Life is full of challenges. Some big. Some small. And how we deal with those challenges shapes our worldview and our ability to live a peaceful and content life.
When we are faced with unhappiness from bad circumstances, whether it be a bad relationship, work problems, health problems, etc., we must decide how to address those emotions arising within us.
The default option is to do nothing and let the emotion overrun us. We get angry, sad, or anxious. This is if we let our “thinking” handle the situation, which is never a solid strategy. Unfortunately, this is also the path that is commonly followed.
But let’s say you don’t want to let the bad circumstance ruin your quality of mind. What then?
Option 1 – Make a Change – You can take action and make a change. You can choose to change your situation by doing something about it, making progress, or addressing the problem head-on.
Option 2 – Remove Yourself – You may be able to remove yourself from a situation. Sometimes, it’s not worth your energy to be involved in a bad situation. If you can, simply walking away could be a solution.
Option 3 – Accept it – For circumstances that are unavoidable, the only option may be just to accept it. This means you acknowledge that the situation is beyond your control and thus not worth causing you pain by overthinking it. You must simply accept it as your present reality.
As you next catch yourself unhappy with a circumstance, remember these three options available to you. More importantly, remember that simply letting your circumstances cause you harm by emotional/mental overthinking is not a real solution.