I think that my biggest challenge in life is holding on to the good parts of myself and my good habits when things go downhill. I am a person that easily slips into self-destructive and harmful behavior when things go wrong which include smoking, distancing myself from everyone and becoming closed off.
When something particularly bad happens or I am going through something emotionally, I will seek out cigarettes to calm my nerves and then I will take time for myself which often leads to me going completely off grid and lowering my communication with the outside world to a minimum which often results in some feelings of depression because I completely cut myself off from everyone and then it’s hard to go outside again.
I’ve been through these episodes several times and what changed lately is that I became aware that I am doing it so I am putting in more effort into stopping this behavior before it takes over my life but old habits die hard.
Working on myself is very much on the to-do list for 2024, so hopefully I will manage to completely break this cycle.
Love,
Luna
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I understand. For me it’s keeping my good habits when things stay the same. My life went downhill for several years. I’s steadied now but I have had little success in improving the income generating part of my life. I wondered a month ago why I started blogging again. I still wonder but it may have something to do with acceptance. My life isn’t that bad now and I should be able to live the rest of it reasonably comfortably if I don’t fall hard once again.
It is so easy to fall back into those bad habits. Stay strong Luna!
I really enjoy your blog, do you mind if I link to it? You may feel free to do the same.
My site address: lifelongeducation.blog
Good morning Luna from a dark (i.e. all the street lights are on: 05:26) and slightly wet Devon, England. Thank you for sharing the prompt and your heartfelt and open response. Aged 56 (and I’m beginning to feel my age. . .) life, sometimes, is my biggest challenge. I know. That sounds terribly grandiose and almost oracular but when you’re still at the grindstone of ennui-infused work and that takes up way too much of my time, I’m bound to ask: “Is this it? Is this the whole effing deal?” Of course, my forebears had it much worse, especially those who were still working on their tools, down the mine or in a factory (my dad did this all his life — he’s still alive (82)) and so I must not complain but I’d be lying if by the end of another week, I do wonder what the hell I’m doing. A few things still sustain me: writing the odd blog, reading poetry (I’m a huge fan of Charles Bukowski, Joy Harjo and Mary Oliver — amongst many others) and walking in nature. Anyhow, perhaps 2024 will be a little less harsh on my brittle soul. I have managed to wrangle one day extra per week where I don’t work and so I think that officially means I’ll be part-time. Take care, Julian
You are damn right. I do fall prey to all the bad habits when things start going downhill. I must definitely work on it. Thanks for the reminder.
I drop into the self destructive bucket a few times a year myself. But you know, I like to think of it as not a habit I have to break but as a creativity tax I have to pay. I keep in mind that this is a creativity tax and I do some creative things like write or paint or music and this helps me to get out of the behavior faster. Even though when Im down I don’t want to do anything creative at all. But maybe try that this next year. If you feel the down, create something artistic or write on the way down maybe that will help you come up sooner.
I learned to fix ny eyes in the problem solver rather than on the problem itself, i thank God that now I am an overcomer in Christ. Have your God with Jesus, He never failed me and anyone I know.
Challenge is difficult, acceptance is key.
Just do not give attention to non-value added things in your life.
Awareness is everything and for me I am not always aware, probably more by choice than accident, because if I am aware I have to do something about it. I can identify but the go to for me is wine rather than cigs.
I think to answer the question I would have to say my biggest challenge is making sure my blog stays successful longterm.
3 hopes I have for 2024
1. My blog stays successful
2. Everyone stays happy and healthy
3. Everyone has a great 2024!
Your self-awareness is a powerful step. Break those cycles, Luna! Rooting for your journey of positive change in 2024. You’ve got this!
Hi
I salute your courage!
All the best!
Hi
nice 🙂
Wow, I could have written this myself. I am very much also introverted when I’m struggling with anything, it is such a hard habit to break and every time I go off the grid as you say I end up hurting people’s feelings. I unfortunately do not have the most understanding family and friends when it comes to this, like we are a rare breed.
Hi
Nice
The hare times always seem non ending especially when it involves emotions..dont give up luna just take it slow and you will eventually be over it
Plus we will always have bad times but we just count on the fact that nothing stays forever, you will bounce back
These are acceptable habits, so you know what, you have accepted already. It’s a big milestone to change these.
Stay calm and start to be really whated to be idealperson
Take care
Hi! I really like this article! To answer this question… I would say my biggest challenge was being brave and getting readers to read my blog! I was nervous to comment but then I did it and it worked. Please subscribe to my blog!
Nice article!
Challenges? Leaving my comfort zone can be very demanding and tough
This really resonated with me – that struggle to hold onto positivity when things get hard is so relatable. It’s crucial to keep pushing through, so don’t be too hard on yourself! You’re not alone.
Spending time alone, often cutting off communication with the outside world is sometimes so relaxing
It’s great that you recognize it now. That is the first step to correcting those bad habits. We all have them, and more times than not we don’t even know the damage we are doing to ourselves with these bad habits. I have started to become more aware of things I do as well when times get tough that are more destructive than healing. And I am trying to work on seeing the signs and adjusting my mindset before I jump back into old destructive habits.
My biggest challenge now is to find a decent apartment. I was placed in temporary housing, and the word “livable” is a euphemism.
Thank you for liking my poem!
I hope you succeed in life!