You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
-Mae West
I find that sometimes it’s really easy for me to live in reality and be happy and content with my everyday life. However, when times are hard, I can sometimes move to living in “la la land.” It’s a space where I yearn for what could be versus living in my actual life and what actually is. Sometimes it’s that space in between where I’m living in hope. Hope that things will change. Hope that things will improve. Hope that people will be different than who they actually are.
These are coping strategies, and when used with intention, they can be very helpful. But often, we’re living life from a place of reaction, which isn’t so helpful. So, what do you think? Is any of this relatable?
Here’s what’s to come in this blog: what living in reality may look like, what living only in hope may look like, and finally self-care for when you’re in “survival mode.”
What living in reality may look like:
- Working on yourself
- Deep conversations
- Being present-focused
- Exploring difficult topics
- Healing from the inside out
- Being centered and grounded
- Loving people for who they are
- Thriving and having a good flow to your day
- Seeing clearly what’s right in from of you
- Feeling your feelings and letting yourself grieve
What else would you add to this list?
Living only in hope may look like:
- A coping strategy to get through living in “survival mode”
- Wearing rose colored glasses
- Wanting others to change
- Surfacy conversations with others
- Being future-focused
- Not looking inward
- Safe topics only
- Conditional love
- Silver-lining life
- Toxic positivity
What else would you add here?
Self-care for when you’re in “survival mode”:
- Go to therapy
- Make time to rest and recharge
- Got a local support group (or find one online)
- Connect with friends and family in person
- Drink a warm drink
- Go outside and soak up the beauty all around you
- Spend time with your beloved pets
- Talk with friends and family on the phone
- Snuggle under a cozy blanket
- Exercise, do gentle stretched, move your body
What other types of self-care help you move from “survival mode” to thriving in your life?
If you struggling right now, know that you’re not alone. Many of us are struggling for various reasons today. If you could use more help and support, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist in your area (if you don’t already have one). I’m sending lots of love and compassion your way!
