After having a pretty rough and grueling week, lack of sleep, and self-imposed willingness to overwork myself, I finally hit a breaking point.
I hit my limit when something which normally wouldn’t bother DID actually get to me. I could no longer keep my compsure and I broke down.
I was lucky enough to not have to go very far or try very hard to get some great advice. What I really appreciated throughout this extra and particularly stressful week were the useful golden bits of advice I was given from the people around me.
And I didn’t receive the cringey #livingmybestlife advice. Not at all, but I received straight-up, plain ‘ol real-talk, matter-of-fact, things-aren’t-always-great kind of advice.
The following are bits of conservation I have had throughout the week; 5 quotes from 5 people who shone the light at the end of a seemingly long and dark tunnel of life’s daily stressors.
1. “Take care of yourself first.”
I asked the question “Are you happy?” to one of the my coworkers at work as we rode the elevator down to the lobby: “not everyday is great. There are good days and there are not so good days. But take care of yourself first and happiness will follow. For example, working out usually makes me feel good. I like to exercise. But take care of yourself, and take care of your family and the rest will follow.”
2. “Happiness is relative.”
Another bit of advice from a second coworker:
“Happiness is relative. It’s what you make of it. You can be a millionaire or living in a shack, it doesn’t matter!
I tell my kids: look at the rest of the world , we have food and we have warm shelter. You could be hungry and starving and out in the cold. Things could be worse so stop complaining.”
3. “Tomorrow is a new day.”
Advice from a good friend:
“We all have our rough days, today was just yours. Tomorrow will be better. ”
4. “Be glad you’re not that person.”
“When someone is being a jerk, it is a reflection of them and not you. It’s most likely an insecurity within themselves that makes them feel it’s okay to belittle others only to feel more superior and to feel better about themselves. Be glad you’re not that person. When I come across someone who is really mean, I actually end up feeling better knowing I’m not them. I am thankful for the reminder.”
5. “I am only human”
A loved one of mine vented her feelings about her work day:
“My self-esteem is so low right now and I know I am damn good at my job. I know I try and give my best. I feel so guilty sometimes when I can’t but I can’t help that I am a person, I am only human. A person can only take so much and I have feelings too.”
Work pressures, relationship stressors, or battling our own ego, we all come across the same issues at one point in our lives.
Apparently I thought I was the only one having a bad week, but after hearing from the people around me, I got out of my own thoughts. I got to hear how the people around me viewed life in its hard times and it made me realize I wasn’t in it alone.
Seek advice from the people around you and learn from those who came before you because they’ve probably been there and experienced many of life’s ups and downs. Realize that in the end, the difficulties you encounter are but fleeting moments. A few specs of dust on the canvas pale in comparison to the masterpiece that is your life. 🎨
Thank you to those above who took the time to stop and chat for a minute through all the chaos. And thank you for your honest and helpful advice.
