Chapter Fourteen: Avoid Temporary Solutions

"Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution." - Old Russian Proverb

While there will be things in our life that are temporary, never settle for BI." Just like a wound, you can't expect a band aid to work miracles if you don't provide proper care. Treat yourself with the same level of care. Embrace your emotions and give yourself the time to recover.

Sometimes we're scared to admit we're still hurting, so we hold on tight to the happiness we have at the the moment. We ignore asking ourselves if we have truly moved on or is only happy for the time being. Out of sight, out of mind, right? The reality dawns on us later on and we are stuck starting the cycle over again. So, taking the time to process your emotions and move on from past traumas will allow wounds to heal properly. This can also help us adopt a more optimistic outlook on life along with improving relationships and stress management.

When things got tough, I resorted to temporary fixes without fully grasping the significance of pausing to evaluate the situation and my emotions.  I mistakenly believed that my coping mechanisms were sufficient, neglecting to address my feelings properly and end up tormenting myself with the pain.

Through a profound journey of self-discovery, I have wholeheartedly dedicated myself to embracing self-love, self-care, rebuilding trust, and personal growth. This transformative process has empowered me to fully accept and appreciate my authentic self. By acknowledging my past mistakes, understanding their root causes, and actively seeking improved solutions, I have granted myself forgiveness. While cherishing my family and maintaining a grounded nature have always been important to me, I now confidently prioritize self-care. Placing myself at the forefront signifies my self-worth and the establishment of healthy boundaries.

We all have heard — Health is Wealth. While I am in a love and hate relationship with my current physical image, my goal is to improve my overall health for my own well being. I picked up on heavy smoking after my separation due to stress. It became a norm and I was smoking a pack a week. After a health assessment, it was a reality check and I knew I had to put a stop to it. My temporary fix? Vaping. I knew I didn't want to jump into this bandwagon, but I did. Not that vaping is any better, but I am working towards being nicotine free and leading a healthier lifestyle.

The aftermath of my separation caused me to experience insecurities which had a significant impact on my mindset and interpersonal relationships. Despite my efforts to trust others, I found myself grappling with conflicting feelings. Through personal growth, I have since developed the ability to establish boundaries as a means of safeguarding both myself and my trust.

Embrace the journey ahead as a continuous evolution filled with valuable experimentation and learning opportunities. Over the past five years, I have experienced pivotal moments that have profoundly shaped my perspectives on various matters. Facing my thoughts and feelings head-on is key, instead of dodging them. This go-getter attitude has given me the strength to deal with things and stop old traumas from hanging around in my head forever. It's important to remember that just recognizing and accepting things only helps for a little while.

Find your permanent fix and keep going.

Thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed the read and you or someone you know can relate. Please leave any respectful feedback. Have a blessed day!

Xoxo,