There’s something we don’t talk about enough: hard times don’t last forever—but they do show up. And when they do, they can feel never-ending.
What breaks my heart is how many people give up during those hard chapters. Right before the tide turns. Right before the breakthrough. They never make it to the good part—not because they weren’t strong enough, but because they didn’t have the tools or the support to hold on.
I’ve been there. More than once.
And here’s what I’ve learned: the key isn’t to avoid the hard. It’s to walk through it with grit—and a really strong why.
Angela Duckworth defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” It’s not just working hard. It’s working hard consistently toward something that deeply matters to you, even when it feels like the world is pushing back.
For me, my why is what gets me through all the messy, unclear, uphill parts of life and business. I always say:
Your why has to be strong enough to get you through all the hows.
But grit alone isn’t enough. You need tools to stay grounded while the storm passes. These are the ones that have saved me:
1. Gratitude Practice
Even when it feels like everything is going wrong, I make myself find one thing to be thankful for. Just one. Gratitude pulls me out of panic and helps me shift from why me to what now?
2. The Power of Scent
I turn to scent as an anchor. Whether it’s lighting a candle, spritzing my sheets, or taking a moment to breathe in something calming, scent resets my nervous system. It’s a signal to my body that I’m safe—even if life feels anything but.
3. Meditation
I don’t always do it perfectly. Sometimes it’s 10 deep breaths at a stoplight. But even a few quiet moments can give me the space to think clearly, feel what I’m feeling, and not let it run the show.
4. Movement
A walk, a stretch, a dance break in my kitchen—moving my body helps move the emotion. It reconnects me to myself when I feel overwhelmed or stuck.
These tools don’t erase the hard. They help me stay in it long enough to get to the other side.
Because the other side always comes.
Try This When Things Feel Heavy:
-
Write down your “why.” Post it somewhere you’ll see it every day.
-
Start a 3-minute gratitude ritual. List 3 things you’re grateful for each night.
-
Pick one scent that calms you. Use it during stressful moments to help ground yourself.
-
Set a “hard moment” alarm. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and take 10 deep breaths.
-
Move your body daily. It doesn’t have to be a workout—just get moving.
You’re allowed to struggle. But don’t quit.
Hold onto your why. Breathe through the how. And trust that the hard is not the end of your story—it’s the middle.
Leave a comment