How To Rebuild After Hitting Rock Bottom

Hitting rock bottom can look different for everyone and can be triggered by various scenarios. It might manifest as life becoming overwhelmingly mundane and leading to burnout. It can appear as heartbreak after a breakup or another form of betrayal. It might be losing your job or the loss of a loved one. Sometimes, it can be as subtle as feeling disconnected from yourself. Regardless of the cause, recovering from rock bottom can be incredibly challenging. Especially if you struggle with self love like I do. Here are 4 strategies for rebuilding that have worked for me in my personal life.

1) Start listening/reading/watching something inspiring everyday

When you are at rock bottom, it is easy to get lost in the current negative thoughts swirling around in your head. We all know that mindlessly scrolling social media doesn't help with your mental health. When you are already feeling hopeless, it is essential to be more intentional with the media you consume. Delete your social media for a bit and start your day with a book or podcast that will inspire you. If not immediately, over time, this habit will definitely have a positive impact on your self talk. The more you invite positivity and inspiration into your life, the less power your negative thoughts have.

2) Have a Dream building Session

When you sit down to do this, don't put limitations on it. What is your dream life? What hobbies or skills do you want to learn? What places do you want to see? Experiences you want to have? What values do you want to live by? What does that look like? One exercise that really helped me when I was at a low point was drawing this out. On one page I wrote, or you could draw, MY CURRENT SELF and on the next page write, or draw, MY FUTURE SELF. On the current self page, right all the good and bad qualities you possess. Everything! And on the my future self page, write down the qualities and lifestyle you would like to have. This is a fun, creative way to visualize your goals. Once you've completed this activity, make a plan and start now to act as if you have already become that future version of yourself. Things will start falling into place soon enough.

3) Start or Restart a hobby that feeds your passion

Reflect on all the hobbies you have started or would like to start. Which one feels most aligned with the person you are striving to be? If you aren't sure, pick one that awakens a sense of passion in you as you picture yourself doing it in your minds eye. Start today and stay consistent with it. Here's a personal example: After my first breakup, I decided to try aerial silks, inspired by Queer Eye, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. During a time when I felt weak, lost, and alone, attending aerial silks classes provided me with a sense of inner strength and grace that I hadn't felt before. This experience was immensely helpful in my journey to regain confidence and find solace in a painful period of my life.

4) Start a Gratitude/small victories journal

Starting this habit will help shift your focus from what is going wrong to what is going right. Get creative with it. Get detailed. Down to even the paper and ink in our printer or the nail clippers you have in your side table drawer. You can even take this a step further and in that same notebook, write a list of things that spark joy for you. Write a list of values you want to live by, if you are feeling disconnected with that part of you. Write down inspiring quotes. Make it a little book about why you love yourself and your life. I tried this during a season of depression in my own life and it really helped me in practicing self love and compassion.

Rebuilding after hitting rock bottom is a deeply personal journey, and while the path may differ for each individual, these strategies can serve as a guiding light. By intentionally consuming inspiring media, you can start to shift your mindset from negativity to positivity. Dream building sessions help you visualize a brighter future and set actionable goals. Reengaging with hobbies that ignite your passion can provide a much-needed sense of purpose and joy. Finally, keeping a gratitude and small victories journal allows you to focus on the positive aspects of your life, fostering a greater sense of self-love and appreciation.

Implementing these strategies requires time, patience, and consistency, but with each small step, you'll find yourself gradually rebuilding your strength and rediscovering your sense of self. Remember, recovery is a journey, and embracing these practices can help you navigate the path with resilience and hope.