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Over the past six months, as my mother has grown more and more ill, I’ve come to an important conclusion: I don’t have to suck it up and pretend everything’s OK.

Everything ISN’T OK. My mother is dying, and it’s painful to watch the whole of her slip away a little bit more everyday. So after many months of struggling to keep up with all my usual commitments, I finally gave myself permission to cut back on the things in my life that weren’t absolutely essential, so I had time to be there for my mother and family, and so I had time to breathe.

So, I cut out extracurricular activities that were sapping me of energy. Pared back on obligations that weren’t absolutely essential. Recommitted myself to staying healthy, balanced and fit through yoga, meditation and exercise. And streamlined the marketing of my coaching business. As a result, I finally have room to breathe.

Finally!

Now, don’t get me wrong. None of this came easily. I hate the idea of “quitting” or “letting people down,” and like many women, I secretly wish I had the speed and stamina of Wonderwoman.
In fact, I even tried playing Wonderwoman for awhile. Though that had its benefits, pretending to be my favorite superhero left me feeling exhausted and irritable in the end and not so Wonderwomanly.

I tell you all this to remind YOU, that you don’t have to suck it up and pretend to be Wonderwoman or Superman, or whoever your favorite superhero may be. If you’re going through a tough time, there’s no need to carry on as usual. You can stop and take stock of your life. You can decide what to keep and what to cut. You, and only you, have the power to take charge of your life.

Which superhero do you pretend to be when you’re going through a tough time?

Do you tend to “suck it up” and carry on as usual or re-adjust your priorities during difficult transitions?

What has helped you take charge of your life when you’re going through a tough time?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment here on ShareWIK.
Are you dealing with job loss, the death of a loved one, or another challenging life transition? If so, I’d love to help out. Visit my website at http://www.ellen-brown.com to sign up for an introductory coaching session or a coaching package that’s right for you. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world.

Ellen H. Brown is a certified professional coach based in Cleveland, Ohio.  She is a regular ShareWIK.com columnist.
 
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