Life can be tough at times, and we all face adversity in one form or another. It can be easy to get discouraged and feel like giving up when things don’t go our way, but it’s during these times that we need to inspire ourselves to keep going.
One of the most powerful ways to inspire yourself in times of adversity is to look to those who have overcome similar challenges. Reading stories of people who have faced adversity and come out on the other side can be incredibly motivating and inspiring.
Another way to inspire yourself is to focus on the things you’re grateful for. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong in our lives, but taking a moment to reflect on what we do have can help shift our perspective and inspire us to keep going.
Remember that adversity can also be an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. When we face challenges, we’re forced to tap into our inner strength and resilience, and in doing so, we often learn more about ourselves than we would during times of ease.
Surrounding yourself with positive people and energy can also be a powerful way to inspire yourself. Being around people who believe in you and your abilities can help boost your confidence and give you the motivation you need to keep going.
Finally, taking care of yourself is essential when facing adversity. It’s easy to neglect self-care during challenging times, but it’s crucial to prioritize it. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can help replenish your energy and give you the strength you need to face the challenges ahead.
Key Points to remember
Look to those who have overcome similar challenges for inspiration and motivation.
Focus on the things you’re grateful for to shift your perspective and inspire yourself.
See adversity as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
Surround yourself with positive people and energy to boost your confidence and motivation.
Take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Believe in yourself and your abilities to overcome any adversity.
Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
Learn from your mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.
Take action towards your goals and don’t let fear hold you back.
Remember that you have the strength and resilience to overcome any challenge that comes your way.
In the end, inspiring yourself in times of adversity comes down to tapping into your inner strength and resilience. Believe in yourself, focus on what you have rather than what you lack, surround yourself with positivity, and take care of yourself. Remember that challenges can be opportunities for growth and transformation, and with the right mindset and attitude, you can overcome any adversity that comes your way.
“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.” – Osho
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Creativity is often thought of as a trait that only certain people possess – artists, musicians, writers, etc. But in reality, everyone has the potential to be creative, and embracing this side of ourselves can bring numerous benefits to our lives.
First and foremost, creativity is a great way to relieve stress and promote relaxation. Engaging in creative activities like drawing, painting, or writing can help us disconnect from our worries and focus on the present moment. It can be a form of mindfulness that allows us to escape from our daily routines and find some much-needed tranquility.
But the benefits of creativity don’t stop there. Research has shown that creative expression can have a positive impact on our mental health. It can help us cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues by providing an outlet for our emotions and allowing us to express ourselves in a safe and constructive way.
Additionally, creativity can enhance our problem-solving abilities. When we engage in creative activities, we are forced to approach problems from different angles and find innovative solutions. This can translate to other areas of our lives, helping us tackle challenges with more creativity and flexibility.
Moreover, completing a creative project can boost our confidence and self-esteem. When we create something that we’re proud of, it can give us a sense of accomplishment and validation. It can remind us that we are capable of great things and help us build a positive self-image.
#Stress Relief: Engaging in creative activities like painting, drawing, or writing can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
#Improved Mental Health: Creative expression has been shown to help individuals cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
#Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities: Creativity allows us to approach problems from different angles and find innovative solutions.
#Boosted Confidence: Successfully completing a creative project can boost self-esteem and confidence.
#Increased Brain Function:Engaging in creative activities can stimulate the brain and improve cognitive function, including memory and attention span.
#Improved Communication Skills: Creative activities can improve communication skills by allowing individuals to express themselves more clearly.
So let’s go ahead and unleash the creative person inside ourselves!! Let me know the wonderful creative ideas you come up with. Waiting to hear from you soon.
Smiling is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to spread positivity and make connections with the people around us. Not only does smiling make you appear more approachable and friendly, but it also has a plethora of physical and psychological benefits that can improve your overall quality of life.
Why you need to smile more 🙂
#SpreadPositivity: Smiling is contagious, and when you smile at someone, it can trigger a chain reaction of positive emotions. Studies have shown that when people see a smiling face, they tend to mirror that expression, even unconsciously. That means that by smiling at those around you, you have the power to spread positivity and make someone’s day just a little bit brighter.
#FeelGood: Smiling releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help to reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Even if you’re not feeling particularly happy, forcing yourself to smile can actually trick your brain into thinking that you are. So the next time you’re feeling down, try smiling for a few minutes and see if your mood improves.
#MakeConnections: Smiling is a universal sign of friendliness and openness, and it can help to break down barriers between people. Whether you’re at a networking event, on a first date, or even just standing in line at the grocery store, a smile can help to make a connection with someone and establish a rapport.
