“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
-Haruki Murakami, Kafka On The Shore, 2002.
The storm… this is something that we will all inevitably walkthrough. The best part of a storm is that it does not last forever. You are not stuck here. I understand how it feels to fight the war inside your mind and how hard it is to complete even the smallest of tasks. Taking one step in the right direction might be all you need today. Baby steps!
Allow yourself all the time that you might need but, be ready to pick yourself back up again when it’s time. You are your own biggest advocate. I’d like to share with you a few things that are helpful to me when I feel like I’m stuck in the storm and all I can smell is the rain in the air around me:
- Journal. I know, you’re already rolling your eyes, bear with me. This is actually one of the most beneficial things for me. It forces me to slow down my thoughts. When I write it down in front of me, I am physically taking a step in bettering myself.
- Plan. Do you find yourself becoming stressed out when your schedule changes too? Pull out your planner! This does not have to be anything fancy, just what speaks the best to you. Write it down day by day, allowing yourself to take things one day at a time. You do not have to think of everything at once, all the time.
- Take a break. This one is very hard for me, as someone who usually thrives off of having a busy schedule, I find myself to be close to burnout if I push myself too hard without a break. How am I supposed to be helping anyone else if I cannot even help myself? I’ve said it once and I’m adding it again, slow down. It is okay to take time for yourself.
- Friends. These are the people that help us to stay on track. Surround yourself with the people who feel like home and who lead you in the right direction. Keep your schedule open for enough time to see these people, they are here to help you. You are NOT a burden to them. I know you might feel it but, I can promise you that your friends would rather receive a call from you than not hear from you when you are struggling. Don’t go through the storm alone.
So, here is what I have to offer you: journal, plan, take a break and stay close to those crazy people who love you. You are not alone, you are not stuck. There is something beautiful waiting for you outside of the rain clouds, and I just know it’s worth waiting for. You are going to bloom as if the rain was your fuel. You are stronger than you think!