Finding Your Strength When Life Feels Bleak

21 hours ago
3 min read

By Karen Lieuwen

Life has a way of knocking the wind out of us when we least expect it. One moment we’re coasting along, managing the day-to-day, and the next, we’re blindsided by circumstances that feel overwhelming. Loss, illness, betrayal, financial strain, or the slow exhaustion of carrying too much for too long—these moments can leave us questioning our resilience, our purpose, and even our worth.

But here’s the truth: strength is not something you either have or don’t. It’s something you discover, nurture, and build—often in the very moments when you feel weakest.

1. Let Yourself Acknowledge the Hard

When life feels bleak, it’s tempting to push the pain down, slap on a brave face, and pretend you’re fine. But true strength isn’t about pretending. It’s about honesty—with yourself and with others. Allow yourself to acknowledge what’s hard. Sit in it for a moment, without judgment. This isn’t weakness—it’s the first step toward healing.

By naming what’s happening, you take away some of its power over you. You stop wrestling with “shoulds” and start dealing with “what is.”

2. Reconnect With Your ‘Why’

In the darkest seasons, your vision can shrink to the size of the problem in front of you. You forget the bigger picture—the things that truly matter. Take a moment to ask: Why am I still fighting? What or who is worth showing up for today?

Your “why” might be your children, a dream you’re chasing, the woman you know you’re becoming, or simply the belief that you were made for more than just surviving. Even the smallest ember of purpose can guide you through the shadows.

3. Find Your Micro-Moments of Power

When life is heavy, grand plans and massive to-do lists will only overwhelm you further. Instead, focus on small, doable actions that build momentum. Go for a short walk. Drink a glass of water. Make your bed. Send that text to someone who loves you.

These micro-moments aren’t just tasks—they’re proof that you’re still capable, still moving, still choosing life, even in the hard.

4. Surround Yourself With the Right Energy

In bleak times, the voices around you matter. Seek out people who believe in your strength even when you can’t see it yourself. Whether it’s a friend, a mentor, a faith community, or even an online group, find spaces where you’re reminded of your worth and your possibilities.

And equally important—distance yourself from energy-draining influences. You don’t need more negativity when you’re already fighting to stay above water.

5. Speak Life Into Your Situation

Our words shape our reality. Pay attention to the way you speak about yourself and your circumstances.

Instead of “I can’t do this,” try “I’m finding a way through.” Instead of “Everything is falling apart,” try “I’m learning to rebuild.”

You may not be able to change the situation overnight, but you can change the narrative you carry about it. And that shift is powerful.

6. Remember Your Past Victories

Think back to times when you’ve faced challenges before. You’ve already survived things you thought you couldn’t. That history is evidence—you are strong, even if you’ve forgotten it for a moment.

Pull those memories forward. Let them remind you that you are resourceful, resilient, and more capable than you think.

You are not weak for feeling the weight of life. You are not broken because you have days when getting out of bed feels like a victory. You are human—and you are stronger than you know.

In your bleakest moments, remember: the storm is not your identity. It is a season. And seasons change.

One day soon, you’ll look back on this time and see it for what it was—not the end of you, but the place where you found your unshakable strength.

Finding strength through health and wellness is one of the most empowering ways to uncover your true inner power. When you nurture your body, mind, and spirit, you create a foundation that makes you unstoppable.

To explore how you can build that strength for yourself, visit www.karenlfitness.com

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