When I write on my blog, I find that I am trying to be more of a "writer" than a real person who is doing this to help other people. So today, I plan to change that. In my life right now, I am facing challenges that push me to want to give up. I don't because what I am fighting for is my daughter and peace in my life.
I want to bring you guys informative posts as I have for the last two weeks because I believe them to be helpful. However, I plan to focus less on the way things are worded and more on the message. I want people to know that they are not alone.
I am in a situation right now that keeps getting me kicked while I'm down. I can tell you sometimes it feels impossible to think positively. On occasion, I even get mad when I push to see a silver lining because many of the times, it feels like there isn't one. I want others in any situation similar to this to know they aren't alone and to keep fighting.
I can tell you that overwhelm is the worst. I can tell you that change is hard. I can tell you that we live in a society full of people who think money is God. I can tell you many people have so much hate in there hearts for others that they fail to see their wrongs. I can tell you there are so many dishonest people in this world.
Days like today, I want to sleep my pain away, but I know my problems will still be here when I wake up. The point is that even when you feel like its all too much, you have to keep fighting. The reality is that you don't know what the future holds. You have to work hard and look for opportunities to make some positive changes in your life that you haven't made yet. Look for the blessings that fill your life right now. What do you take for granted? Who are you grateful to have in your life? What are you thankful for?
Remember that you can only take it one day and one step at a time. You aren't the only one feeling like you're going in circles. Just keep trucking it because change is inevitable, and hopefully, with hard work and perseverance, you will come out on top.

​There are countless websites, books, classes, and so on that are all dedicated to helping people become successful and achieve self-actualization. I am one of the people that consumes myself with self-help information in hopes that I learn ways to become my best self. I decided to start a website to help people having to start over or start late in life like I am having to do become the best versions of themselves.
I offer you this advice: Changing your mindset can change your life. If you always think negatively, you are not giving yourself a chance. If you want to help yourself, this is a change you can make . It is the one thing that you always have control over. I understand what it is like having a to-do list longer than Santa's naughty list and having goals that seem more like wishes than something that can become a reality. If you want to change that, changing your mindset is your STARTing point.
When I began to write this, I immediately started stressing out about it. I began becoming overwhelmed with negative thoughts about my ability to write anything worthwhile or helpful. I questioned if anyone would even read it. I figured I would be wasting my time, which I already don't have enough of (remember that long to-do list I mentioned earlier). It made me want to quit before I even started.
Since I decided to stop thinking so negatively, I was able to stop myself from letting these thoughts consume me. I grabbed my notebook (one of the thousands I own because I am an office supply junkie) and started writing out my thoughts but in a positive tone. I wrote how excited I was to begin writing and how grateful I am to have the opportunity to share my thoughts with others in a way that may help them. I continued turning all my negative thoughts into positive ones until I didn't have a negative thought left. Afterward, I read what I wrote. Twice. It helped me to not let my negative thoughts stop me from starting.
Push yourself to find the positive. It turns your challenges into opportunities. It's your STARTing point.

It's hard to get started on anything when there is so much you need to get done. I know that my solution to this problem, unfortunately, most of the time, is to avoid doing anything at all. In turn, I find myself stuck in a rut. I end up feeling depressed and anxious. Meanwhile, my to-do list grows. It's a vicious cycle. I decided to try and work out a solution to this problem to help others struggling with this same issue.

STEP ONE: CHANGE THE TONE OF YOUR THINKING
It's easy to throw your hands up in the air and yell, " I QUIT," when you look at your to-do list and have no confidence in your ability to complete the tasks you have listed. If you spend some time reading over what you have to do and reminding yourself of your capabilities, it may ease some of your anxieties. Even if there are some overwhelming things you need to complete, reiterating belief in yourself is the first step to getting things done.

STEP TWO: ONE THING AT A TIME
It doesn't matter what you chose to do as long as you choose something off your list to get you started. Remove any distractions and begin. If you are still struggling to begin, it may help to switch items and try to complete something a little less strenuous first.

STEP THREE: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
There is always a reason people decide to procrastinate. Determine why you are struggling to begin or complete something. You can come up with a solution much easier when you figure out what is causing you to procrastinate. For example, someone may put off exercising because they feel it is boring. A solution to help deter procrastination would be making exercising more fun by doing it with a friend so that you are more motivated to get started and have someone to hold you accountable.

STEP FOUR: STAY POSITIVE
Whatever it is your doing, you have got to try your best to stay positive. I know this seems impossible at times, but there is always a silver lining. I am personally working on finding that silver lining more often. It's so easy to find the negative, and it does nothing for you. Do your best to focus on the positives. It is what will keep you going.

I think everyone who has been in the vicious cycle I talked about earlier wants to get out. Hopefully, this can help others who feel this way try to tackle their to-do list with confidence. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. The little things you do and the choices you make each day become the big things tomorrow. They become who you are.

​If you’ve been through something similar please let me know what you do when you feel like you’re in a rut.