#LookBetter: Smiling can actually make you look more attractive. Studies have shown that people tend to be more attracted to those who smile, as it makes them appear more friendly, trustworthy, and approachable. So if you’re looking to make a good first impression, be sure to flash those pearly whites.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you should be smiling more often. Whether you’re feeling happy or not, the act of smiling can have a profound impact on both your own well-being and the world around you.
So the next time you’re feeling a little low, try smiling for a few minutes and see if it has an effect on your mood. And if you’re looking to improve your relationships with others and spread a little more positivity in the world, make smiling a regular part of your daily routine.
Remember, a smile is a gift that costs nothing but gives so much. So why not give it freely and often?
Quotes to remember
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” ​– Thich Nhat Hanh
“Peace begins with a smile.” — Mother Teresa
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward
Letting go is one of the hardest things to do in our lives, but it’s essential for our personal growth and mental health. It’s natural to hold onto things that matter to us, but when it starts to affect us negatively, it’s time to let go.
Here are some tips for letting go:
#Selfcare
Self-care is all about taking care of yourself physically and mentally. When you’re struggling with letting go, it’s important to practice self-care. This can be anything from taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, or going for a walk. Self-care is essential because it allows you to focus on yourself and your needs. When you’re focusing on your own well-being, it’s easier to let go of things that are causing you pain.
#Gratitude
Gratitude is all about being thankful for what you have. When you’re struggling to let go, it’s easy to focus on what you’ve lost. However, if you focus on what you have, you’ll find it easier to let go. Take some time each day to think about what you’re grateful for. This can be anything from your health, your family, or your job. When you’re grateful, it’s easier to let go of things that are holding you back.
#Perspective
Perspective is all about the way you view things. When you’re struggling to let go, it’s important to change your perspective. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive. Instead of thinking about what you lost, think about what you gained. Changing your perspective allows you to see things in a new light, which can make it easier to let go.
#Acceptance
Acceptance is all about accepting things as they are. When you’re struggling to let go, it’s important to accept the situation as it is. This doesn’t mean that you have to like it, but it does mean that you have to accept it. Acceptance can be hard, but it’s essential for letting go. When you accept the situation, it’s easier to let go and move on.
Letting go is hard, but it’s necessary for our personal growth and mental health. If we hold onto things that are causing us pain, it can lead to depression and anxiety. By practicing self-care, gratitude, perspective, and acceptance, we can learn to let go of things that are holding us back. Remember, letting go is a process, so be patient with yourself. You can do it!
Letting Go Quotes
“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Handling adversities is not easy. There are moments that pour sorrow upon you. You may feel that you are most likely to be buried deep beneath them. Sometimes, you just give up and allow yourself to be buried. Away from sight, away from conversations, away from chaos…is it an escape or is it just you being fed up with the struggle?
It occurred to me that I hadn’t penned down anything for quite some time now. The reasons were many. But it looked like I was burying myself, withdrawing from the world, busying myself and settling within myself.
Like a sign from the Universe, I came across a beautiful narration. This is the story I would like to share as a delayed New Year’s gift to all my readers! It’s a story almost all of you must have heard. But I hope that you are reminded of the strength within yourself when you read this. Let me name this simple story – Shake it off and step up!
There was a farmer who had an old mule. The farmer used the mule for most of his hard work on the farm and gradually as time passed, the mule became less useful around the farm. One day, the mule stumbled and fell into a deep well on the farm. The farmer decided to bury the mule as it had become aged and was no longer as useful as earlier. So he got out his spade and started filling a bucket of mud to throw into the well.
As the first bucket of mud landed on the mule, it got alarmed. The thought that its owner was burying him must have been devastating. The second bucket of mud fell.. and the third. Then it struck the mule that getting buried was not the only option left. It shook off the mud from its back and used it to step up.
With every bucket of mud, the mule stepped up higher and higher. Finally, just when the farmer decided that the mule was buried, he threw in one more bucket of mud. Behold, there stood the mule as smart as ever. It stepped out of the well and walked away, never looking back. The farmer was left gaping behind!
Is anyone of you getting buried by chaos and stress?? Shake it off and step up… There’s so much for you to do. It’s time to find yourself and start living your life exactly how you want to. Love to all of you 🙂
Is work-life balance turning out to be an uphill task for women since the onset of the pandemic? Do women prefer working from home 24/7? Does a career woman find herself torn between maintaining the balance between the two? Let’s try and find out all these answers by looking at some of the challenges working women face in a remote environment.
