You Might Be Stuck in a Bad Chapter
Your life has had many chapters, and you may be in the middle of a tough one.
Are you stuck in a bad chapter?
Some chapters in life are truly rotten. Others, amazing. There are chapters with injuries, illnesses, surgeries. Minor setbacks, major losses. Devastating moments. Highs and lows.
The thing is, when you’re in an awful chapter, it’s hard to see it. There is no chapter and you think this is a corny metaphor, and maybe it is. All you can see is endless stress and pain.
“It’s always been like this,” your mind tells you.
“Yeah, it will always be like this,” you agree.
And it really feels like that.
But it’s just a brutal chapter in your life’s book, like reading a novel where your favorite character is absolutely put through the wringer. It’s painful to read those stories. The earlier chapters were pretty good — why did things take a turn like this?
You are heartbroken for the character, maybe mad at the author . Why would they write this terrible storyline?!
You don’t know the ending, but you keep reading anyway, cheering them on and hoping they get out alive and overcome all the hurtful hurdles thrown their way.
And can’t we do the same for ourselves?
Can’t we cheer ourselves on and stay hopeful that we will figure it out or things will change? We don’t know the ending, either.
It may take time for this chapter to wrap up. Yet, there will be another chapter, because look — there is another breath. And another.
Just get through this chapter.
Turn the page.
Today is not The End.
kek
If you or someone you know in the US is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 for help. In the UK, call 111. (Elsewhere in the world? Get help here)
Note: This "chapter"metaphor was drawn from Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain.
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