Life is a journey where we are given the chance to find out how we can have joy through any circumstances

So what are some ways that we can find joy through tough times?

How can we find peace and grow?

Bad things don’t just bring bad things.

My son asked me the other day what it meant to grow and learn from hard times in life.

I explained to him that it comes in the way we take those opportunities to grow as human beings and to find time to do good.

By staying calm, patient, and by adapting we can find out what we need to change and what may be missing in our lives.

So here are a few things that can help you right now.

1. TAKE TIME TO PAUSE AND REFLECT

We hear of many people bored out of their minds right now at home. But also of many others that are working non stop. Now more than ever.

With working from home, managing a household, cooking, cleaning, and homeschooling, especially parents right now may feel the financial stress, together with the added load of educating their kids and managing a full household.

We also hear if medical stuff and grocery store employees, mail services working nonstop.

Before all of these duties own you, remember more than ever that life is not a sprint, but it’s a marathon. Sometimes we need to just stop and rest.

This kind of rest may not come from turning on a screen or sleep.

You can find inner peace by going on a walk if permitted in your area, looking out your window and glancing at the sky if you can, or by closing your eyes and going to your favorite place inside your own mind.

Find a quiet place and focus on the present moment.

Even if for just 1 minute. Set a timer and give yourself time for peace.

Take deep breaths and find inner peace.

Speak to your self words of love and affirmation.

Remind yourself you can do all things and tell yourself how strong and beautiful and powerful you are even if you don’t believe it.

Whatever you don’t believe you are, tell yourself the exact opposite.

2. FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO DO

As I child I grew up playing the flute and doing gymnastics. Oh how I loved gymnastics. I can only do a few tricks now. But a couple of times a week during this quarantine I have been taking the time to practice the splits on the floor, jump on the trampoline in my house, and do cartwheels in the living room.

What is something you have always loved that you miss doing? Perhaps you love art, or makeup, or fixing things. Is there an inner chef inside of you that has been wanting to grow?

There are many 5 minute tutorials in YouTube of anything.

Especially if you are bored this can be your time to shine and grow.

Take the time here and there to invest in you. Be artistic.

Even for just 5 minutes here and there.

3. SAY NO TO THE UNNECESSARY

With this pandemic happening so many things have been cancelled. Something that may have felt like the end of the world at first. But what if this was just meant to remind us that we didn’t have to be a part of so many events, meetings, communities and so forth.

And now more so than ever we can say no to what is just too much for us to handle.

Right now we might need to blame it on social distancing and all being at home.

But in the future, this could be a good reminder that it’s ok to say no to the things we don’t want to be a part of our lives.

4. TAKE THE GOOD WITH YOU GOING FORWARD

More so than ever, we can take what we have learned we don’t need now, and use it as a reminder for when things go back to normal, to keep things simple.

Perhaps online chats can be your future best friend to cut back on commuting so much.

What other unnecessary meetings and events could you benefit from cutting out of your life to have your own life back after all will be said and done?

5. COMPILE AND LIMIT SHOPPING

With so many stores closed and restrictions on how many people can enter public places, right now many are coming up with new and creative ways of making the next purchase.

At our home we have taken on the new habit of going to the store only once a month and then going back once a week IF needed for fresh vegetables, fruits, and dairy.

In the past we visited the store at least twice a week. Going to the store was particularly fun for me as a mom because it was a somewhat social event.

I have found out during this pandemic that I have not missed it as much as I thought. And by going less I have had more time to spend time with everyone at home and learn together.

I know plan our meals ahead and we eat out less. Shopping less frequently is definitely something that we plan on taking on as a habit with us even after all of this will be over.

What are positive habits to help you save money and to help you spend less time shopping that you would like to take with you in the future?

Not all bad things come from hard times in life.

These times can be a way for us to learn to slow down, to learn to say no a little more, and to work on developing our own inner selves.

Act on life and be in control. Do it with courage.

Simplify things and you will find your most sophisticated, confident, beautiful self.