Loss of a loved one, a terminal illness diagnosis, a child who makes poor decisions — many things in life are out of your control. Avoiding stressful, unpleasant, sad or otherwise negative situations is natural. Unfortunately, some things can't be avoided, no matter how much you try. Accepting those things and finding peace can help you process the situation and move past it. This guide can help you find peace in acceptance when you find yourself in difficult circumstances.
If you're the type of person who always has to be in control of every situation, practice easing up on that control. Letting go or going with the flow on a small scale can make bigger situations less intimidating.
Think about the things that have to go a certain way in your day. Maybe you stick to a strict schedule and can't handle any variations. Ease into less control by leaving your watch at home and letting your day unfold naturally. If you like to make all the plans and decisions, let someone else choose the next Phoenix restaurant you will dine at.
When you relinquish control, focus on the experience. Try to enjoy what you're doing. Notice that you can have a fun, productive day even if you give up some control.
When faced with something unavoidable, it may feel incredibly overwhelming. You're often focused on the immediate and not thinking about the future and how this situation will improve with time. Force yourself to expand your view and look at the big picture. This can help you realize it's not as bad as you think, and you might even find some positives in the situation.
For example, if your family wants you to stop driving, you might focus on your loss of independence. However, you could sell your car and save money on gas and car maintenance. There are also several transportation options, such as scheduled transportation for Bethesda Gardens Phoenix residents. Other senior transportation options in Phoenix include the Senior Ride, ADA Ride, Senior Ride and Medical Trip programs.
You might not be able to avoid a situation completely, but you often have some control over what's happening. Look for things you can change, avoid, or minimize to make the situation easier to handle. For example, if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness, you can choose which specialists you see and how you treat or manage the health condition. The diagnosis might leave you feeling hopeless, but taking charge of what you can control can help you regain a little hope.
Create a plan for dealing with and moving past the situation. If you know a situation is coming but hasn't happened yet, plan for how you'll face it and how you can minimize the impact. If something has already happened, such as the unexpected passing of a family member, think about how you can move forward from here. If you lose a spouse, you might need to plan for a loss of income, make arrangements for moving and seek counseling to help you work through the grief.
Many people want to avoid the negative feelings that come with an uncontrollable situation. No one wants to feel sad, angry or resentful, but avoiding the feelings doesn't help you process what you're facing. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with the situation. However, don't let them take over your life. If you're angry about what's happening, don't lash out at other people or make rash decisions that will have a lasting impact.
Leaning on God during difficult times can be soothing and help you find peace. Pray about the situation to help ease your anxiety, sadness or anger about what's happening. Comforting Bible verses can also help you find peace in the situation.
Difficult situations can be a little easier when you have support from others. When your friends and family offer help, don't be afraid to accept it. If you need additional help, reach out to those close to you or find programs that can help. For example, Arizona has a Legal Assistance Program for people 60 or older, which can help you if you're facing a legal situation. Financial assistance programs can also help when dealing with a financial crisis.
It's easy to only focus on negative circumstances when facing something you'd rather avoid. However, it's important to remember you have many blessings in your life. Take some time to practice gratitude for the good things you have. This can help you feel more grateful overall and make the situation easier to handle. It can also help you reframe your thoughts and look at the situation more positively.
