When You Hit Rock Bottom, Quit Digging
How many times have you said, “I’m over it, I can’t do this anymore?” I said it again and again. Until I finally ended up having an emotional breakdown and landed in the hospital. Why? I meant it when I said I really didn’t want to live like that anymore, but I never did anything to change it. If you’re feeling the same way, and you don’t want to wake up a year from now in the same situation you are now, it’s time to do something about it.
I Don’t Want to Live Like This Anymore
Why do I say this time? Like me, you probably really don’t want to live like that anymore. However, as someone once told me, “wishin’ and wantin’, won’t make it so.” Wanting things to change will not change them. Ask anyone who has ever tried to lose weight, stop giving in to an addiction, or attempted to win a gold medal, how difficult change can be.
So, the question is, are you really over it? Do you really want to stop living the way you are now? Have you really hit rock bottom, because change is never easy. It takes hard work and sacrifice, but, it can be done.
Burn Your Bridges
Before anything else can happen, you must give up your past. In military terms, you must burn the bridge behind you. This not only prevents the enemy from following you, it also cuts off any way of going back. Your only option is forward, into new territory. Yes, this means giving up any habits, and/or relationships, which may keep you connected to the past. Find out how the PIRA process can help.
Commit to Do Whatever It Takes
In a marriage covenant, participants agree to do whatever it takes, through whatever circumstances arise, “until death do us part.” That’s the kind of commitment it will take to see change. A commitment that no matter what situation you face or how hard it is, you will push through and do whatever you must to succeed.
Take One Step (or One Breath) at a Time
There are many steps to transforming your current life into the life you desire. You can’t take them all at once. In Alcoholics Anonymous, there are 12 steps which are taken one at a time. When attempting to become a gold medalist, you must master the mechanics of the breast stroke before you can swim a lap or compete in a race. Life transformation is the same. Identify one small habit to change, then master that habit change before moving on to the next.
Never Give Up or Lose Faith
Each small habit change will take time and effort. It is a slow process. You will be tempted to give up. Don’t! Your old life will seem so much easier. That’s why you have to burn your bridges. You have to keep moving forward. You will be tempted to lose faith. Don’t do that either! Change is possible. Trust God to give you the strength you need.
Time to decide
Do you want to find yourself in the same condition you are right now in a year, or do you want to look back celebrating how much you’ve accomplished? According to Jim Rohn, you have two choices – “Suffer the pain of discipline, or suffer the pain of regret.” I have learned discipline is definitely difficult, but it is temporary. Regret is forever.
So, when you find yourself at the bottom of a deep, dark pit, and feel like you can’t do this anymore – quit digging, and throw out the shovel. Only then can you start climbing up, and out, to freedom.
Ready for change?
Join me in a Journey to Joy Accountability Group on Facebook. Life is always easier when shared with others who understand. We all can use a little more joy. Let’s find it together!
Need help implementing these self-care strategies in your own life? Check out my Joy Journal. It’s a combination planner/journal to help support attempts to manage your emotions and make positive habit changes.
Need more inspiration and encouragement? Join me on Facebook on the Sadness to Joy page. That’s where you’ll find the daily encouragement and accountability you need to help bring your plan into existence.
