Getting Up After Hitting Rock Bottom

The ups and downs of life are what make it so valuable. We hit the lows before the highs, and the cycle repeats itself all over again, and most often, it's without warning. The mayhem that is life is controlled by a clock that is watched by all who operate on a calendar schedule. We're always waiting for the next big thing to go down, not knowing what the future holds.

It's at times when we've hit the bottom that we're most anxious for the next moment to be one of salvation to pull us from the sinking sand. Fear not, friends. Even if you feel you've hit rock bottom, it is not the end. That's right -- life goes on. Can you believe it? In times of desperation, when you feel like the world is against you, stay in check and get back up on your feet with these reminders.

Don't pity yourself.

Remember, everything happens for a reason. We are meant to suffer through misfortune before we can reach the high points in life. Battling through the tough times makes you a stronger person, challenging you to rise to the occasion and conquer the bullish*t that gets in your way. If you're feeling like you've finally hit the bottom, don't pity yourself.

Everyone falls down sometimes. Surprise yourself with your inner strength and bravery. You can do anything if you want it badly enough. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, take the negative sh*t that's weighing you down and turn it into motivation. Let the lows bring you higher by developing a thicker skin each time you're brought down.

Make an everyday to-do list.

Sometimes recovering from whatever it is that has you down is really f*cking hard to do. If you're feeling so down that it's hard to get out of bed and get started with your day every morning, make an everyday to-do list. It may sound petty and stupid, but it also might drastically improve your quality of life.

Getting yourself motivated to do anything when your mind is totally consumed with overwhelming negative thoughts can become a challenge to conquer every single day. Instead of focusing on the bad, an everyday to-do list gives you a handful of things to focus on day-in and day-out. Mine looks a little something like this:

1. Maintain a positive mind. Look on the bright side of negative situations.

2. Remove the word "hate" from your vocabulary. Is there anything worth so much negative emotion, anyway?

3. Forget revenge. Feel bad for those who bring you down -- karma comes back around.

4. Make someone smile. It's uplifting to know that you've made someone's day just a little bit better.

5. Look for the good in people. Use their likenesses as motivation to better yourself.

Out with the bad; In with the good.

What is it that's weighing you down? Is it your own mind, or is it some outside factor? Is it controllable? Many times, the things that have the greatest impact are within our control. If you've hit the bottom and there is clearly something you can do about it, what the hell are you waiting for? People will come and go in your life.

If there are bad people making a mess of your life and affecting your happiness, say goodbye. The number one person in life is yourself. If you don't have happiness, then what do you have? Even if the negative factors aren't physical people, the negative might be some other controllable situation like your current job or place in life. Make changes; sometimes change is good and should be embraced. If you absolutely dread going to work in the morning, find another job.

Even if your finances take a temporary hit, so be it. Money does not equal happiness. If you're not happy with where you are in life, figure out where it is you want to be. You must first discover yourself and what you want from this life before you can enjoy it. Dismiss the bad, and embrace all of the good that this world has to offer.

Focus on yourself.

Rather than focusing your attention on the negative sh*t that's keeping you on the bottom, focus on bettering yourself. If you have a negative mind, you're going to have a negative life. Worry about getting healthy: mind, body and soul. Start working out if you don't already. Working out not only improves your bodily health, but it energizes your mind, too.

If you're feeling good about the way you look, you have a better self-esteem, which leads to a more positive outlook on life. Get a new haircut, go on a date, spend time with your family or go on a weekend vacation. Worry about bouncing back up from the low, rather than the low itself.

Stop waiting; Start doing.

Stop waiting for the next big thing to happen. If you're living in the past, or looking forward to the future, you're not living right. Live in the present and embrace all that you have to be grateful for. If nothing else, you're alive and reading this, and that's something to be thankful for. Stop looking back, stop looking forward and start working on the present.

You cannot change past mistakes or regrets; you cannot predict or alter what's going to happen next. You can only make the most out of this moment, so make it a f*cking good one.

Let go.

It's always darkest before the dawn. I live by this proverb, and it's a constant reminder that no matter what situation is at hand, there's always brightness ahead. No matter what you're going through, it's not going to last forever, and it's not going to define who you are, or the life that you are living. Overcoming hardships is just a part of life. Sometimes mourning is necessary, but don't linger. You have to let go. Let go of whatever is weighing you down, and move on with your life.

Life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve. In the end, you will get out of whatever sh*thole you're in right now, and you will come out on top. Keep swervin' friends.