The Major Challenges Faced by Working Women
Let’s take a look at some of the major challenges a working woman faces as she tries to balance both her work and family responsibilities!
Defining Boundaries
Women may find it hard to define boundaries while working from home due to the constant pressure of trying to do their best in both worlds. With the economy becoming a remote-based one, the stakes of divided attention are higher than ever as far as female employees are concerned.
While earlier they could do their household chores and then leave for official duties, the scene has changed with working women having to focus on meeting official requirements also together with household chores.
Increased Multitasking
While some say that women are experts at multitasking, the real question is how effective is this? Multi-tasking is something women, especially working moms do out of necessity, not because they are experts. Due to the pressure of remote working, women tend to switch quickly between tasks as a means of coping or completing all required tasks. This may lead to low productivity and if left unattended, may also result in failure to achieve the set targets.
Career Growth and Recognition
With greater flexibility in getting things done at home, working moms tend to take a back step for the family. They feel compelled to give up on their plans to advance into senior roles for the convenience of family members. Their attention is divided and the drive to stay connected to the corporate world and happenings, may suffer dilution. As a result, their corporate circles grow smaller, keeping them out of major discussions and promotions.
Being seen or being present at the office becomes less easy while women opt for staying behind. They become the unseen employees who are branded more as family caregivers than office tycoons. This creates unwanted bias and gender discrimination.
A woman’s career graph can be affected when she fails to get the deserved recognition. The employees who work physically in the office get considered more for such rewards women who opt to stay at home do not get as much recognition.
Extension Of Working Hours
While at the office, there is a schedule that gives a specific time to log in and log out, remote working requires employees to be present at all times. So working hours extend and this leaves very little space for recreational activities. Working women are more likely to fall into depression considering the extra hours they put in at home after office requirements. Without a proper support system, remote working which is meant to give working moms control over their time leaves them in a compromised state.
Work-life Conflict
There is a high risk of exhaustion as working moms struggle to juggle their work along with household chores. Attending a zoom meeting while managing the family needs keeps them less focused. Likewise, attending to the family while work calls are due to begin also tends to throw them out of balance. As a result, female employees may find it tough to give their hundred per cent in either scenario. They may feel unappreciated at home as well as in the workplace, even when they are performing well.
Feelings Of Isolation
Women are likely to suffer emotional burnouts from being exhausted all the time. They spend their days rushing from chores to office assignments, leaving them feeling drained. The toll of being present in two places at the same time is likely to affect their emotional well-being. Many women state they could be happier when they have some me-time.
Feelings of isolation may arise as they no longer commute for official duties in the corporate settings. The absence of brainstorming sessions, group discussions and even occasional coffee breaks with teammates are factors that working moms enjoyed in a physical office environment. They try to spend time on entertainment at home to overcome such difficulties
Hear It From The Experts
In an interview given at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive director of U.N. Women rightly said.- “There is a danger there that women are the ones who are likely to opt to work from home, and offices may just end up being the places where men go to,” said
She truly speaks for all working women when she says: – “We worked so hard to say a woman’s place is not in the kitchen. We don’t want corona to say a woman’s place is in the home, that she’s sitting in the kitchen with her laptop, and the man’s place is in the office,” she said in a recent interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Recently a women’s rights forum LeanIn.Org in collaboration with McKinsey & Company had conducted a survey that gave alarming evidence that during the pandemic, women have had to be three times more responsible than their male counterparts when it came to dealing with childcare and housework.
Estimates suggest that 70% of the female population are mainly responsible for all the duties at home, while childcare rests primarily on the shoulders of 66% of them. As per a report from ILO (International Labour Organization), women perform over 75% of unpaid domestic activities at home. Experts also say that women, especially working moms carry the major bulk of responsibilities at home.
Taking into consideration these facts, it is not surprising that women are facing concerns about maintaining a healthy work-life balance in this era of remote working.
The words of UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres deserve applause-“Gender equality and women’s rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together, to recovering faster, and to building a better future for everyone.” -he states.
Summary
Every organisation should take measures for gender inclusivity. There should be a fair evaluation of the employees working from home, regardless of gender. The basics of performance evaluation should be revised and the results /outcomes of quality work have to be focussed upon.
A routine or schedule to stick to, exclusive office space and measures to prioritise the task at hand will enhance productivity. Taking steps to ensure mental well-being is equally important. With a conscious mind to maintain boundaries, women will be more at ease when they take support from all available resources. A rested mind is the main key to creating a positive work-life balance.
Life offers you choices all the time. You can choose how to take your next step. There is always a choice! Bringing to you today: My Poem From An Anthology- “The Slice Of Life”
Love your life 