Hi Everyone! It has been awhile since I have last posted a blog. Time has been flying by and it has honestly been tough to keep up with the hustle and bustle of life.

Not long ago, I was struggling with a type of imposter syndrome so to say. I felt like I had done everything right, achieved so much, and yet it just wasn’t enough. It was some sort of rut. Overall, this year has been a tough year on everyone, I think, and there has also been a lot of extra pressure and worry that I was facing this past year. I had forgotten how far I had already came and unfortunately, was too focused on the future and what was going to happen and blah blah blah. What I realized, was that I needed to quit being so stressed about what the future holds and focus more on the RIGHT NOW.

What can I do right now? I can work harder. Make every moment count. And take advantage of any and all opportunities that come my way. That was something I needed reminded of and I hope you all realize that too. We need to focus more on the NOW. I once read this really good book called “The Power of Now,” by Eckhart Tolle. This book talks about focusing on the now in order to discover your truest and deepest self. It’s a great motivational and inspirational book that I do recommend you all to read. But overall, we all need to focus more on the present and what is happening right now.

In this post I want to give you all some advice and tips on how to push forward throughout the difficult times because during those times, we need more motivation than ever to keep pushing forward and persevering.

1. Try Something New

Whenever you feel like you are stuck in a rut, whether it be personally or professionally, take the time to try something new. Maybe it’s something you have always wanted to try or maybe it’s some random venture you’ve discovered. Take the time to try something new. Doing this helps you focus on what you are currently doing. This is a new task so your brain has to focus harder than on tasks you do on a daily basis. This gives you the opportunity to really dig down and be present in the moment.

For me, a lot of my struggles have been professional which have then trickled down into my personal life. All I was feeling was stress, worry, and doubt all the time. After taking time to reflect, I realized that the root of my problem lied professionally. Because of this, I tried my hand at something new on the professional scale. The idea I had was to start teaching people the different skills that I have and know very well. Within two and a half weeks I had created my first lesson plan, figured out how and where to sell tickets, where to advertise, and also managed to sell 15/100 throughout that whole time. Now, that may not sound like a lot, but I was SO ecstatic that even 15 people were interested to learn about a skill set I had.

The time came to teach my class and I was super nervous. I was questioning every little detail about it, but in a good way. I wanted it to be perfect and I wanted it to help people learn. This gave me a fire in my professional life that I was worried was dimming. And all in all, I had an absolute blast teaching people about what I love to do.

Not only did I love the whole process but I also only focused on the NOW while I was doing it. If you are starting to feel like your light is dimming, try something new. There may be a little nerves but you’re focusing on what’s right in front of you. Not the future. And not the past.

2. Talk to Loved Ones

This is one of the best pieces of advice I can give, honestly. Whether it be family or a friend, talking with a loved one can take a huge weight off your chest. These people love and support you more than anyone else in the world — so talk to them! There has been countless times, I have called my mom just to talk about something completely random or maybe even something that is stressing me out. Either way, I always feel tremendous pressure taken off my shoulders afterwards.

Sometimes you just need someone to listen. Whether you want to talk about what’s stressing you out, ask for advice, or just have a chat, talking to your loved ones can really help. Vulnerability can deepen your connection with that person and also remind you that you are not alone on this journey. If you need more than just a phone call, invite them to lunch or hang out at one another’s house. Ensure you thank them for listening, not only will it strengthen your bond, but this also helps you appreciate and recognize your support system. This support system is here to help you through these difficult days.

3. Do Something You Enjoy

We get so caught up in life that sometimes we tend to get to a point where we stop doing things we enjoy. That can either be because our schedules have been completely booked for weeks on end or maybe because you are in a state of depression where you just want to sleep and don’t get out of bed. Why do we get into these states? We’re most likely thinking about the past and the future and all the worries that life brings you. Instead, by taking the time to do something you enjoy, you will focus more on what you can control and what is happening right now in this very moment. For example, right now you’re reading this post. Are you actually reading it or are you “reading” but actually thinking about things that are stressing you out? Stop it!

Get up right NOW (or right after you finish reading this post) and go do something you love!! Whether it’s painting, going on a walk, reading a book, eating dinner at your favorite restaurant, playing with your dog, or anything else you can possibly think of — GO DO IT! If you don’t think you have time for something else in your schedule, you do. If don’t feel like moving, too bad, get up. Doing something you love doesn’t have to be a planned venture that you stress about adding to your schedule. Be spontaneous. What would you enjoy doing right now in this very moment? Go do it.

4. Remind Yourself of Your “Why”

When days start to feel overwhelming, take the time to remind yourself why you are doing what you’re doing. Think about the greater purpose — the goals you have, the dreams you have, and the people that drive you forward. If you’re in to crafting, or even if you’re not, I recommend that you all make a vision board. #1 This helps you actively focus on what you’re doing right now (which is crafting and picking out which pictures and words you’d like to use). And #2 this also gives you a healthy outlet to reflect on your goals and dreams for the future without stressing about them.

While doing this you can also reflect on things from the past to really find your “Why.” There’s a theory called the Butterfly Effect which talks about how one small change in the initial conditions of a complex system(your life) can lead to significantly different outcomes later on. It might be meeting a person that changed your entire life. It might be something you experienced as a child. It could be any life event that has changed your life path, maybe even without you realizing it at the time. That is your “Why.”

Why did you decide to be in your profession? Why do you choose to support certain causes or ideas? Why do you believe what you believe? These are all questions that can lead to discovery of your butterfly effect, and reasoning as to why. Whether it’s working hard for your family, pursuing a passion, or striving for a better future, reconnecting with this purpose can reignite your determination. Your “why” is your anchor, providing strength and clarity to push through even the toughest challenges.

Conclusion

In the end, we are all going to have difficult days and difficult periods in our lives. We need to focus on what we can control and be more present in the moment. It’s human nature to lean on others for support, so don’t feel like you are isolated. There are people out here who love you and want you to succeed. And finally, keep pushing through the good and the bad. Everything will work out exactly how it’s meant to be. All you can do is put your all into it and say that you worked as hard as you possibly could.