StruggleManagement
July 6, 2015 | by Masumi Goldman
Struggle Management

I have been very public about my own wellness journey and the struggles that I have encountered along the way. I’ve posted articles about my diet, my meditation practice, my first experience with acupuncture, and all sorts of other topics that relate to my health. I’ve even posted a bunch of tips to consider after being diagnosed with an illness. What I haven’t done is discuss how I’ve dealt with the emotional toll of being diagnosed with a medical condition. It’s a disconcerting and frightening time, especially at the beginning. Even the most level-headed person can fall into the trap of imagining worst case scenarios and horrific outcomes. It’s not a good place to be. It is far better to be in a place of hope and positivity, and that is the goal—to make your way to an emotionally comfortable place following a medical diagnosis or any kind of life struggle.StruggleManagement

Your struggle may not be an illness— Maybe you’ve lost your job, or maybe you work three jobs as a single parent to make ends meet. Maybe you’re caring for a sick relative, or maybe you’re overwhelmed at work or stuck in a job that you dislike. Whatever your struggle is, I’m confident that you can manage your way through the muck and live a fulfilling life that feels purposeful and worthwhile.

Here are my top tips for helping you navigate the choppy waters. This is how I’ve dealt with all of the major struggles that I’ve faced in life, and I hope you can find inspiration here to continue moving forward.

 

  1. Determine what good can arise from the situation. This is a tough one, but I believe it’s a necessary step in overcoming any challenging circumstance. You might have been dealt a terrible hand, but you need to play it. Your situation may be painful and seem insurmountable right now. It might be difficult to imagine anything good coming out of the struggle, but try to make a list. Can there be any purpose in the pain? Will this struggle help you prioritize what is truly important in life? Will you live each day with more clarity and purpose because you are being faced with this struggle? Will you be able to advocate for others with a strong voice as a result of facing this situation yourself? Will your struggle force you to slow down and find beauty in simple everyday acts? Will you overhaul destructive habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle as a result of your struggle? Will you help your family become stronger as a result of them witnessing your strength during this trying time? Make a list, and see that goodness can flow right out of a not-so-good situation.

 

  1. Maintain a positive attitude. This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip. You must change your thinking. Once you can find purpose in your struggle, or at least something positive that might arise as a result of your struggle, it becomes easier to stay upbeat. Yes, you need to mourn whatever it is that you’ve lost (your good health, a family member, your life savings, your job, etc), but you can’t stay in a deep dark place forever. You have a choice to send positive energy or negative energy out into the world, and I know that you can keep it positive. Remind yourself often that you are strong and capable. Remind yourself that the mind is a powerful tool. You can convince yourself that you are too tired and too weak to overcome your circumstance or you can create a positive environment and talk yourself right into a better mindset where you feel empowered. The choice is yours, and it is up to you to make the right choice.

 

  1. Take control of your health. There is so much that we cannot control about our health, but fortunately, there is a tremendous amount that we can control. Don’t allow a medical diagnosis to crush your spirit. Don’t give up on your body. Do some research and get inspired by natural remedies and foods that can help you feel better. Regardless of the nature of your current life struggle, you can change your diet, implement a daily exercise program, and begin a regular meditation practice to lower stress levels. You can reduce systemic inflammation, boost your immune system, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve the quality of your skin, and generally feel much better than you’d otherwise feel if you gave no thought to your health habits. Get on the wellness bandwagon. You won’t regret it.

 

  1. Help someone else. When you hit rock bottom, it’s hard to think about helping someone else. After all, how can you help someone else if you can barely figure out how to help yourself? I understand, and I get it. But I also know that the tendency during a personal struggle is to focus on me, me, me. Yes, it’s warranted, but it’s also healthy to focus on something else that is worthwhile, and something that will also give you a greater perspective on life. Maybe you won’t have the time to volunteer at the local shelter or organize a fundraiser, and that’s ok… but you’re not off the hook. Figure out another way to be of service to someone else. This may be as simple as joining a support group and sharing your experience with someone else going through the same struggle. Sharing your experience and providing your own unique perspective can be inspiring and helpful to someone else.

 

  1. Sleep. What can I say? I didn’t believe it for a long time, but a good night of sleep can do a lot to transform your state of mind. Feeling blue? Exhausted? Too overwhelmed to even call a friend? Go to bed, and make sure to get plenty of rest. Healing on many levels occurs overnight. It will all seem a bit more manageable in the morning.

 

 

10 Comments
  • Your article could not have come at a better time. I m struggling a lot emotionally, and I don’t know how to handle everything. it is 1am in France, and I will sleep better thanks to your article. Love, and thank you for sharing this today ❤

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    • Masumi Goldman

      Thanks for reading, and I’m so happy that the article is helping you. Get to bed, and reassess in the morning once you’ve had some rest. Hang in there.

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  • Domany Davilmar

    Masumi, thank you. I am reading this while actually feeling completely overwhelmed. I am going to pray that I can cause these practices to manifest in my daily life quickly as I endure my personal struggle. Thank you so much for sharing!

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    • Masumi Goldman

      Thanks so much for reading. You can get through it— one day at a time, one thought at a time.

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  • Thank you for writing this. You are truly an inspiration. I struggle with a few issues. Even though they are small alone, they compile what feels like a mountain. I need to change my attitude first. Thank you for the suggestions in this article. I will be adapting them into my life starting now right now.

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    • Masumi Goldman

      Just take it one step at a time, and you will get through everything you need to tackle. Thanks for reading, and good luck implementing the changes!

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  • You are truly an inspiration to me. Thank you for always being open and sharing your journey. Your words do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. I have taken these tips to heart, and The first tip will be the hardest. After years of fertility treatments and a miscarriage my body is failing to do what is supposed to come natural. I have multiple issues that prevent this, I exercise and eat healthy and also use essential oils. Step 1 is what I struggle with. I can stay positive but without having a long term plan to stay that way I can easily get lost. Thank you!

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    • Masumi Goldman

      Thanks for sharing your experience. You are not alone. I have not had the experience of undergoing fertility treatments, but I did have the experience of having multiple miscarriages. What is amazing is that you are taking good care of your health and being mindful of your body—probably more so now than before. Don’t focus on what your body is struggling to do. Instead, focus on all that your body CAN do, because I know it can do plenty, and you have a lot to offer the world. Stay positive, and keep moving forward.

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  • Thanks Masumi,
    I follow you on instagram too, I am from Barcelona in Spain. Your writtings are always inspiring, but this one help me to think in a different way after having to say goodbye two important and loving persons in my life. Sometimes it’s hard to think in what good can arise, and I just feel peaceful feeling that we must let life be, respecting that death is also a part of us.
    Thanks again!

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    • Masumi Goldman

      Saying goodbye is always hard, and I don’t think you necessarily have to find anything good about the actual death of a loved one. What you CAN do is find goodness in the fact that as a result of this experience, you will not take life for granted and appreciate life even more than you did before.

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