From the global pandemic and natural disasters to dramatic changes in our daily lives and personal traumas such as the loss of a loved one, declining health, unemployment, divorce, violent crime, or tragic accidents. We have to go through a lot of issues. And if one plays the role of a caregiver during these phases the burden is multiplied.

Many caregivers are often found questioning how to keep moving forward in their lives when what’s appearing in life is crushingly challenging like the pain of seeing your loved one fighting a chronic disease, or the death of the person you cared for years or missing the relationship with your partner/parent/siblings/children that diminished after their illness.

While there’s no way to avoid sorrow, adversity, or distress in life, there are ways to help smooth the rough waters and regain a sense of control. This post is not only for caregivers but for everyone looking for hope and practical steps to help them move forward during these difficult times.

5 ways to move forward in difficult times

1. Take small steps towards change

You often forget that what’s appearing in your lives today will not last. Change is constant and your future will look very different if you take the pressure off of yourself to wait for the right moment when you feel “time to move forward” or have more energy as it might never come around until you take a positive step to pave a way to move forward in life.

For instance, if a caregiver is struggling terribly with loneliness, they don’t have to look for a day’s break or wish their loved one never got ill instead they can think about taking small steps toward different ways of socializing like inviting friends and family at home to enjoy while not neglecting their responsibility, look for respite options so that they can enjoy some me time, read a book, video chat, and many other ways. But the important thing is not to get stuck and take a positive step toward change.

2. Work on eliminating self-judgment

Find a wellness medium that works for you to get rid of self-judgment and help you grow. It could be a podcast, book, deep breathing techniques, meditation, going to therapy, etc.

Asking for assistance and support to get you through is one of the crucial resources everyone needs, especially caregivers, to move forward in difficult times. An encouraging friend, mentor, family member, or coach can help you see beyond what you’re experiencing, make sense of it in terms that are meaningful to you, and connect you to the realization that you’re not alone.

For some reason, if you don’t have anyone around you, don’t forget books are our best friends. There are multiple books available that give you an understanding of the “higher” self – the dimension of you that gives you a broader perspective of life than your ego mind is capable of. One such amazing book is “The Recovery of a Caregiver” by Patrick Palmer, who is also a caregiving advocate; it gives you insights into the value of life and acceptance. It helps one understand that you are the most important in your life and when you get it, you know it’s time to move forward in life.

3. Address the negative habit of rumination

Rumination is when we are stuck in the past. In order to move forward in difficult times, you have to redirect and guide your mind toward self-serving thoughts rather than obsessing and highly focusing on thoughts that create distress, anxiety, and fear of what has happened or what will happen.

The most important thing for getting rid of this habit is to eliminate “naysayers” from your social circle. Naysayers are negative people around you who think they know best and more than you. They often say, ”I told you so!” or “I knew that would fail,” or “What were you thinking?” The best you can do is to turn a deaf ear to the naysayers and focus instead on those who are compassionate, encouraging, and uplifting to you. Seek out those who believe in you 3000% and who trust in your capabilities without reservation. Remember that in this process we sometimes need to hear difficult counsel, but make sure the advice you pay attention to is from an empowering, positive, knowing source.

For instance, if a loved one is facing a life-threatening illness, you can be shattered and sorrowful, but life and death aren’t in your control. That’s why focus on things within your control. In this scenario, it’s in your control to access medical experts, provide your loved one with emotional support, make memorable moments in life, and do whatever you can do so that if something happens, you won’t be guilty and can easily accept the decisions of life.

4. Appreciate life

 When you are facing hardship or struggle, it’s very difficult to achieve a state of appreciation. But appreciating where you are is essential to bringing into your life more positive events and circumstances. Appreciating where you are means that you understand in some critical ways, you’ve signed up for these challenges — co-created them, one could say – for your own expansion. Not on a conscious level, but on a higher dimension.

Embrace what your life is giving you as a way to grow into what you want more of. Raging against where you are in life is like rolling a ball uphill over and over, and being angry that it keeps rolling back down at you. Either change how and where you roll the ball or stop feeling resentful at what is (or better yet, do both)!

Caregivers can appreciate their role in helping those around them who are powerless or helpless. By understanding that what you are doing or what you did is a noble act or has a deep impact on mankind, you can regain a sense of control as well as find purpose in your life.

5. Trust in the divine power

Maybe “divine power” for you is a religion, a spiritual belief system, the universe, or a specific God. Whatever it may be; find something beyond you to ground in and believe in. Having positive belief and faith is a comforting & needed way of thinking in order to move forward. Especially when you’re stuck with no direction on how to proceed forward, hope is mandatory in order to take chances and remain healthy-minded.

The concept of divine timing helps you get out of that phase. It is the idea that everything happens at the right moment; even if it’s not what you want or expect. It can manifest as a meaningful coincidence, gut feeling, or challenging obstacle.

For example, sometimes it is hard for many of you to understand why you came into the role of caregiving. So here’s the time to appreciate divine power as you won’t know that maybe others don’t have the capacity to manage these situations, or it is all for you to make you stronger for the next phase of life or anything positive. If you appreciate life’s decisions, it will be easy for you to move forward.

Last words

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and it’s time to move forward. So, trust in yourself and the divine power, and understand that everything happens for a reason. You’re not alone on this path—there’s a community ready to support and uplift you.

With heartfelt appreciation for all that you do.