Are you just "soldiering" on... doing what needs to be done?

Have you ever caught yourself marching in time to life’s demands?

You’re shuffling kids here, there, everywhere, and don’t catch a break until your head hits your pillow. You’re putting in extra hours at work to accommodate clients or complete deadlines. You’re caring for a loved one around the clock because their health has waned.

We have all been there. What you’re currently going through is a phase I call soldiering.

Before I dive into this, I want you to know that soldiering is not something negative.  

There’s strength in keeping that steady momentum to get necessary things accomplished and/or help others around you. This oftentimes means sacrificing some of the things you want to be doing or putting yourself second for a while. 

And that’s okay.

It’s okay because as you’re soldiering on, going with the ebb and flow of life, you know that this stage will not last forever. You know that your strength, your perseverance is what will carry you and others around you to a new chapter. You know that there will be a period of time when all of this will be over.

As you’re soldiering, as hard as this may be at times, I want you to keep these three thoughts in your back pocket:

Acknowledge you are soldiering

Soldiering is a process, and it’s only a negative thing when you don’t realize or acknowledge that you are doing it. If you’re going through your days on autopilot, you’re not fully present, and this results in being less self-aware and missing out on the things that matter most.

When you acknowledge to yourself and perhaps those close to you, that you’re doing what needs to be done, oftentimes, reliving the same pattern day by day - this brings some clarity to your situation. It also allows you to think about the outcome, which is often the reason why you are soldiering in the first place.

Practice Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is something many people do not take the time to do because we often don’t want to put ourselves under a microscope. It doesn’t always come naturally. However, by observing yourself during this process, you will begin to notice your behavior, reactions, and why you may feel a certain way.

Also, try to pay attention to how the environment or your busy schedule might be affecting you physically and emotionally. Understanding yourself better will help you make more informed and conscious decisions that can positively impact the quality of your life and your relationships, especially during this busy time.  

Take time for Self-Care

When we get fixated on helping others, we tend to put our needs on the back burner. Doing things for ourselves may make us feel guilty or seem less important during stressful times, but it is so important. Try to replenish some of the energy that's getting depleted. And, if applicable, restore some of the emotional drainage that's taking place.

Everyone needs a bit of downtime to recharge, gain clarity, and relax. Even doing something so simple as grabbing your favorite meal, taking a walk, or reading a book can help you feel better and ready to tackle whatever may come next.

I hope these tips will help you to cope as you soldier on and find comfort in knowing this season of life will not last forever!

This article was also published on ThriveGlobal.com