Life happens and throws challenges our way. Sometimes, that means we start hiding in our own shadow as it's easier than coping with reality. It's comfortable there...you don't get challenged and if you fail, you can easily hide. . But there comes a moment, that you finally realise life in the shadow is miserable. You're not happy. You know you're made for more but you don't know where to start. I've been there (thankfully not for long)...and luckily I had a great support system that lent me a helping hand. But ultimately I realised that I was the only one that had the power to make this happen.
Today, I write from the other side of the shadow and I wanted to share a few tips and awareness that I gained that helped me.
1. SELF CARE - for over a decade I was in a profession as a teacher that I needed to look after others and showed them kindness. Along the way, I did forget to show myself the same. Refocus back into your self care. 2. REFLECT & REVIEW. Make a list of the things that you're currently doing and a list of things that bring you joy. Then look into your daily routine and see how you can incorporate more joy into your every day. One step at a time. 3. MOMENTUM....like the saying "appetite comes with eating"...joy comes with doing. No matter how small the steps towards getting out of the shadow are they're still one step closer to the sunshine. 4. ASK FOR HELP. You'd be surprised how many people are willing to give you a helping hand along the way. They can't hold your hand all day but they can be there for the first 5 minutes, every day. Show your vulnerable side to your loved ones. They will never judge. In fact, the opposite... they'll be grateful you trusted them to open up. Use your support system or find a new one...there's so many charities you can talk to nowadays. 6. STOP COMPARING your progress with someone else's. You only fail if you quit...not if you make mistakes along the way. Keep going even if you don't want to. It always gets better. .