THE NEXT JEN

It sneaks up on all of us. Life takes a swing – sometimes you duck, sometimes you get hit. Sometimes you get hit twice.

The current climate feels a bit uncertain for a multitude of reasons we could list here… (but won’t!) During any time of strife, just know that the dilemmas you’re facing are not hopeless, and neither are you.

When we face challenges, it can be difficult to see through the struggle ahead. The journey is almost always complicated, and we can never be completely certain about circumstances. But we can always choose to persevere – even when its tough.

1. Breathe. Don’t panic. You can’t change what is done, you can only move forward.
2. Manage your time wisely. It’s easy to stress and twiddle your thumbs when feeling uncertain. Now is not the time to procrastinate the important to-do’s.
3. Compartmentalize. Stress is a cruel mistress – make your time count and find a small window of your day to put the stress away into a box.
4. Create a mantra or a list of affirmations you can say out loud to yourself every morning. Don’t be afraid – just do it!

During periods of great uncertainty, I like to repeat to myself that “God is in control.” It’s a reminder that I wish I better focused on in times of certainty. And whether you believe in a higher power or not, its important to acknowledge that your control only extends to a certain point.

Do what you can to get through tough times – and let grace take care of the rest.

Know that you aren’t alone.

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade… AND then make a margarita.

Cheers!

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