Showing Up in Hard Times
pix by Santiago Lacarta @pixabay
A few days ago, I spoke with a local small business owner. Although her work has nothing to do with government contracts, she’s noticed a significant slowdown, reminiscent of other periods of economic instability. Like many other people I’ve spoken with recently, she’s concerned not just for herself, but also for those who are already deeply affected by the changes unfolding around us.
Many people are wondering how recent government decisions will shape both our present and future stability. In times like these, people tend to tighten their budgets, cutting out anything considered nonessential. The ripple effects are hard to predict, and the weight of that uncertainty touches us all.
Living with chronic uncertainty is exhausting. Our brains are wired to predict what’s coming next based on past experiences and current circumstances. However, when the information is unclear or constantly changing, our minds can shift into overdrive. Planning becomes difficult, and speculation can quickly drain our energy. Grounding ourselves in the present moment and focusing on what we can control is helpful.
Like many people right now, I’ve been working hard to navigate all the unknowns. To stay steady and keep going, I've been leaning on a simple three-part framework to help me feel more grounded, connected, and resilient: kindness, tolerating frustration, and making time for fun.
I hope these tips help you stay steady and connected to what matters most:
1. 🧡 Kindness: For Self and Others
Kindness helps regulate the nervous system, allows you to feel your emotions without judgment, and provides perspective when things feel overwhelming.
See what you think of this:
Name your emotions. (“This is anxiety.” “This is uncertainty.”)
Use self-talk that’s gentle and encouraging. (“It makes sense that this is hard.”)
Offer small acts of kindness: send someone a kind text, smile at a stranger, or genuinely thank someone.
2. 💪 Frustration Tolerance: Doing Hard Things
Tackle the hard stuff, even when motivation is low, builds confidence, and frees up mental space. Small progress adds up and reduces overwhelm.
See what you think of this:
Choose one task you’ve been avoiding and do it for 10 minutes.
Break big tasks into small steps, and check them off to get a sense of progress.
Reflect afterward: “What helped me push through?” and “What might I try differently next time?”
3. 🌟 Fun: Reset and Recharge
Fun gives us the lift we need to keep going. Guilt-free fun helps reset and recharge your mind and body, especially in tough times.
See what you think of this:
Schedule fun like any other commitment, even 20 minutes counts.
Choose easy, satisfying fun (not everything has to be productive!).
Spend time with people who help you feel light and supported.
These practices aren’t about pretending everything is okay. They’re about building the emotional endurance to meet uncertainty with strength and compassion. You don’t have to have it all figured out to keep showing up.
