Your Challenges Are Going to Turn Into Opportunities
Hello there, this is your friendly reminder that your challenges are going to turn into opportunities 🌸 Today, I suddenly felt the intense emotions I had when my husband and I had to endure emotional abuse from my father-in-law during the pandemic; this was a chaotic time that lasted for years. My MIL was fine, but she avoided confronting the issue and prioritized other things at that time. Maybe it was a form of denial? I'm not sure. But it was upsetting how we were left to deal with their crazy marital drama and responsibilities because that left us drained at a soul level incomprehensible to them, sadly. The pain was immense and life-changing in many ways. I could only wish my in-laws had the slightest idea how their actions have hurt us and others, but there was no point. When people are used to extreme dysfunction, introducing healthy behaviors can be an extreme challenge because it's an entirely different concept to them.
Fortunately, we are finally out of that situation, and I’m thankful for that, but as you know, it takes time to heal. It’s not something you can force in a month or two. Patience is required.
For today’s post, I want to share a few musings from my personal experience. I hope it helps someone or at least provides comfort, in any way, to those who are going through something.
Hmm. So where do I start?
Life & Challenges
We all encounter challenges that vary in degrees of intensity. We have minor inconveniences, personal struggles, and sometimes, big problems. There is no such thing as a perfect life.
Challenges are a part of everyone’s journey. They are given to us to strengthen our character. It’s just that some challenges are lighter or heavier than others. When it’s too much to bear, remember that nothing is permanent in this world, including our problems; everything will be fine.
So yeah, here are those musings:
Confront your emotions no matter how unpleasant they may be. If you want to cry, then cry. It’s better to express your feelings than to leave them inside your heart. Keeping them in for a long time can cause you to project your anger to others, or compromise your physical health. I remember crying a lot and having boxes of tissues on my side. It wasn't a pleasant sight, but I felt better after that. Stress is a silent killer. So, as hard as it can be, confront your emotions. If you find it hard to cry, you can write things down on a piece of paper and (safely) burn it in a pit.
Don’t let pain get a hold of your heart. While what happened to us broke my heart into what felt like a million pieces, I could not let a bad experience dim my perspective on life. My FIL was toxic, and he has caused us a great deal of excruciating pain. But, if I hated him too much, wouldn't I have become the same person that I disliked? I, or my husband, would have also taken it on someone else, and the pattern would have continued. Well, that's what I wanted to avoid. It is just not acceptable for me. My parents raised me and my sister lovingly and with respect.
It’s not the end of the world. Count your blessings and find reasons to smile. During moments of difficulty, it's easy to get caught up in our problems. But remember, there is always something to be thankful for. Do you have food on the table? Do you have a roof over your head? If yes, express gratitude. No matter how tough life gets, remember to find reasons to smile. Pick yourself up bit by bit. Take baby steps. Before you know it, you're up on your feet and ready to get back on track. As for me, I enjoyed collecting stickers and making videos at that time. It helped a lot.
Have a good support system. When you're at your lowest, it's important to have a reliable support system that can give you care, guidance, and moral support. I am lucky I had people I could confide in during that time. It makes a difference to have good people around you. Seek support from trusted family and friends. Avoid people who like drama because they will always attract drama, and the effects can spill over to you (this is what happened to us).
There is always something to learn. Again, challenges are a part of everyone's journey. It is up to us what we make of them. The world may be cruel sometimes and put us in certain circumstances, but I believe it is never for nothing. They always come with lessons. As for us, it was a lesson in setting our boundaries. We feel way happier now that we're away from all the negativity.
If you went through a traumatic experience, please do not hesitate to seek professional help if needed. Traumatic events can affect your well-being, relationships, and overall productivity; seek help if needed. It is your responsibility to take after yourself. Please do not hesitate.
Lastly, in every crisis, there is an opportunity. You’ll figure this one out yourself 💚
Well, I guess that’s all for today. Thank you for reading! I appreciate you being here.
Before I end this post, let me just claim it for you: your challenges will turn into opportunities.
Keep going, you’re doing great! Virtual hugs!
