Back to Life. Back to Reality.* Keeping your focus.

Last week, we were fortunate to take a break overseas, in the sunshine….sleeping early, eating well, exercising, reading, writing some thoughts down, listening to audiobooks, swimming, getting some much needed Vitamin D and playing games as a family as the sun set on each magic day. It was a true holiday!

Then, as always with holidays, it ends and you have to get back to life. Back to Reality. (Thanks to Soul II Soul, 1989!)

It’s true that we live in a world where distractions and escapism are abundant, yet it is essential to remind ourselves of the significance of facing reality. Avoiding the challenges and harshness of reality might seem comforting in the short term, but in the long run, it can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. Embracing reality empowers us to grow, learn and make the most of our lives.

Having thought about it and as a result of a family member saying that they really didn’t want to get back to reality, it made me think about why that is and what we might be able to do about it. Here are some ideas to help recognise the importance of facing reality and equally doing our best to live life to the fullest.

Acknowledging the Present Moment
Try to accept this, no matter how difficult it might be. Avoiding reality only prolongs the inevitable, whereas facing it head on allows us to take control of our circumstances. It might help to walk towards it and also to start right now.

Embracing Change
Change is a constant in life and trying to resist it only leads to unnecessary struggle. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and adaptation. Facing reality means being open to change and using it to our advantage.

Setting Realistic Goals
This allows us to create a roadmap for our life. Acknowledging our strengths and equally our weaknesses, together with looking to achieve objectives that align with both our abilities and aspirations, by taking a step and feeling that we are making progress.

Learning from Failure
Instead of fearing failure, if we can view it as a valuable teacher can be really helpful, even if this is easier said than done. Embrace the lessons it offers and use them to improve yourself. Accepting failure allows us to build resilience and move forward with renewed determination.

Face Our Emotions
Don’t suppress them and hence leaving issues unresolved: Yes, we need to experience and process our feelings, whether positive or negative but confronting our emotions enables us to find healing and make better informed decisions.

Seeking Support
We don’t need to and actually can’t do life alone. Seekign support from friends, family or professionals is essential I think. Simply downloading and talking about our challenges can provide fresh perspectives and valuable insights to cope with reality effectively.

Practice Mindfulness
This encourages us to be present and aware of our thoughts and feelings without judgment. Engaging in mindfulness and breathing practices helps us to stay grounded in reality and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves. It also seems to lower our resting heart rate and allow us to pause, before reacting.

Focus on Solutions rather than Problems
If we can direct our energy in this way, facing reality means accepting the challenges and working hard to overcome them, rather than escaping from them.

Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude shifts our focus from what is lacking to what is present. Taking time to appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, even amidst the harshness of reality can lead to a more content and fulfilling life. Journaling your thoughts briefly each morning can set you up in a positive way to tackle the day.

Live Authentically
Being true to yourself and your values is crucial when facing reality. Avoid living a life dictated by societal expectations or chasing illusions. To sum it all up, I think we should Embrace who we are, acknowledge reality and carve our own path. That hopefully gives us each the best chance to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. In reality.