So often when I have a bad week, I’m able to shrug it off as yet another learning experience. I normally can just dust myself off and move on, seeing things big picture usually reminds me that the minutia of life really does not matter.
This past week was such a rough one, and such a roller coaster, that I still don’t know which end is up or what to make of it. I’m happy to have my blog as a place to go to express myself, where you my readers can feel less alone in your own struggles in life, and where I find so much support from you as a community that it’s humbling.
I’ve been avoiding posting this past week because every post that would’ve come out of my head would have been depressing. However I started to get emails from you all, asking me if all is well, and I remember that this blog is exactly where I can go to get those things out, to work through those trials and tribulations. This is and always will be that safe place. My own expression of me, for better or for worse.
Many things are going on behind the scenes, new opportunities, new partnerships, it’s all very exciting. I have much to share with you in the coming weeks, but today I’m reflecting on my own shield of strength, and how it can seem so strong on the outside, yet feel so weak at the same time. Many people tell me I’m strong, but I don’t feel it most days. I feel weak and vulnerable, especially when little things or others’ opinions of me and my work bring me down and make me question myself. Even if I know I’m on my best path, being my best self, I am still human and still a very emotional person that wears my heart on my blog.
Thank you again for all your support, it means the world to me. My strength has been replenished, the cracks have been filled in with love, and the foundation is no longer crumbling. My own implosion has been held off yet again by those who lift me up, and I’m ready to keep soldiering on, one foot in front of the other.
What do you do in your lower moments to feel better? Do you share with a few select friends, blog it only, or simply keep quiet? I’d love to hear from you…
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
When it’s a tough week, I try to keep doing the basic footwork. I can feel whatever I’m feeling, yet still aim for closure and getting several goals done. Often I allow myself free creative time, knowing that ‘marination’ will provide its own rewards. Frequently my best ideas will occur when I’m doing something everyday – taking a shower, brushing my teeth or watering the plants.
Marsha Keeffer’s last blog post..Laying People Off the Right Way
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Hugs! Just remember that you have a lot of friends out here who always will be there for you.
I guess I reach out to closest friends, and that’s what I did just this week. I took a few hours off from working and just spilled it all to my best friend over a brunch. the bad thing about life in general for many people right now is (like for my best friend) that it is tough for so many of us. It’s difficult to reach out and say hey I’m having hard time here, because everyone is having hard time. We just need to support each others to step over what ever obstacles life throws us.
I got support from you this week too – and I am now filled with new energy. Hoping that I can do the same for you next time
Katja Presnal’s last blog post..Thank you Motrin for Listening
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Girl, you are one class act. I say that because you are honest, true to yourself and have walked in nothing but integrity since I’ve met you. If this is what pours out of you in the bad times, I can’t imagine the wonders you can work in the good!
I usually withdraw when people hurt me, so kudos for being so open. Thank God monday is just around the corner and hopefully we can *all* just start over again
Amber/@jerseymomma’s last blog post..Need a Good Laugh? How I Literally Peed Away $1000 Bucks
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I very often will blog about it….more times than not. My blog has become somewhere that I can go and let it all hang out. Even though most, many of my “real life friends and family” read the blog, it’s easier to “talk” about it in my writing than in person, coming out of my mouth.
And then, I don’t have to talk about it like 100 times, everyone already kinda knows the gist of what’s going on….even though quite often I don’t give all the detail on the blog.
ok, did that make sense?
designher momma’s last blog post..Did I miss something?
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Oddly enough, blogging or working on the other writing projects on my plate (newspaper column, that darned overdue book, etc) is on my short list.
Photos of the 4 month old granddaughter always help, if she’s not around to snuggle with.
And a nice long hike with the mutts. They never care how bad a week Ive had:)
Mark Riffey’s last blog post..A few exceptions for those 5 direct mail mistakes
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I think soldiering on is a great way to put it. And I also think, as a friend that has failed miserably this week, I over estimated how well I know my friends and got caught up in only what I thought was best even though I’m the poorest example. I’ve found that talking through the lows can be the most difficult process, but possibly brings you to the place with the best view, best perspective of it all. To really understand and be the friend I want to be and the one I’m needed to be.
Love,
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing’s last blog post..A Little Birdy
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It must’ve been something in the air, because I had an awful week as well. I don’t usually blog about it, but I did yesterday, simply because I felt like I had to get it out. Usually I reach out to friends and try to go out, to laugh and vent, but this week, I mainly just moped around and took bubble baths.
I really hope that next week is better for you.
Erin’s last blog post..Winner!
