We've all hit hard times in our lives. It's just the way world works, unfortunately. It can be as short as a single bad day or as long as a few years of rebuilding your life, but you will always come out on the other side.
The problem is that often times we cannot see those "better times" while we're dealing with our struggles. I know during my darkest times, people would always tell me "it will all work out in the end!" That frustrated me beyond belief. The fact that things will get better in the future does not help me deal with my problems now. I needed someone to sit with me and say "yep, that totally sucks. Life is a b**** sometimes, and it's gonna take some work to get out of."
One of my best friends told me I should look up Winnie the Pooh quotes and honestly, I thought she was nuts. But once I did, I started realizing that the stories weren't just for kids. They also offered a lot of wisdom to those of us dealing with tough times.
These were some of my favorites.
1. On Your Strength
We are often our own worst critics. We constantly put ourselves down when we should be our own #1 cheerleaders!
2. On The End Of The Tunnel
I know I said that it's annoying when people say stuff like this...but it's different when Pooh says it! The darker the times, the brighter everything else will seem later.
3. On Patience
Sometimes there are reasons that people act the way they do, and that doesn't mean it's time to give up on them!
4. On Love
This is so true!! I'd rather someone show me they love me than say it over and over. Actions speak louder than words.
5. On Losing Someone
When my grandmother passed, I wondered how I was going to move on. She appeared in my dreams and then I knew she would always be with me.
6. On Caring Too Much
A lot of times, people think that caring too much is a problem. While it can definitely lead to a lot of stress, there is nothing wrong with wanting what's best for your friends and family.
7. On The Little Things
When you're going through a tough time, you have to rely on the little things to keep you going. For me, that was diving into a TV show to distract myself. I found Gilmore Girls worked for me, and even just watching one episode let me relax.
8. On Being Lonely
Some days you just feel empty and you don't know how to explain it, but Pooh always does.
9. On Letting Go
Whether you've lost a loved one or have just decided to part ways with someone who no longer deserves a place in your life, it's always hard to say goodbye.
10. On Giving Yourself Downtime
We can get too wrapped up in our dark times thinking that we need to change everything at once, and that is simply not the case! We are all entitled to downtime to let ourselves recharge and get ready to face the next challenge ahead of us.
11. On Empathy
When we stop and realize what others are going through, we can understand better how to deal with the situation.
12. On Being Cautious
When we are in hard times, we often want to do something drastic even if our gut tells us it's wrong. Trust your gut, and don't do anything you might regret.
13. On Being Unique
Never change for anyone else, and always love your unique qualities. Anyone can fit a mold, but it's those who break out of it that are the most interesting.
14. On True Friends
Trust that your friends have your best interests at heart. A good group of friends makes all the difference when coming out of hard times.
15. On Staying Positive
Just keep looking, keep going, keep fighting. Things will change for you, you just have to work for it.