Take care of anything holding you back. If you want to make a new way forward, eliminate anything holding you back. For example, if you’re in debt, work on paying it off and find a financial counselor. Find even the smallest ways to move forward so that you don’t feel stuck.
For example, if you want to move to a new country, begin selling your possessions or put them into storage. Or, if having a car is too expensive, find ways to use public transportation and save money. Acknowledge your emotions. Don’t let past emotions hold you back or influence your ability to move forward. Start by acknowledging the emotions and recognize that you feel them, but they are not you. When you feel an emotion, label and say to yourself, “I feel angry” or “This is sadness.” Let your negative emotions exist, but don’t attach to them with judgment or identity.
While running from your problems may alleviate stress or pain temporarily, it’s not a long-term fix. It’s better to acknowledge your emotions and work through them.
If you’re starting over after a painful or stressful experience, recognize that you are more than this experience. While it may be painful now, that pain will subside.
Express your emotions. Stress and emotions can often feel overwhelming, so find a healthy outlet to express yourself. Some ways to express your emotions might include dancing, listening to music, painting, crying, and talking with a trusted friend. Even if your friend can’t do anything to help, it’s often cathartic to share how you feel.
Don’t hold onto your emotions when you feel them but try to express them in a healthy way. Expressing your emotions helps you move through your emotions, no matter how difficult they feel.
Write in a journal. A daily journal can help you collect your thoughts and feelings and express them in a positive way. A journal can bring clarity to situations that are confusing, help you solve problems, and help you know yourself better. Because a journal is private, you are free to express what you think, feel, and want.
Reflect on your journal entries periodically. This can help you acknowledge the growth you’ve made and approach problems from a new perspective.