Finding Solace in a Season of Struggle

Happy Saturday all! I hope that you had the most fulfilling and prosperous week. This week in my Saturday Series I wanted to touch on three ways to find fulfillment and solace in a season of struggle. 

Unfortunately, the holiday season is a time when many people struggle due to familial issues, interpersonal struggles, or financial burden. While it is so easy to be pulled into a deep state of struggle or negativity I wanted to provide some helpful tips to aim to keep some positivity in your life ahead of the full swing of the holiday season.

1. Start each morning with a gratitude list. 

 I think that it is SO important to put pen to paper to have certain things either come to fruition or believe certain things. If you already have a busy morning routine, I would challenge you to create a list on your phone that lists 3 major things that you are grateful for each morning. I advise that you keep one note on your phone for the entirety of your list so that each morning you can look at the following day’s list and be reminded of the beauty and blessings that are present in your life. If you have a slower morning routine, I would suggest finding a very cute notebook that you want to keep on your nightstand or somewhere else that is readily visible. Before you look at your social media or emails go ahead and write down at least 3 things that you’re appreciative of/grateful for. Similarly to keeping a note in your phone, try to fill up all of the pages over time so that in the end you have full notebooks of positivity and uplifting memories that you can look back on during particularly difficult times.

2. Focus on your current.  

This is much easier said than done, I know! I easily get caught up in the past of myself and my loved ones, as well as frustration with the future and not knowing exactly how it is going to play out. If this sounds like you as well, I would highly recommend that you train your mind to appreciate the things that you have currently in your life. Focus on the tasks at hand, and the moments that are in the very near future that you can prepare for. This, by no means, is to say that you cannot study for an exam that you may need to take in a few weeks/months or plan for a large event that is in your future, but it does mean that there are miraculous moments in each day that will pass you by if you do not stay present even amidst planning or preparing for moments that are farther in the future.

3. Detach from social media. 

This, for me, is the MOST important of the three. I get caught up in the people that I may not want to see, moments that I may not want to remember or think about, and the unfortunate cycle of comparing myself and my life to others (usually complete strangers). If you are able to, I highly recommend taking a full social media break for as long as you see fit. When I took my first social media break many years ago, it was initially for 1 week but ended up being closer to a month. I have not taken a full break lately, but I have set a very strict screen time limit on my social media apps. Even to go as far as having my man set the code so that I cannot grant myself more time, especially in my own season of struggle. I STRONGLY encourage you to take a full break from social media, if you can. But if you cannot, then I would advise that you do something similar to me and set some rigorous “screen time” limits so that you are able to focus on YOUR present and YOUR blessings without a cluttered mind. 

Please know that if you are struggling currently, I am here for you. I am always an email or Instagram message away! I hope that these tips give you some peace and solace in today’s otherwise hectic and fast-paced world.