It’s challenging to maintain a travel blog when you’re not traveling continuously. Fortunately – how cheesy it may sound – I’m still on the journey of life and I can write about that as well. Today I want to write about the ups and downs of life and how I’m learning to deal with that.
I do my best to enjoy this journey of life as much as I can, but at the same time I’ve been struggling for years with depression, self-doubt and worries about the future. Not continuously, but from time to time there are dark days that are challenging to get through. As I read a lot and watch videos about it, I learn more and become better in dealing with it. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned so far.
You create your own reality
The most important thing I’m learning is that we create our own reality. One day you can walk in the rain and be sad about it and another day you’re dancing in the rain with a smile on your face. The circumstances may be the same, but what is different? The difference is your thoughts about the situation. You decide the meaning you give to an event. When someone treats you unkindly, you have a choice to take it personal or to think that that person might not have their day and feel sorry for them. I don’t say this is easy, but what is important to understand is that you can choose to let things upset you or to stay at peace. That brings me to the second lesson.
Here is a video that helped me learning this point: We Become What We Think About Most Of The Time – Positive Thinking Motivation
You are responsible for your happiness
No one else or nothing outside yourself can truly make you happy. You might feel good for a moment when someone does something nice for you, but that’ll fleet away and will make you want more and more of it and makes your happiness dependent on outside events. When that other person or thing isn’t there, your happiness is gone and you’re feeling sad. That’s not a sustainable way to live. The only person that’s always there is you. When you decide that your happiness is not dependent on something or someone else, you’re free to feel good no matter the situation. That doesn’t mean you’ll never feel sad anymore, but it means that you are in control of how you feel. It also helps not to blame other people for how you’re feeling, because you are responsible for how you feel.
Here is a podcast that helped me learning this point: UFYB 26: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S FEELINGS
Friends and family is gold
The other day my dad called me to ask how I’m doing and we talked for a while and I could share my struggles. Even though he doesn’t have all the answers, he’s there for me when I need him. And so are my other family members. That also counts for my friends. Last week I was coming home feeling down and my neighbour opened the door when she saw me walking and offered me a cup of tea. We talked the whole night and had a great time together, sharing our lives. I felt a lot better when I went home and realised again how valuable it is to have friends that are there for you. Again, your happiness shouldn’t be dependent on other people, but we are here for each other and life is better when it’s shared. Invest in your family and friendships, it’s one of the most important things in life.
Do what you love to do
When you have a day that you’re not able to manage your thoughts and feel down anyway, it can help to realise that life is short and precious. You only have one shot, so you better make it the best life you can. Take time to think about your dreams, maybe make a bucket list. What would you love to do in life? Figure out what you want to do and then take the steps to get there. One of the things that can make you happy is progress, so work on doing what you love to do.
We’re all on this journey of life and we can choose how we want to live it. It ain’t always easy and it sure isn’t always as happy as it looks on social media, but we have to make the best of it. Once you realise that you’re the one creating your life, you’re in control of making sure it’s a good and joyful journey.
