Sometimes it’s a challenge to get through the day but there are some ways for finding help when you need it.
I should know. I struggle often.
Posts, Struggles, and Pits
I know what it’s like to feel empty and hopeless and like I don’t matter in the universe. Although this blog is about making the best in life, it doesn’t take long for someone to see the struggles behind the encouragement.
Being Productive when You’re in Pain, How to Succeed when You Want to Stay in Bed, and Beating the Winter Blues are pretty good hints. The fact that nearly 100 posts here deal with struggle is a pretty strong indicator as well. Of course, if you look to the right, you will see the ultimate proof: The Man in the Pit – a book about dealing with depression.
Brains, Streaks, and Goals
There are a lot of things I have to be thankful for and I focus on them every day. At the same time there are things that sometimes feel like more than I can bear. As much as I don’t like it, my brain likes to think up terrible mistakes I’ve made and how I’ve hurt people.
Additionally, there are things I want to accomplish that seem out of my reach. I can get a lot done, using tools like streaks to be extremely productive. Sometimes, though, the goals I want to achieve seem beyond me.
Finding Help when You Need It
So how do you find help when you need it? It’s not as easy as I would like. I wish it were. The fact is, it can be a challenge.
But there are ways to make it happen. It may not be cut and dry, but here are three simple steps to finding help when you need it:
- Expect Help: Dr. Richard Wiseman performed an experiment in which people who thought they were lucky and people who thought they were unlucky were asked to count the number of pictures in a newspaper. The “unlucky” people took about 2 minutes apiece to finish the task. The “lucky” people took just a few seconds. Why? Because on the second page of the paper in a bold font it said “Stop counting. They are 43 photographs”. The people who were expecting good things found it, and those who didn’t missed it.
- Look for the Helpers: Reaching out when you need help can be a challenge. Not everyone is a good helper. Some people seem to be so wrapped up in their own stuff, they can’t see anyone else. Look for people that you know are kind, helpful, and compassionate.
- Try Something Different: If what you’re doing isn’t working, try something different. Connect with a group you haven’t connected with before. Speak to someone who you normally might be a bit shy about talking too. Go outside when you just want to stay in, even if it’s just for a minute or two.
Sometimes life is tough, but you should be finding help when you need it. It may not be easy, but it’s better than going it alone.
