Rise Up and Take Control

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” Bob Marley

We often tell ourselves that the problems or challenges that we face in life are much bigger than we are. That sometimes it seems so big, that we feel as though we’re drowning and we can’t come up for air. The complications of life have consumed you and have taken over your life. You’re being pulled in several directions and you’re tired and you no longer have the strength to move forward. You feel depleted and deflated. But here’s the good news! Your situation can change, if you want it to. Your well-being is at stake and you have no choice but to find the strength to do it. This is when you need to rise up and take control. So where do you start?

Learn to say no

Isn’t amazing that those two letters can be so powerful and intimating? Saying no, especially for women, seems to be extremely difficult. We want to be liked and accepted. We don’t want to hurt feelings. So, as a result, you say yes to everything. Saying yes to everything will have you overwhelmed, for sure. Stay true to yourself. If you don’t have room in your life to take on another thing, then don’t. Saying no to unnecessary commitments and daily distractions will set you free. Now use that time and space to focus on your goals and well-being.

You can’t be everything to everybody

You cannot be everyone’s friend, counselor, savior, financier, babysitter, caregiver, taxi driver, and the list can go on and on. Stop trying to please everyone to make them happy, it’s not your responsibility to do so. You may not realize it, but you’re exchanging your happiness for the approval of others. It’s not selfish to take care of you first before taking care of others. You need to prioritize. I’m not asking you to abandon your love ones, but simply asking you to get off the treadmill for a moment to regroup and access your situation. Your friends and family can survive without you for a while. If you give away everything you have for others, you won’t have anything for yourself. The best way to helping others is making sure that you are taking care of yourself.

Stop the drama around you

Are you the one that everyone calls when there’s a crisis? Or, maybe you turn small issues into big problems because you thrive on drama. Being negative about all things and not seeing the positive is normal for you. In fact, you are very comfortable either surrounding yourself with it or creating it. Whether you know it or not, you can’t function without drama in your life.

Step back and take a moment to explore why the constant need for it. Are you feeling insecure and need attention to be valued? Or, are you bored and looking for excitement in your life? If so, develop a healthy sense of self and think of alternative ways to use your talents and gifts to generate excitement. Don’t allow toxic behaviors to doubt your worth.

Start setting boundaries to keep drama out. If you’re not stopping it, then you are a part of it. Limit your time around friends or family who want to bring you into their world of madness. Be a supportive friend or family member that will bring clarity and stableness to a situation and not someone who will escalate it.

Limiting the amount of drama in your life is protecting your well-being and it is the most important thing you can do for yourself and for those who depend on you.

Be the architect of your life

What you focus on, whether positive or negative, will present itself in your life. Focus on what makes you happy and create a plan for your life. What’s your vision for your life? Find out what that is and make it a reality. Only you can design the life that you want. If you allow people to take control of your life by pulling you in different directions, you are giving them the power to define your destiny. Take your power back.

Find your source of strength

I turn to God for my source of strength and positive outlook on life. I also turn to my loves ones who have supported me throughout my life as another. What’s your source? Find that positive thing that will motivate you to rise up and take control.