches you a valuable lesson.

How to overcome adversity

Seek out someone who had gone through a similar challenge

My guess is you know someone who has gone through some sort of similar challenge. If you don’t, perhaps a friend or family member knows of someone. Maybe there is some sort of support group for people who have gone through something similar. Of course each person’s challenge will be unique in its own way.

By reaching out to someone who has also struggled makes you feel less alone. The other person can help you get through it. Thus they provide hope.

Provide social support for others’ adversity

By teaching others what you have learned along the way or how you got through your rough time will make you feel good. It’s nice to know that someone else can benefit through your struggle. When someone turns to you for support and you help him or her, it boosts your self-esteem. Pass along the wisdom you learn from others. In addition when you help someone else, it takes your mind off your own worries.

Growth opportunities

If you have a growth mindset that you can learn and grow from you adversity, it will help you develop resilience. When you believe this, you know that you will experience setbacks, but you will get through them.

One thing you can do to have this mindset is to reframe adversity as learning opportunities. Recognize that your progress may not be going at the pace you want, but each little step helps you move in the right direction. Know that you will learn something new about yourself.

Set small goals for adversity

If you have a challenge that seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller steps. Remember, each step moves you through your challenge. As you have small successes, it will give you energy to get through it. Be sure your goal can be measured, so you know you are making progress. You can also set a date that you want to complete that step. Celebrate your successes along the way.

Don’t avoid your fears

If you avoid what you are afraid of your fears will grow. I have seen anxiety cripple people. Their life shrinks and they may not even leave their house. The sooner you face your fears the better off you will be. It is a relief to have the monkey off your back.

You might even consider therapy if you are stuck. There are also all sorts of stress management and relaxation techniques that can help you through your adversity.

Work on your optimism

This certainly doesn’t mean that we ignore tough situations; it means that we look for the silver lining. Something good usually comes out of it. Working on your optimism can improve your hope, decrease stress, and make you feel more alive.

Some ways to increase optimism are to practice gratitude. It will shift your mindset. A simple exercise you can do is to write down 3 things each day that you are grateful for. If you look, there are good things happening that you might be taking for granted.

Visualize yourself getting through this problem and what life will look like when it is behind your back. Reframe your negative thinking. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” reframe it as, “This is hard, but I will figure it out.

Self-care for adversity

Taking care of you is crucial, especially when you are going through a rough time. What is it that charges your batteries? Do you like to play sports, exercise, engage in a hobby, phone a friend, play with your pets, meditate or do yoga? That is just a small list of things that might help. You know what you like to do and what relaxes you. Take the time for yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others.

Accept what you can’t control

Perhaps your struggle involves another person. You can only do your best. You cannot make another person do what you want. They have to want to do it themselves.

Perhaps someone is ill. There may be nothing you can do other than to support that person.

You may be doing all that you can do and it makes no difference. Letting go is challenging. However, if you can let yourself off the hook, your own stress and anxiety will significantly decrease.

Sometimes journaling and writing down your feelings can help you process them and validate them. As a result, you may feel some relief.

If you are struggling with adversity, therapy can help. As a matter of fact, this is one of the things that brings most people in to therapy. If they weren’t struggling in some way, shape or form, they wouldn’t come. If you are struggling, please give me a call at 713-304-6554 and I can help you with your challenge.

Take care,

Debbie