Reality Is Something You Rise Above

“Reality is something you rise above"– Liza Minelli

As I began my first week of redundancy, the feeling I had on Monday morning was familiar.

I had experienced this before in a different context after a family member died who I had been caring for over several years.

I likened that feeling to a tiger in the cage with the door wide open, free and unsure of what direction to take.
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Although very different experiences, the reality is that they were both life changing events. With both, I thought I knew clearly what I would do in this situation, but the reality and the fantasy are two different things, and this is where it gets a little scary.

You see, all of a sudden, I need to be real, I need to be strategic, I need to have direction and a plan.

My thinking on Monday morning was, rise and shine and get to it. I had exercise planned, and an action plan for the day.
But mother nature had other ideas and I ended up unwell with the dreaded cold.

Thanks Mother Nature – no really … Thank you.

Thank you because this allowed a pause for me to assess where I was at, it allowed an opportunity for self-care such as rest and a bit of time for me.

My brain had become cluttered with - What next? I felt agitated and a sense of urgency to make everything happen.
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Jobs I had started applying are coming back unsuccessful, I don’t even have to open them when I see the words “on this occasion” in the first part of the email and this adds weight to how I feel. Rejection even when we expect it, challenges our thinking and our self confidence.

I remind myself that I’m not even a week in to redundancy. There is time. But there is that feeling of wanting to see a result.

Again, I remind myself that it is only early days.
The reality is that all of this takes time and within the experience there is opportunity to learn and grow. It is important for me to understand this and accept that it is going to take time.
 
So, with a wellbeing cap on, how would I look at this, what advice would I give to a friend?
 

1. Do something good for someone else, it makes you feel good. “No act of kindness is ever wasted” - Aesop
2. Seek support from friends, family, mentors. Their support reminds us that we are not alone. Make time for the people who matter.
3. Self-care – rest, eat well, hydrate. Treat your body well and it will treat you well.
4. Be mindful – With mindfulness we develop a wisdom about ourselves and this helps us to choose our response to all that is before us. All you need is a few deep breaths to be in the moment or step outside and take a moment to notice the clouds.
5. Keep learning – google a new word for the day or learn something relating to your challenge to help you understand it better.
6. Set goals – by doing this you have something to work towards (don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t reach it – look for the lesson) Share your goal with someone to keep you accountable and ask them what theirs is.
7. Bounce forward – Have that cry, be angry get it out and look for what next. Talk to someone if you need to and remember what has helped you get through tough times in the past.
8. Look for the opportunity – Try to view the glass half full rather than half empty and remember to smile (if you need a little help YouTube has plenty of funny stuff!)
9. Be you – Don’t be anyone else but you, that is what is special about you. Understand your strengths and lean in to them to make the most of every opportunity
10. Volunteer – Contribute find ways to be part of something bigger. Give blood or give your time to friends or the

These tips are based on the GREAT DREAM 10 Keys for Happier Living by Action For Happiness. Down load it and share it with someone you care about.
Wishing you Wellbeing
Leanne

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