Overcoming Struggles

Everyone faces struggles. Most of us on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean we can’t defeat those obstacles and move forward without creating more friction in other areas of our lives.

What Does it Mean to Struggle?

To struggle means you have obstacles in front of you, whether large or small that you are trying to overcome with difficulty.

Things may seem like they are mountains standing tall, in our way for us to climb and climb in order to reach the top and begin descending down the other side. Others may seem like small hills, but still difficult to overcome.

No one knows what struggles you are really facing but you. You may talk to someone about them and they may have some inkling of understanding, but everyone is different. They react different, their choices are different, their life is different; but that doesn’t mean you have to face those struggles completely alone.

There are many areas where you could be struggling right now:

• Relationships (Either with a significant other, family member, friend or acquaintance)
• Finances (You don’t have enough coming in to cover what is going out, your budget never adds up, there is a major spender in the house)
• Health/Mental (Disease, sickness, doubt, worry, fear, even terror)
• Physical (Aches, pains, broken bones, surgeries)
• Vision Based (You may not be going through something, but someone close to you is and you may not know what to do to help)
• Life (Just life in general, big or small)
• Work (Co-workers, projects, tasks)

Those are just a few areas you could be struggling in right now. These struggles could lead to stress, anger, frustration and more. We are always trying to find ways to release and beat those struggles so we can go on living the life we dreamed having. It’s not always easy and the road may be wrought with further struggles along the way, but that doesn’t mean you will never get through it. Take it one step at a time.

5 Steps to Overcome Your Struggles

Step One:

Identify and reflect on the problem or struggle – It’s hard to overcome a struggle if you don’t know exactly what that struggle is and understand why you are having that particular struggle. Take a moment to think about the struggle and why you believe you are having this struggle. Make some notes and keep them handy as you work though. It’s great motivation in the future to see what other things you’ve overcome.

Step Two:

Mindset – Your mind is so full of the day to day things that when other things or even the smallest tasks come into play it can cause the stress to overwhelm you. Work on relaxing your mind, sifting through what needs to be down now and what needs to be down later, find ways to take some time for yourself, to recharge and relax so that you can think clearly about the struggle you are having.

• Meditate
• Find some quiet time to re-organize and prioritize
• Update your routine to add beneficial positive changes
• Keep your focus on the long-term (create a journal, vision board, or something else to keep it in front of you)
• Filter out the negative

Step Three:

Face Your Fears – This may be one of the hardest things for you to do. I know it was for me when I was facing one particular struggle. It still gets to me sometimes, but I’m definitely getting better with it. It’s not easy facing your fears and some take more than a few minutes or hours to face and defeat. The good news is that no matter how long it takes, you can face it and move forward. I’ve been facing this particular fear for years. It pops up every now and then, some times the fear is worse than others, but I’ve always been able to overcome that fear and that’s a great feeling. Never think you cannot face your fears. You are more than capable and have strength to face many more.

Step Four:

Have Faith – Having faith can mean multiple things. It can mean having faith in whichever religion you are a part of and it can mean having faith in yourself. Either way, having faith can change your way of thinking and you can find support, determination, strength from either. When you have faith in yourself, you are able to fight any fear, defeat any obstacle and forge any path you choose. Find inspiring quotes, images and more to help keep your faith visual and ready when you are feeling down. You need to know that you are stronger than you think and can overcome any obstacle life throws at you.

Step Five:

Don’t Give Up! – The last thing you want to do is give up. It may seem easier to just let things go as they are, but you would be wrong. There is nothing worse than giving up. Letting those struggles and obstacles overwhelm you to the point you just want to give up on everything is not the way to go. You were created with strength, wit, determination, and perseverance. Now show yourself you can do anything, starting with your current struggle!

Tips to Help

Find a Support System – I made the mistake of keeping my struggles closed up inside. I wen’t along trying to continue with my day as I usually do, but it didn’t work. It definitely didn’t help. Once I opened up and spoke with someone about it, I realized that was what I needed. I went almost a year trying to fight this thing on my own, but when I opened up and spoke to someone about it, it helped get it out in the open and I could hear it for what it was – fear. I was then able to overcome that fear with their help. Don’t underestimate the power of a good support system.

Don’t Avoid Your Struggles – You may think that ignoring the problem will go away, but as most know it just sticks around kicking you until you crumble. It won’t go away on its own. You have to do something to overpower it and give it a good kick yourself.

Don’t Give In – Just a reminder not give up! We all need a reminder every now and then.

Use Visuals – The power of having visuals that you look at on a daily basis can be a powerful thing. Check out my post on Vision Boards to see how you can use them in your own life. Use images, quotes, items and more to keep your spirits up and your goals in your mind.

Incorporate Audio – You may or may not feel this would help; but millions of people, every day, are listening to inspiring podcasts, motivational speeches and songs to help them get through tough times. Create a playlist of your favorite uplifting songs or motivational songs. Find podcasts to help you with the struggle you have today. There are TONS out there. Whatever you are working through, there is a podcast or encouraging song about it.

Final Thoughts

No matter what you are going through right now, there are ways to get through it and overcome the obstacle life throws at you. You are Worthy of trying to help yourself get out from your struggles. What helps you when you are struggling? What are you favorite things to do to find peace with life? Comment below!