Life has its ups and downs. In the past, when I hit a low point, I would dig an even deeper point. I would feel sad, anxious, and overwhelmed, and then I would feel upset with myself over feeling that way. It would take a lot for me to climb my way out of the low point.

Now when I hit a low point, I don’t dwell on it for very long. I’m able to recover a lot quicker than I used to.

Here’s how:

• Take a Break
• Give Yourself Grace
• Feel Your Feelings
• Take Care
• Start Again

Take a Break

I understand how difficult it can be to not get caught up in the rat race. I used to talk down on myself for needing to take time off. I was convinced that I should be able to juggle everything all at once, all the time. That if I wasn’t being productive, then I shouldn’t take time to rest.

I didn’t realize before how detrimental that was to my overall mental health, and how by not resting, I was only hurting myself. It can seem counterintuitive to take a break when you feel overwhelmed or there’s a lot going on. But the truth is that is probably when you need to take time for yourself the most.

Rest can rejuvenate your spirit. Most of the time, rest is exactly what I need to feel like I’m back on track. It helps me regain my energy and push forward out of the low point.

Give Yourself Grace

You are worthy no matter where you’re at in life. I would often feel frustrated when I hit a low point. I felt like I was the only person failing and stumbling through life. Instead of giving myself grace and treating myself kindly, I would be mean to myself… I would constantly criticize myself because I thought I should be doing better. I thought that difficult times should have no effect on me.

When I started to give myself grace, I slowly stopped using all of my energy by judging and criticizing myself. Instead, I began to encourage myself to keep going. Giving myself grace gave me freedom.

Feel Your Feelings

The more I felt my feelings, the easier it was to move past them. I used to suppress my feelings a lot. I wouldn’t allow myself to feel “bad” feelings. If I was upset, I wouldn’t express it. I would simply ignore my feelings until I exploded or felt overwhelmed.

Since I was not expressing and releasing my feelings, they stayed stored in my body. Tension would build – causing me to feel exhausted. Bottling up my emotions was harming my health and inner being. I was suffering but too afraid and uncomfortable to break myself free from my suffering.

Feeling my feelings allowed me to let go and move forward. Feeling the highs and lows made me resilient. It gave me confidence that I would always come out stronger. Life would not get the better of me.

Take Care

When you are at a low point, do what makes you feel good. Take care of yourself! It’s okay to need extra love on some days. Give yourself what you need.

Express joy when it feels natural. Engage in silly activities. Have fun. Do what it takes to feel better again. Remember, only you can truly define what it means to take care of yourself. For some, it’s long naps, while for others, it’s long runs. Do what’s right for you.

Start Again

In the past, low points would make me feel like I was starting over again. It made me feel like I was failing instead of learning. I felt like I took many steps back whenever I hit a low point. Feeling that way made it more difficult to pick me back up.

I started to reframe, and now I feel like I’m starting again. I’m not starting over – I’m starting where I left off. Except now, I’m bringing all the lessons I’ve learned with me.

If I have an off week, I don’t end up making it an off month by getting stuck in a rut. I take the time I need to feel better, and I keep it pushing. I start again.