We all know sometimes we have to brave the barren regarding life circumstances. We all go through troubling times externally. But what about braving the barren internally? More specifically, when it comes to your mental health. The topic of mental health is out there today; many people are talking about it, which I think is great. However, I think that sometimes there are many misconceptions about mental health.
And one of these misconceptions is the idea that “my mental health defines me.” So, what happens is that maybe you have a depression or anxiety diagnosis, but you use that as a label to describe yourself and who you are. But you are not your diagnosis. In pop culture, it becomes very easy to let your diagnosis label or define you.
That’s why I want to offer a few simple strategies that can help you overcome that limiting diagnosis.
1. Look Inside
You have an unbelievable amount of strength and resourcefulness. You have come this far and have already accomplished a tremendous amount in your life. That’s why it’s so important to look inside when you feel like you’re in a barren place with your mental health. So often, we get caught in the trap of feeling like we’re in a place of lack.
However, if you just stopped and realized that you have so much potential within you, you’d come to grips with the fact that you are a powerhouse in this life.
2. Look Outside
You have to look at all the resources you have available externally. And I’m not so much talking about people (although other people can be included), I’m more so referring to other supports that may be there. It might be a little discouraging if all you’re doing is looking inside. You may feel like you’re not enough to accomplish your goals.
However, that can all change very quickly if you start looking at the resources you have outside. You have podcasts, audiobooks, apps, websites, blogs, etc. There is an unbelievable number of resources you can use to instantly shift your life in a more positive direction.
This is a rich age to be alive! I’ll tell you what: If you had bad mental health a thousand years ago, that would have been a tough place to be because there were no resources available to help with those kinds of issues back then. But now, as long as you have an internet connection, you can tap into an unbelievable amount of free resources.
3. Look Behind
This is so important; it’s critical to look behind at your past victories and triumphs you’ve had. And the strength you’ve gained as a result of those wins. That’s why I believe it’s so important to sit down from time to time and review all of the things you’ve already accomplished. This will give you the confidence you need to keep moving forward in your life, regardless of your current circumstances.
4. Look Ahead
Sometimes, our mental fitness is really low because we’re not looking ahead to the goal that’s in front of us. You have to focus on your purpose and the destination you want to go. And if I could just encourage your heart today. I’ll tell you what: the future is bright for you. So, what’s on your vision board? What’s on your mind for the future you want to create in your life?
5. Look Around
When I say look around, I’m referring to the people in your life who want to support you. All of us have individuals in our lives who have a heart to support us. It’s important to never burn a bridge. This is especially true with those people who can help you the most to build a bridge with people who can help you the least.
Here’s the thing… It’s very easy to surround yourself with people who make you comfortable—people who never challenge you, get up in your grille or call you higher. If you are that person and then someone comes around in your life and challenges you to be better, you’ll often be offended by that. You could take their challenge of calling you higher as an insult.
I’ve had many relationships like that. And if I can be honest, I’m so grateful for the people who have called me higher, but the truth is I had to allow them to call me higher. It was a two-way relationship.
6. Look Up
I don’t know where you stand on this, but I believe in a God who has your best interest at heart. Now, if it works for you, you can call that a higher power or the universe; you can call it many different things. For me, I call it Jesus Christ. And I know from personal experience that He completely changed my life. My point here is not to “sell you” on that. My point is to say that overcoming your most pressing challenges is often the result of tapping into a higher power.
I wonder who the higher power is in your life. I hope you’re not your own higher power because if you are, I’m just going to be blunt, that really sucks.
I tell you what: I couldn’t be my own higher power. I need something transcendent that will call and pull me to a higher place. And what’s crazy to me is that I’m a scientific research person; I’m a person who’s all about “Show me the evidence.” But in spite of our entire society becoming more scientific, we’ve gotten more and more disconnected and divided.
And I think you could draw a direct line. Why? Because when you get rid of your higher power, you also make yourself that higher power. With that being the case, it’s no wonder why so many people’s mental health is in the gutter.
So, at least for me, when I’ve been braving barren mental health, one of the things that keeps me going is looking up to Him and allowing my relationship with the divine to pull me through.
I hope that you’ll find something like that in your own life.
7. Stop Looking
I’m not a Buddhist, but I will describe myself as a very big fan of their philosophy. The idea of non-attachment really resonates with me—there’s something powerful to be said about contentment. So often, we stress ourselves out unnecessarily by looking out at all the things that we don’t have. We’re comparing and measuring ourselves against this person or that person.
And because we’re constantly comparing ourselves to everyone else, we forget (or completely ignore) all that’s amazing about us. Can I just encourage you today? You can stop looking because you’re already incredible and awesome.
And if you can start seeing yourself that way, the endless cravings and longings will cease. And it’s important to get to that point because those cravings and longings can lead to some dark places. You’re most vulnerable when you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. HALT. That’s a great acronym to remember.
Those are all about looking. When I’m hungry, I’m looking for something to nourish my soul. When I’m angry, I’m looking for someone to get back at. When I’m lonely, I’m looking for someone to complete me. And when I’m tired, I’m looking for something to rejuvenate me.
But sometimes what you gotta do is stop looking. Because when you stop looking, you can start being.
Final Thoughts
I hope this has been helpful for you. If you need additional assistance or simply have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We are an expert team of coaches and facilitators who can help you with everything from creativity and entrepreneurship to mental health and trauma recovery. So, if you’re ready to start flourishing, contact us today to learn more.
About the Author
Abe Brown, MBA, CMCT, CPHSA is the Coach’s Coach, and is an Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, and High-Performance Leadership Coach. He is the founder of Certified Flourishing Coaching™ and Flourishing Workplace. Abe is also the author of the Certified Flourishing Coaching™ Programs.