I think a lot of our problems get lumped into this category. We either don’t have the resources to tackle them head on or we have no idea where to go for help. So we just deal with it. And eventually we might not even think we have a problem because we’re so used to dealing with it.
Does it have to be this way?
Can we define what the problem is?
Can we narrow it down to what we really really need to make things better?
Not knowing we have a problem and not knowing what we need or that we need something go hand in hand.
Instead of dealing with it – what would your ideal situation look like? Define it. Articulate what you would need to feel good.
Is it more sleep. Is it less stress and anxiety. Is it better food. Five minutes of quiet in the morning. An extra cup of coffee before you talk to another human. Is it a different routine. What is it? Be as specific as possible.
Sometimes not knowing where to look is because we don’t know what it is that we actually need. And then we become overwhelmed because we try to look everywhere and fail.
Make a list of the things you are “just dealing with.”
Are there any similarities? Any themes? What stands out to you?
Now, make a list of what you need. What would make it feel like you weren’t “just dealing” but actually thriving. Be as specific as possible.
We don’t have to accept less than the best from our circumstances. In fact we are the only ones who can control this. Sometimes sitting down and doing the hard work of examining the things in our lives that might be contributing to our frustration can help us press the reset button. Identify what we need to thrive. And then go find the help we need. Often that help is within us already.
I’m going to take my own advice and write those lists right now.
