I recently had occasion to sit with a friend, Dave, and he told me a strategy he is employing to successfully face his future. He told me there comes a time in life where you can decide to take an entirely new path (hopefully a path for the better). This involves transforming yourself totally. He said restarting your life, especially if you have had some really tough times, can seem almost impossible, but it is possible!
His argument was that sometimes even insurance companies declare some vehicles beyond salvage and offer the clients new vehicles. Similarly, you can come up with a brand new you, so long as you are alive.
There are things you should know that can help you create some new beginnings and make your life a little more emotionally fit in the process.
Try new things
Some changes are cosmetic and may seem petty but they hold a certain symbolism and signify a changed you and the evidence shall be seen in bigger things.
Where do you start:-
Accept yourself for who you are. This step can be very hard, but you have to try. Think of things you love about yourself and say it aloud.
Walk with your head high and shoulders up. The way you carry yourself will translate in how you feel the world is carrying you.
Smile at the world and stand with pride. Be confident! You have as much a right to be in this world as anybody else.
Do no slink around in the periphery, walk tall in the middle of the road and strive to make a difference.
Get rid of any bad and useless relationships you have.
They are your influence and if you do not ditch them, you will find yourself being dragged down to a level you are trying to get away from.
We all know people who are walking depressants, eternal pessimists or non starters. Your relationships should reflect a new you.
Ease depression
Identify a new pastime. Finding a new hobby will keep you distracted from doing unproductive things.
Try new things like swimming, biking or hiking, or even samba dancing. Look around and find something interesting and involving to do.
Style up! Wear nice clothes — be conscious of how you look. Cultivate a style and own it. There is a look that screams “I have given up!.”
There is another look that should firmly say “this person loves him/ herself.”
You obviously do not want to overdo it and look vain, but no one will begrudge you for caring about your appearance.
It will make you feel good about yourself, and once that happens others will feel good about you.
Stop bad habits like swearing, drinking and smoking.
If you do any of these things, just stop. Bad habits do not add value to your life.
Plus, if you are trying to ease depression, drinking a depressant is probably a bad idea.
Another thing is when you begin enjoying life you want life to last longer, so you want to stay healthy and fit.
Dave once told me that life can get so messed up that death no longer holds that menace.
Be kind. Let goodness flow through you — it is a natural purifier that will make you sparkle. Take kindness into action and give back.
Get out of yourself and do something for someone else.
Volunteer with some group that helps and reaches out to the under-privileged. Giving to others even when you do not have much elevates you to the privileged.
You are lifting yourself above your challenges and seeing what is ailing others and helping.
As soon as you help someone else you feel better.
Have faith and hope. Without it, you will be lost. Where there is life there is hope.
Many times people kill their dreams and allow past setbacks to dictate their attitude towards the future.
They extinguish and perceive life though a lens of negativity and gloom.
