Today’s fun topic of the day!
Sometimes I think hitting rock bottom has a secret superpower. It helps you do two very enlightening (and slightly ridiculous) things:
- 1.) Discover exciting new levels beneath rock bottom, because hey – what’s life without an unexpected detour through the Earth’s core? 🙂
- 2.) Keep poking at the Universe, looking for what actually works for you… in this upgraded, evolved version of yourself that now includes emotional dents and a helmet with wings.
Now, when I look at the challenges other people face, I do get it – mine aren’t the absolute worst in the grand cosmic chaos of everything… at least, not on the surface.
But underneath that surface?
But here’s something I figured out a few years back (probably over a very strong cup of coffee): It’s sooooo easy to feel invincible in your work when you don’t also have:
-
A body that’s decided to go full shooshilate mode
-
A brain that’s not exactly throwing a party about that smooshed body
-
That gnawing little voice whispering “You’re all alone,” even when you KNOW you’re totally not!
But you can forgive yourself for feeling that way because sometimes you do try to reach out (most unwisely) to the *wrong person*. My gosh, I was the Poster Girl for those kinds of mistakes… I remember begging someone (that I had always assisted) for help and yep.
‘That kind of stupid action is a *great* way to reaaaaally feel even more alone in the world.
You take that brave step… and BOOM.
Someone shrugs you off like you stubbed your toe on a couch leg. “Shake it off!” they say. Yeah? How about I shake you, Bob, right on top of that mountain edge, and then *by mistake* of course, let go at the most optimal (unoptimal?) time?
Stuff like that?
We’re talking a massive flobyetoeacion of your emotional strength. And yep that’s why even now, I rarely open up emotionally unless it’s to my microscopic inner circle – some folks in marketing, some who de-escalate chaos like emotional ninjas, and others friends (real life and NOT in real life) who have always but always been there for me.
But y’know? That’s me.
And if it ever was truly life or death? Oh trust me – I’d summon enough Classic Loki chaos energy to blow the obstacle to Oz.
Still… it’s easy to say “bounce back!” when bouncing used to be your Olympic sport (I was the gold medalist between 2011 and 2019, just sayin’).
But when life decides to uppercut you with last week’s surprise plot twist? Whew. You don’t bounce. Until you reach rock bottom when you kinda sorta… splat instead.
Being upbeat in those moments? Yep – feels about as possible as riding a unicycle through molasses. But here’s the thing…
You still do it.
Not because the Universe cares (spoiler: it doesn’t), but because you do. Or at least, deep down, some caffeine-powered version of you does.
That’s actually one reason I stopped being so transparent online for a while. I thought… maybe folks would feel worse hearing this stuff. Maybe my smoosh would smoosh them too.
But wouldn’t you know it – people started pinging me. “YES,” they said. “Keep sharing. Because if you made it through, maybe I can too!”
I live for that kind of stuff.
So… back to sharing I go!
Make no mistake. I still have down-and-out moments. But I’ll keep showing up. Even if all I can do is a teeny-tiny flick of a pinky finger, I’ll do it. Because something > nothing. Always.
Your takeaway?
Whenever possible, be gentle with yourself!
If someone’s throwing shade at your healing process? That’s their unpaid therapy talking, not you. And if you’re feeling pressured? That’s just you giving away rent-free space in your precious brain real estate.
Never but never ever ever, ever do that.
The main thing I’ve realized is that the teeny-tiny space between outside provocation and you choosing your next move: it is fleeting indeed! Train yourself to take those few nanaseconds and react mindfully. Never give people rent-free space in *your* mind.
Train it. Use it. Own it. Make money from it!
I mean hey, why not? You’ve endured it – going forward, it should benefit you as well. 🙂
Enjoy!
Coffee? ☕