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I write a lot when I’m bummin’ – and not necessarily writing for public consumption, but writing for myself to marinate a bit about what I’m dealing with. I find that if I put it into words – for my eyes only – I am able to be more honest about what is on my mind, what it would take to resolve it — and then move towards achieving that point. Or not. Sometimes it’s just the spew of words that helps.
I also find that a good workout helps. Call me crazy, but sometimes taking that negative energy and making some good out of it (like doing pushups during all the commercial breaks of Grey’s Anatomy the other night) tires me out enough to wear out some of my stress.
It’s the little things.
Sometimes it just helps to know that I’m heard. And I have amazing friends who remind me often that they are there and that I am loved.
Sarah’s last blog post..Saturday Nine – Dreams
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Tough days and weeks, yeah, we’ve all been in our own version of “there.” When able, I reach out to close friends and gain solace by sharing a bit. One newer friend recently said, she didn’t want to bring us down by talking about how bad her week was, and I reminded her that it may feel like 20 lbs on her shoulders, but that when you share it with friends, it only ads a little weight to our shoulders, and we can handle that.
In the short term, during the day when friends aren’t available to lend an ear (though reaching out on twitter actually can help perk me up), but I have to get through a tough day and get the work done, I put on the CD/Tape/Playlist I’ve made for myself called A Positive Vibe – a collection of all of my favorite upbeat, positive songs (lyrics and/or music). They never fail to bring me up and out of my rut and into the light for a while.
I also create a version of this for individual friends when they are going through tough times. The only thing I ask for in return is the name of one song that I should add to my next version. For my birthday, a friend surprised me with her version of A Positive Vibes cd, made just for me – cool! And she might be making on for another friend. Passing the idea along, that made me feel good too.
The song that started me creating my A Positive Vibes CD project was Another Train, by the Poozies (5 celtic women singing a’ Capella). the refrain is “Another Train, that’s all there is. Maybe the next one is yours, get up and climb aboard…” The 1st cd went to a friend whose mom was dying of cancer, I refined it a few years later for myself as my dad was dying of cancer.
Is it okay to ask here, on your blog, what others do to help their friends who are having it rough?
@CathyWebSavvyPR’s last blog post..How to Chose a Web Savvy Brand or Domain Name
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We all have days, weeks, and sometimes months like this. Hang in there and you will soon find the sunshine again. I am thankful for a few very close friends who I can talk to about anything. Sometimes I find when I talk I am able to get things off my chest and be able to move forward. Or I can think things through as I talk and find a solution. Of course there are times when I like to just go to sleep. Sometimes just catching up on sleep or doing something in quiet solitude allows me to refresh myself. Then there are times when I like to just sit in front of my laptop and type. Type it all out and then let it go. It is great to hear from people everywhere supporting and encouraging. We all go through these down times or what I call a funk and knowing that there are people surrounding us, rooting us on is awesome. You just have to find what works best for you. I am confident that you will find once again find the rainbow just give the rain time to pass by!! Hang in there.
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{passes some cabernet}
Alli {Mrs Fussypants}’s last blog post..Free stuff and Funnies
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I think I’m still trying to figure that out. Enjoyed reading your responses. Hope you’re already off to a better week.
Love,
@
Mama’s Nest – Ashlee’s last blog post..Anew
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This is an extraordinarily powerful post that speaks to Everyman…
My very best friend in the world has an interesting technique for dealing with struggles. She thinks about her “thing” for a few minutes, then she puts the “thing” in an imaginary box and kicks the box down her imaginary stairs. The simplicity of this concept is sometimes overlooked when we are overwhelmed… but she truly believes that the power in this technique is in the realization that we do have control of our feelings. We may not have control of the situation… but our feelings are our own. Every time.
I have tried this and it does work. But now I am going to add a little disclaimer. I think it works for me better now because I am older, wiser, more experienced with my feelings… and well into menopause. Yes. I have found that with age, I am bothered by “things” far less. I recover from “things” far more quickly. I can kick the crap out of that box… and I feel pretty darn good about it. I have tried to explain this interesting technique to Audrey and Janie, and even to my daughters-in-law, but there is often SO much involved in the dilemma of the moments (like balls and balls and balls of yarn)… that the box may just not be big enough!
I hope this helps! I truly hope!
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Definitely something going around. This week was particularly awful for me too, AND IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY! So you know it’s got to be bad, then.
I soldiered through it, as you called it. And I’m trying to stay positive. I won’t get sucked under… at least I hope I won’t.
If I had close friends here, I would turn to them. However, we’re new here, and there’s no one here, and no where to go. So I turn to my husband. He’s kind of all I have here (adult-wise) to hold me and tell me it’ll be ok.
*hugs*
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting’s last blog post..Help Keep Organic Fish Organic!
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