Reframing the Situation: Coping with Everyday Life
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."
Whether you subscribe to a religion or not, you probably have spent some time dwelling on things you cannot change or blaming the universe for things you CAN change.
Lately, I've been spending a lot of time wondering why my situation seemed so, excuse my language, shitty. It turns out, it's really a matter of perspective and realizing that some of these things I complain about are actually in my control.
If there's just one thing I can control it's my attitude. The other day, I was feeling particularly bitter about my situation and I stopped for a second and asked my boyfriend, "Do I just have a bad attitude?" It hadn't occurred to me until then that maybe the problem was not my circumstances but the way I was handling it all.
Don't get me wrong; changing your perspective can be extremely difficult, especially when you need it the most. As of late, a lot of my stress has come from school and work and while I know it is important in the long run, it just seems like I'll never make it through.
Here are some of the things I remind myself of when I'm feeling stuck and hopeless about my circumstances.
1. It doesn't last forever: The thing about life is that everything is temporary. Sometimes we get stuck into this mindset of "Things will never get better," but the truth is that nothing, not even the worst of feelings, lasts forever. Our lives are constantly changing and providing us with new opportunities and challenges.
2. I need to focus on the things that are within my control: Another fact of life is that there are some things we can't control. And as frustrating as that may be, we are only hurting ourselves by dwelling on these things. The only way to improve our situation is to focus our efforts on the things that we can change. Think of your to-do list as a list of things you can have an effect on.
3. Positivity makes positivity: Having a positive attitude can make such a HUGE difference in your day. Once you get the good vibes rolling, they just keep on coming. It may seem cheesy but it definitely works to look on the bright side. Instead of just looking on the bright side, maybe WALK on the bright side. Focus on the positive and the rest will seem to melt away. If you find yourself thinking, "Ugh, this sucks," that's completely normal. Just let yourself feel what you feel, but then let the positive vibes take control.
If you tend to be a "negative Nancy," like me, I hope these little reminders will help you get through the stressors of everyday life. Take a deep breath and start each day with a positive attitude and the good vibes will follow. Thanks for reading and see you next time. xo.
