Trying Times

Life has its seasons. It ebbs and flows, just as the ocean tides do. This cyclical nature is something I’ve come to honor deeply in my work as a shamanic practitioner, and it’s a truth that has guided me through countless challenges. Trying times come to all of us, like the storms that sweep through the skies. Yet, within these storms lie lessons, growth, and the quiet resilience that shows us who we truly are.

No one is spared from the hard chapters. Life isn’t always roses and unicorns, and that is its honest beauty. Over the years, I’ve learned that trials are more than stumbling blocks; they are sculptors shaping us into the beings we’re meant to become. They’ve shown me courage, creativity, and connection in ways I could not have imagined.
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When everything feels impossible, and the weight of the world presses in, I lean into these lessons, and they remind me that we are all more resilient than we think.

Finding Courage in the Everyday

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s the quiet decision to get out of bed when nothing feels certain. It’s putting one foot in front of the other, even when the ground feels shaky. I’ve felt this kind of courage most deeply in moments when life seemed to unravel.

I remember a particularly hard season in my life when the days felt heavy, and I wasn’t sure how to keep moving forward. The simplest routines, like making tea or stepping outside for fresh air, required effort. Yet each small action felt like an act of defiance against despair. Each choice to keep going reminded me of my inner strength.

If you’re in a season like this, remind yourself that courage is not about grand gestures. It’s about persistence. Simply waking up and facing the day as best you can is an act of immense bravery.


Nurturing Creativity Through the Darkness

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to believe that joy or inspiration has vanished. But I’ve come to see that creativity is a lifeline during difficult times. For me, creativity has looked like journaling out my messy, unfiltered feelings. It has been dancing in my living room or capturing a fleeting sunset on camera.

Even when you feel drained, small creative acts can offer a break from the storm. Don’t overthink it. Draw if you feel like drawing. Write if you feel like writing. Engage in an activity that invites you to reflect or express, even in the smallest way. Creativity isn’t about the result but the process of connection it offers.


Connection Is the Rhythm of Life

One of the most profound lessons life’s trials have taught me is the power of connection. We are never truly separate from one another or from the world around us. Hardships remind us of this, even when they seem isolating at first.

When I was struggling to cope with heavy emotions, one of the most healing things I did was talk about it. Sharing my feelings with someone I trusted shattered the sense of loneliness I’d been carrying. A conversation with a family member, a friend, or even a kind therapist can be a lifeline in rough times.

Beyond other people, I’ve found connection in nature. I’ve walked through the woods during times of deep uncertainty, feeling the earth steady beneath my feet. Nature reminds us that everything changes, including pain. Even the hardest winters give way to spring. By aligning myself with these rhythms, I’ve rediscovered hope in unexpected ways.


Simple Steps to Find Hope in Trying Times

If you’re navigating your own storm, here are some steps that have helped me reclaim hope:

1. Talk to Someone
Open up to someone you trust. Whether it’s a family member who knows your heart, a dear friend who listens without judgment, or a professional therapist, simply sharing your feelings can lighten the load. You don’t have to face everything alone.

2. Spend Time in Nature
Step outdoors and feel the wind on your skin, the sun on your face, or the rain on your hands. Walk among the trees, breathe deeply, and notice the life surrounding you. Nature has a unique way of grounding us and reminding us of the bigger picture.

3. Move Your Body
Movement even in small doses, can shift heavy energy. Whether it’s yoga, stretching, dancing, or taking a slow walk around your block, moving your body creates space for emotions to flow rather than remain stuck.

4. Journal Your Thoughts
Grab a notebook and write whatever comes to mind. It doesn’t have to be pretty or polished. Just allow your thoughts to spill onto the page. Journaling can help untangle the knots in your heart and mind.

5. Create a Small Ritual
Craft a ritual that nourishes you. It might mean lighting a candle, saying a quiet affirmation, or holding a warm cup of tea and giving thanks for one good thing in your day. These rituals don’t need to be elaborate; their purpose is to ground you in the present moment.

6. Give Yourself Grace
Somedays are about big leaps; others are about simply surviving. Be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. This self-compassion can create the space for healing to begin.


Turning Trials Into Gifts

Though hardships cannot be wished away, their weight often reveals a deeper connection to our truth and strength. When I look back on my own trying times, I see not only the pain but also the resilience that grew from it. I see the courage to keep walking, the creativity that sparked from moments of stillness, and the deep connection to both my inner self and the world around me.

If you’re in a hard season now, know that it will pass. Life is movement, and nothing stays the same forever—not even the pain. Trust that you’re growing through it, even on the days when it doesn’t feel that way. You are more courageous, creative, and connected than you know.

You are never alone in your struggle. Reach out. Take a small step. Trust the cycles of life to carry you through. One day, perhaps sooner than you think, you’ll look back and see not just the trial, but also the transformation.