How to Bounce Back from Life Challenges

Tips on how to start to recover from life set-backs and challenges.

The past two years have been a big challenge for you. You have experienced a big disruption to

your work and personal lives. You may have lost your job, a family member, or your way of life.

We all go through rough patches in our lives. You might be struggling to get your life back

together. How can you do to get back to normal? What you need to bounce back from these

challenges is something that we call resilience.

You can increase your resilience by starting with small steps and build on each step. The areas

you should focus on start with the three Ps: Purpose, Possibilities, and People. There are

methods that can help us overcome setbacks, disappointments, and hardships. Let’s help you

get back on track on your recovery by following the three Ps, Purpose, Possibilities, and People.

Purpose

Set a new goal and direction. After a challenging event, you might feel lost or empty. Take

some time to think about what is important to you and, and set achievable goals. Remember to

make SMART goals so you can achieve it. (Need some help?)

Make it meaningful for you. This is where you assess the value of the goal for you. Will it

benefit your community, friends, and family? Most importantly, how will you feel when you

accomplish this goal? Here are some examples to help you find meaningful goals. For example,

you might help your community or a cause you care about by volunteering. Concentrate on a

project or hobby you want to excel at. If personal relationships are important to you, take steps

to make them stronger. Take the time to visit with friends, or share stories from your life with

loved ones. The list is endless and personal to your wants and needs.

Possibilities

Focus on the good in your life. Even in hard times, try to stay positive as you can. A popular

idiom states that every cloud has a silver lining. While not everything can be positive, try to see

what good that challenge brought into your life. Practice thankfulness every day. Reflect on the

upsides in your life- even small things, like smiles with strangers or children playing Make a

gratitude jar to keep track of the good things in your life.

Look forward and move forward. Make a list of things to look forward to. Then come up with a

plan to make them happen. When you make that plan, do it! Do not let it pass or make excuses.

Find someone to keep you accountable. (Cannot stay on track? Reach out for a session.)

Accept what you can’t change. Become aware of things you can’t control and let them go. You

cannot go back to the past and fix things. Do not spend hours mulling over what ifs and what I

should have done. Try to forgive others and yourself for past actions. Instead, focus on the

things you can change, such as reaching out and wishing others peace, as it may give you a

greater sense of control.

“Resilience is knowing that you are the only one that has the power and the responsibility to pick yourself up.” – Mary Holloway

People

Reconnect with others. Spend more time with people who make you feel loved and supported

and less with others who undermines you. Try connecting with others through phone calls or

text messages. Create get togethers or activities that you use to do with your love ones. Do not

isolate yourself or wait for others to reach out to you. Make that first move.

Reach out and meet new people. Sign up for a class or introduce yourself to someone new at

work. Trying something new can give you a sense of renewal and exciting that was missing from

your life. After the activity, notice how you feel and build on it.

Don’t forget about yourself. Spend at least a few minutes every day doing things that bring you

joy. Make time to work on a hobby, taking a walk or watch a favorite movie. Do your best to eat

healthy foods, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. The key is to prioritize things that

bolster your mood and lower your tension.

Give it a try, start small and grow!

Have some questions and need that extra push? Try out a coaching session with Mind Your Words

and let us help you move forward. Click here.

Source: AARP, Strive Newsletter, Spring 2022