I have been gone for several weeks. Not because I have wanted to be, but because life dictated a change. Over the summer our family had to deal with a lot of different stressors. Some would say they were learning or growing experiences. No, they are were hard, difficult, and all around sucky.
So what do you say to someone that is dealing with all the yuckiness in the world that hits them all at once? Most don't know what to say because they don't want to sound insensitive or be a jerk. From someone that has had to deal with all of this, I say just tell someone that they care and will be there if you need it. Most of the time that is all a person needs.
When you get back to the world of the normal, how do you deal with all the changes that have occurred? No one wants to be labeled the drama case that everyone has to support lest they drop at a moment's notice. After going through everything, I have a few suggestions.
Take Time To Breathe
Give yourself breaks throughout the day to help reorient yourself to the schedule. There will be moments that bring back the bad memories or events and you need the time to get through them.
It's Okay To Say You Are Not Okay
If you are having a difficult time, it's alright to tell someone that you are having troubles and need to talk. There is nothing worse than seeing someone in obvious pain but have them say, "I'm fine, I'm okay, nothing to worry about." Because you know they aren't.
Laugh Your Butt Off
Laughter is the best medicine. It shows the world that you have a sense of humor. Even horrible things that happen to you have lighter moments in between and those are what you have to hang on to when it takes a turn for the worse. Some may find you are acting like a lunatic but that in itself could mean that you are on the road to something better.
Therapy, The Talking Medicine
Therapy still has a bit of a stigma, especially in some parts of the working world where it's seen as a weakness. If you have the courage to speak with someone about your issues, it means that you are taking the steps needed to solving the problem and moving on. Because who wants someone that keeps lamenting about things 10 years after they have happened? It isn't healthy for anyone and causes more stress than it needs.
So if you are coming off huge, stressful, awful things that are horrible to think about or handle, remember that are people out there that can help. And after that, you can set yourself up for success by writing down the things that you want to accomplish. Having something to look forward to is way better than regretting everything that has happened in the past.
