When we are in a particular part of our lives, sometimes we feel like this is all there is.  We might become overwhelmed and forget that this is just a small part of a much longer timeline.

It’s helpful to zoom out. 

This is especially true when we are younger and life feels overwhelming. 

If you’re being bullied at school, it feels like it will never end.

If your family life is awful, you can’t see that there is life beyond this family at this place and this time.

And if your (so-called) friends betray you, life may feel hopeless.

It is important to remember that this is a very small part of your life, your timeline. 

Yes, right now it’s all-encompassing.  It is your world.  It not only feels like everything, I can validate that right now it might be everything. 

But even so, there is another way to look at it.

• Draw your life on a timeline. The period of life you are in right now might seem overwhelming and all-encompassing.  And, yes, it’s important and your troubles are real.  But remember to zoom out and see the bigger picture.  This is a very small part of your life.  I can guarantee you that things will change. 

• Ask yourself if the problems you have today are likely to still be problems in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years.  Likely they will not – we solve problems, we add problems – but they change and our perspective on them changes all the time.
• Go outside and look around.  Remember that there is a lot of world out there that is separate from you and separate from your bullies, your family or your “friends”. 
• Remember the oscillations – you might be on the downhill part of one of the many, many oscillations in y our life, but the curve will flatten out sooner or later and start heading back upwards. So, endure the discomfort, be curious and pay attention. (https://caryrinken.com/oscillations/). 
• Make yourself a set of problem cards to try and see things differently (https://caryrinken.com/problem-cards/).
• Start to try and identify the negative messages you have told yourself (or others have told you that you are perpetuating) – these are the weeds that are obscuring the beautiful flowers in your garden – believe it or not, you can start to pull them out.

One thing I can guarantee is that things will change.  Life will go on beyond these dark times and there are a lot of colorful times ahead.