How does it feel to take three steps forward only to then take two steps backward? In this economy, this is what it can feel like for many people who are dealing with a new reality whereby food has tripled in price, gas is doubling in price, and the paycheque that used to stretch is now incinerating into dust as individuals move straws of credit to try to make payments that continue to increase at exponential rates.
Then life happens as the car needs repairs, the dog gets sick, and expenses creep in. The wiggle room in a budget is no longer there, and instead, represents a gaping hole.
How do you make this all work as panic surges through your body?
This is the new reality for many middle-class Canadians and others felt not only in Canada but in many parts of the world. You can make it work but it takes strategy. Below are three ways to stay strong and resilient in a problematic economy.
Tip #1: Get Back Your Sense of Being Okay
Many problems in life are caused by the fact that people do not have faith. As individuals, we are socially trained to “feel okay” when everything around us is “okay.” Our family is happy so we are happy and so on. We are excited for Summer and the outside world dictates how we feel on the inside. Sunshine represents happiness and rain dampens the soul. Our challenge is to then not take cues from the outside environment for how we feel on the inside. Instead, we “create” each day and 80% of what happens in life relates to our reaction over the 20% of what happens with events.
We cannot choose the economy or who is in charge of our government right now, but we still have the power over “where we place our minds” and we can make corrective voting changes later as well as lobby over our rights.
For today, we can create peace for ourselves by making ourselves “okay on the inside”, even if this involves deep breathing as well as holding on to dear life, moment by moment. We can make each moment okay.
Tip #2: Stop The “What If” Thinking Spiral
Much of stress relates to negative thinking patterns like future-forecasting and worrying about “what if” something happens. The challenge is that we live through the moment of now AND the possibility of what COULD happen in the future without focusing on what IS happening at present. The opportunity then is to separate what COULD happen from what IS occurring and remember to stay present to the blessings in life. Otherwise, outside toxicity and social problems can consume our souls into a twisted state of misery.
Tip #3: See Opportunities
There is that saying that with faith, when one door closes, another door opens. We have to look for the “open doors” (opportunities in life) and knock on those doors. There is no such thing as failure as sometimes symbolic doors close and it is time for us to pivot into another direction. Life is carrying us into another transitional phase. Open your world up and get perspective from that emotional helicopter view.
For more information visit: https://www.savvylifenow.com
About the Author:
With 24 years of counselling experience and extensive knowledge of psychology, Dr. Catherine Patterson-Sterling provides you with this toolbox of skills through youtube shorts, tiktoks, memes, blogs, and online resources. With a deep understanding of forensics, Dr. Patterson-Sterling can support you in understanding the motivations of other people while being able to manage office politics, narrcissists in your life, toxic relationships, stress pressures, and more.
Website: https://www.savvylifenow.com
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