World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2024 - Turning Our Challenges into Strengths
Life often throws challenges our way, testing our resilience, patience, and mental health. Whether it’s dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or the stress of everyday life, overcoming these obstacles can feel overwhelming. But remember, you are not alone. Every challenge you face is a step toward growth, and every small win is a testament to your strength.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you face your challenges and hopefully you find them useful:
1. Acknowledge Your Struggles
It’s okay to not be okay. The first step in overcoming any challenge is acknowledging what you’re going through. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions without judgment. You are human, and it's normal to struggle. Reaching out to friends, family, or 7 Cups can really help you.
2. Small Steps Matter
Big challenges can feel daunting, but breaking them into smaller, manageable steps makes the process more bearable. Celebrate small victories along the way - even the smallest progress is still progress. Whether it's getting out of bed, going for a short walk, or reaching out to someone, these steps count.
3. Lean on 7 Cups for Emotional Support
There is strength in connection. Joining a community of people who understand your struggles can make a huge difference. Hearing others’ stories of perseverance, offering support, or even just sharing your own experience can lighten the load. We are stronger together; you don’t have to carry your burdens alone.
4. Self-Compassion is Key
Treat yourself with kindness and patience. Often, we are our toughest critics, but healing and growth take time. Remind yourself that it’s okay to fall and pick yourself back up. Give yourself grace, and practice self-care – whether it’s visiting us at 7 Cups and hearting or creating a new post, meditation, journaling, or simply doing something that brings you joy.
5. Believe in Your Resilience
Remember, challenges are a part of life, but you have the power to overcome them. Healing is not linear, and it’s okay to take your time. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and know that by facing these challenges, you are becoming a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. We all believe in you at 7 Cups and hope you can believe in yourself too.
What is a challenge that you’ve faced recently that you’ve overcome?
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Thank you for this much needed post Lisa! It took me a while to acknowledge some of my struggles but when I reached the point that I did not see them anymore as "oversensitive stuff" I could do something and healing started.
What is a challenge that you’ve faced recently that you’ve overcome?
I came to accept a situation that I have no control over. It comes with a long sigh, but I strongly believe that life throws bad apples at us at some points in our existence but then again offers us the most beautiful fruit 😀 - nothing is perfect.
@amiablePeace77
So so insightful. Life has many ups and downs and it sounds like you are learning to trust the process which is amazing. :)
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS thanks for this thread on Mental Health Dy.
The challenge I am overcoming little by little is this anger that rises up instantaneously and I am overwhelmed by it. Afterwards I feel horrible and it takes a lot of work to get back to a peaceful state of mind.
The trick for me is to not react to catch it before the reaction kicks in. To just stop and try to break the circuit. That is a first step for me in breaking the cycle.
@soulsings
You are doing so well to manage your anger in this effective way. It takes time and self-awareness and it sounds like you are making positive changes! Thank you for sharing :)
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS thanks for yoiur encouraging words.
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Thank you for sharing this! It’s such a powerful reminder of the challenges we all face and the importance of acknowledging our struggles. I really appreciate the emphasis on small steps. Those little moments can really add up!
Your words about resilience really resonate. It’s reassuring to remember that healing isn’t a straight path and that we’re all growing in our own ways. Thank you for the encouragement!
@Phoenixthepoised I agree this a wonderful day of remembrance
@Phoenixthepoised
I am so glad this post resonated with you. Taking small steps is so important for us to not feel overwhelmed and feel that sense of achievement in the smaller things we do too. Often they are just as important as what we perceive as the bigger things in life too. Healing and recovery isn't a linear process and it takes time, we are all on our own different paths and that is okay! 🌻
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
I couldn’t agree more! Those small steps really do matter and can make us feel accomplished, even if they seem small. It’s so true that healing isn’t a straight path and we all have our own journeys to navigate. Just taking it one day at a time and being kind to ourselves is what it’s all about. Thank you🌻
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Thanks for the post! I think this is one of the best steps someone can take for themselves. 💚
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Hi Lisa! 😊 ❤️
Thank you so very much for your amazing forum post! I really needed this today! These are such great reminders....*breaths deeply* "Serenity now, serenity now" lol 😊 ❤️
Thank you for asking! "What is a challenge that you've faced recently that you've overcome"?
For me, the challenge still exists. Some things that have helped me with the challenge is the realization that I only control me and not the behavior of others. It's good to try, it's good to be kind, patient and helpful. Sometimes that's really not what another wants and so it's good to have a certain level of discernment over time.
What has helped me is to see it as a "process". You go through the steps, you do what it is that is required of you, exhibit service driven leadership and focus on the task. The focus becomes the information, not the circumlocution or insistence of another to be drawn into a highly charged emotional interaction that is mood driven and therefor incredibly transient day after day.
If I can't change the situation, I change the way in which I perceive it. Yippie! 😊 You get an opportunity to see that you have shown once again, how much patience you truly have. You release it all to the universe and wish others well as you know it's "not a me problem", "it's not a 7 cups problem" its a "them problem". Standing strong in the face of adversity, to me, is what one of our core values *grit* is about.
One can still be kind and know that everyone learns and grows at a different rate. One can wish them well and also mitigate circumstances as best one can and understanding what boundaries mean and to not be afraid to enact them. If nothing else it challenges you. You did what you should have. You found another way to show patience and test your limits. You went through that process and though it was difficult, it only enables you more to help others here on their path if they end up experiencing the same kind of thing.
It's been a good challenge for me to show that I care about me too! 😊 ❤️ I belong here just as much as anyone else! If I focus on the negative behavior of just one person, it detracts from me helping all of us.
It seems to be the reasoning of when you are traveling in an airplane. The air mask drops down, put it on yourself first and only then are you in a much better position to be of help to everyone else around you.
Lisa, thank you again for this fantastic forum post as well as for everything that you do for all of us here across the platform. I am most grateful! ❤️
*high fives* 😊 and *hugs* ❤️
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Hi Lisa. A challenge for me is that I have been delaying the work at hand, but this week I made up my mind to get them done, because I know avoid doing the work wont' help. I feel much better now as I am progressing on it.
@Wallis
This is such excellent progress :) Sometimes just talking one small step in the right direction can be very helpful.
