Adversity is an integral part of our journey on Earth. Indeed, it’s simply impossible for anyone to live without facing a few “hard times”. If you’re lucky enough, these times are just fleeting. But some of life’s trials persist. Break-ups, divorce, abuse, psychological violence, the loss of a loved one and even natural disasters… these are all examples of experiences that often leave their mark, and that will continue to be felt for years to come. They continue to represent a daily challenge, even if they took place long ago.

Overcoming these difficulties can sometimes seem like a mammoth task. But it’s imperative if you want to improve your daily life.

Life’s trials are also “beautiful” experiences

“Life’s trials contain gifts. If we don’t learn the lesson, they will remain a burden.” In reality, difficult situations are an inseparable part of life. Quite simply, everyone will face them at some point. Overcoming them, however, remains a complicated task. Some might even describe it as mission impossible. It’s not easy to emerge victorious, as they usually happen when you least expect it. Most of the time, it’s not even our own doing.

In fact, it may be a personal trauma that has been imposed, resulting in a violent shock.

Perinatal bereavement, for example, can be long-lasting for a mother.
The same applies to a teenager who has experienced his or her first break-up.
A child who has been abandoned by his or her parents may feel abandoned well into adulthood.
And nostalgia for the past can trap a recently divorced father in a vicious cycle of depression.

Feelings of injustice – whether at work, in the family or among friends – are also among life’s most common trials. It’s often the result of an unexpected event. Job loss, difficulty finding work, successive mishaps, etc. – the examples are as numerous as they are varied. Perhaps that’s why the calimero syndrom (meaning: complaining about the bad things that happen in his/her life) is so powerful. In these contexts, it’s hard to see life’s trials as something good, isn’t it? And yet, they really are.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE’S TRIALS
Well, life’s trials are real opportunities for growth. You just have to know how to use them. When we find ourselves in a situation we’re not used to, it forces us to change our way of seeing things. It prompts us to think differently. Sometimes, it makes us re-evaluate our priorities. In other words, it’s a very effective – if unintentional – way of strengthening our self-awareness. Adversity actually pushes us to tap into our full potential, the unsuspected strengths just waiting to be discovered. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

It has the power to bring us face to face with ourselves. We can more easily determine our limits, our beliefs, our values and our skills. Similarly, life’s trials force us to find the capacity to accept change. Overcoming difficulties gives us extra strength to take on new challenges. We develop our resilience and are better able to react when setbacks and obstacles arise in the future. It’s this ability to adapt that gives us the courage to keep moving forward. It teaches you to be more open-minded, to see a learning opportunity in every experience. But that may be easier said than done for some of us.

So how can we use life’s trials to be more resilient?

While we may all be unique in our own way, we generally follow the same course, the same pattern. It’s the timing that may differ. One person, for example, might sleep with a broken heart tonight, while another woke up with butterflies in her stomach. Tomorrow, it could be one person’s turn to lose his job, while another lands his dream job. In short, life is a never-ending loop of disappointment and success. However, we don’t all have the same ability to overcome life’s trials and tribulations. Some may find it easier than others to emerge unscathed. Fortunately, resilience can be learned.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU
Take time to breathe. You don’t have to bounce back immediately from every setback. Always start by giving time to time. Give free rein to your feelings, never repress them. That way, you’ll be in a better position to move on. So live in the present first. Breathe deeply and simply be grateful to be alive.
Accept the inevitable. Human beings are particularly fond of clinging to habits to get by in life. It’s this familiarity that reassures us in our choices and decisions. But it’s also the fear of change that forces us to stay in our comfort zone. But we mustn’t forget that change is there to encourage us to move in a better direction. So instead of seeing it as something to be feared, seize your chance and discover yourself.
Don’t feel sorry for yourself. This means never being ashamed of your mistakes and failures. Instead, think about the experience you’ve had. What lessons can you learn from it? Identify the things you can change, the things you should do differently in the future.
Take courage. Your thoughts often define your reality. Instead of letting life’s trials trap you in the past, challenge yourself to overcome it. A great way to fight it is to accept the idea that they really happened. If you find it hard to realize, put your feelings into words. Seek professional help if you need it. Talking to a sympathetic relative can also help. Keeping a diary is also a perfect alternative. The choice is yours!