ROCK thru when life feels like a climb | Connection to others
by Lee Havenga | May 11, 2023
When life feels like a climb, sometimes there’s only one thing that gives us the relief we need — a connection with another human being. Sharing our struggles with the right person can be the difference between healing and continued suffering. Read on for four actionable ways to make a Connection during challenging times.
CONNECTION
The beauty of human connection during times of despair is that it can turn our wounds into wisdom, our pain into purpose, and our darkness into light.
Apply it
When you’re overwhelmed and downtrodden, connect to yourself with these simple techniques and lighten your emotional weight, making challenges a little easier.
1. Choose wisely
Imagine you are experiencing intense emotions and urgently need to talk to someone. You have two friends in mind: one available now but tends to make you uneasy, and the other not free for hours but often makes you happy. In such times, avoid impulsively reaching out to the available friend. Although venting may bring immediate relief, it could exacerbate the traits that typically frustrate you, leading to more complex emotions. Instead, it’s better to wait for the friend who can genuinely offer you the support you need.
2. Avoid low EQ
Emotional intelligence (or emotional quotient or EQ) is understanding, using, and managing your emotions positively. Despite their good intentions, someone with low EQ may not have the necessary skills to assist you. Some characteristics to watch out for include:
poor listening skills
interrupting when you speak
interjecting with details from their own experience
jumping to solutions
having intense emotional reactions
Looking to expand your own EQ? Click here for an Emotional Intelligence Toolkit
3. Recognize when to seek professional guidance
If you find yourself regularly depending on a single individual for support, it may be worth considering seeking assistance from a licensed therapist. While your friend or family member may have a strong desire to assist you, they may not have the necessary skills or feel emotionally overwhelmed by your distress. This doesn’t mean you’re asking for too much; they may not be adequately equipped to provide the support and tools you need.
4. 988
Experiencing emotional anguish can be a complicated and overwhelming experience, but it’s essential to know that you’re not alone and help is available. One way to access immediate help is by calling, texting, or chatting using the number 988, which connects you with a trained professional who can provide support and guidance. Seeking help doesn’t mean you have to be in crisis or suicidal. No matter what you’re going through, reaching out for help is a brave and vital step toward the healing you need.
Remember that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Whenever you feel like you can’t take another step, reach out to someone you trust to lighten your emotional load. Together, we can ROCK thru life’s climbs and overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Keep climbing, keep striving, and know that you are never alone.
~ XO, Lee
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