Navigating Challenging Seasons by Changing Perspectives

We all have seasons where we would rather just stay in bed all day and not have to deal with what the world is throwing at us.

A secret that not many have figured out is that if you change your perspective, you can change your life.

I know, I’ve been there. You’re going through one of your most challenging seasons, and then you open Instagram to see two friends from Wednesday's small group posting about having the time of their lives in the Keys of Florida.

It may seem impossible in times like this to experience any joy or hope for the future. The good thing is that it is possible, and there is certainly a way to change your perspective.

The truth is that what you see is not actually reality itself. Your judgment and reasoning behind what you’re experiencing shape how you view your life.

I was confused by this at first, so if you are, don’t worry.

After reading to the end of this, you will understand perfectly what I mean. You will have the power to see opportunity in your worst moments and see the top of the mountain when you’re stuck in the valley.

The Importance of Changing Your Perspective

Shifting the way you view life's scenarios is crucial to making the best during the worst. The truth is, we all physically experience the same reality.

While we're not omnipotent and can't be present for all the world's events, we are all present and experiencing the same Earth rotating around the same sun.

Why Do We Not All Have the Same Life Experience?

Why then, do we not all have the same life experience? The reason is that we mentally (consciously) all place different judgments and reasons on life.

Don't click off yet; let me explain!

We All Experience the Same Reality, But Process It Differently

Let me paint the picture. John and his wife are sitting on the couch watching the newest episode of Love Island. John happened to have a horrible day at work; he got yelled at by his boss for skipping over an important team email.

His wife, on the other hand, closed a sale and has claimed that energy all evening. While the drama of Love Island vis playing out, John's wife is watching completely content and happy with her life, while John can't stop ruminating on how harsh the tone of his boss's voice was.

These two are watching the exact same show at the exact same time but are having two completely different experiences of reality. This is true for all humanity; everyone has a unique perspective on life. God designed us that way.

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Knowing that your experience of reality is not actually true but clouded by your judgment and conscious mind is the first step in seeing opportunity during challenges.

The Quicker Your Perspective Shift, the Less Suffering You Endure

Once you shift your perspective, you'll notice how much unnecessary suffering your own thoughts were causing.

With the amount of overanalyzing and constant rumination your mind goes through, by default, you see life as punishment.

Almost everyone has heard the quote "don't believe everything you think," but have you ever explored what it means? In my experience, periods of believing every thought that has passed through my mind have only resulted in negative outcomes.

Don't take every thought as truth; most often than not, your mind is lying.

Being able to combat your thoughts and not let everyone dictate your mood will greatly diminish the amount of self-induced suffering you endure.

Once you get to the point of control over your thinking habits and discern true thoughts from self-sabotage, you'll start noticing an abundance of opportunities.

The Version of You With a Better Mindset Will Always Win

If the version of you before your perspective shift and after were put in a competition against one another, who do you think would come out on top?

You both have the same set of skills, same habits, and same mannerisms, but there's one defining difference... mindset. The version of you that has control over their thoughts will come out on top 100% of the time.

When I realized this, I never saw life the same. Knowing that my mind was the one ingredient holding me back from a better plate was liberating.

Methods I Used to Change My Perspective

1. Believing in God's Promise

Believing in God's promise of answering our prayers was by far the strongest catalyst for my perspective change. The Lord tells us in Mark 11:24 that "whatever we ask for in prayer, truly believe that we have received it, and it will be yours."

Go to the Savior in prayer and truly believe that what you ask of Him will be given to you. Do not take this in the wrong light and ask for a million dollars or for your next sports bet to hit.

Check your heart and make sure what you're asking for is worthy and not out of selfish ambition.

2. Meditating

Meditating has been a great way for me to gain control over my mind and control my habit loops. There are two types: external and internal. Whichever one is harder for you is the one that you should focus on.

If you can't sit with your eyes closed without your thoughts racing and new scenarios being painted every three seconds, then internal meditation is for you. If you find it easy to control your thoughts but can't focus on your external environment without getting lost in pondering and wonder, then external meditation should be your focus.

Quiet your mind, focus on your breathing, and meditate on being present and experiencing the natural state of just living. This will help release you from your negative perspective and help you see things as they are... natural.

3. Journaling

If you're anything like me, waking up without a wave of thoughts is nearly impossible. Writing down and organizing what you're thinking can be so beneficial in freeing up space in your mind instead of overanalyzing.

I normally like to journal in the morning after waking up; some would rather do it in the evening. There's no law that says you can't do both. Find a time when you seem to stress about life the most, and take that time to write down your thoughts instead of trapping them inside your brain.

Mistakes I Made That You Should Definitely Avoid

1. Relying on My Own Strength

One of the biggest mistakes that kept me from changing perspectives was relying on my own strength. I would pray, meditate, and journal without actually believing they were helping.

I would continue throughout the day trying to find ways to make my situation better whenever I was practicing the best methods already!

I realized that relying on my own strength throughout the day was holding me back. Believe that your prayers are going to be answered, let meditation have its full effect on your mind, and let the thoughts you journal stay pinned in ink, not in your mind.

2. Forcing It

Don't force it; just let it flow. I had no recollection of that at first. I woke up every day and strived with all my will to see the world in a better light. I lacked any grace for myself, which caused my outlook to grow even worse.

Already being in a struggling time, coupled with anger over lack of control, is not going to magically make you happy.

Once I learned to have grace and just experience without trying to persist, life started to get easier. The struggle was alleviated, and I found more peace in experiencing rather than just trying to control.

3. Expecting Overnight Change

A new habit takes roughly two months of consistent implementation to stick for the rest of your life. I was looking for a mindset shift in a few days, sometimes expecting overnight reversals.

Giving myself a due date failed most every time. You can't magically just snap your fingers and boom, you see the good in everything.

I would get so frustrated that some days I didn't do any of the methods I mentioned. Inconsistency caused what could've been a short-term battle to turn into a two-year war. Small consistent action will beat big inconsistent spurts every time.

Steve Jobs once said, "If you really look closely, most overnight success took a long time."

It's going to take time, but the good thing is time passes anyway. Future you will be so ecstatic that you decided to stay consistent even in the face of adversity.