Harnessing the power of small steps
In a bad morning mood, frankly somewhat depressed, and finding it difficult to pull out of this downward spiral, she struggled to even form a coherent thought.
This had been going on for days, perhaps weeks. Not always this severe, but certainly she was not “on her game.”
Later that evening, she began to write. Articulating what wasn’t working and how it got that way, she defined a few small, basic steps that she knew were the right thing to do.
Exercise and pray.
So, she got on the exercise bike for 3 miles in 15 minutes. As she pedaled, she recited the 23rd Psalm over and over.
In the coming days, she continued making similar small steps in the right direction. Nothing momentous, other than the fact that the downward spiral had reversed into a slow, upward spiral.
She made the bed each morning. Decluttered a stack of bills. Cleaned half her inbox at work, and pre-planned her meals each day. All the while, she continued small, realistic exercise sessions punctuated with intentional spiritual exercise.
She was on again.
Sometimes a more severe experience requires a Licensed Professional Counselor or medication or both. Sometimes these can help with a situation as the one described above. But at some point, with or without help, small steps are necessary.
What one or two steps do you need to take today to flip the switch on again?
Worth Repeating
We can make our new normal any way we want.
-Kristin Armstrong
