10 Ways to Survive when Life Beats You Down

Life is a path. But, no one can say it is an easy one. No one can say life will not beat you down. In fact, it will beat you down. On your knees. And it will keep you there, if you let it. There I go again quoting Rocky Balboa. But, it’s true. Life is tough. Sometimes way too tough.

There comes times when nothing works out. There comes times when everyone leaves you. You turn around and there you are alone, even your shadow does not follow you. What do you do in a situation like that? How do you cope up? Who do you blame for the sudden downfall?

And then the billion dollar question is – how do you survive?

Not everyone goes through such darkness. Not everyone is strong enough to endure the torment and still live to talk about it. Not everyone is the protagonist of a bestseller. And it is damn tough being the Hero.

So, how do you keep your spirit alive when even God abandons you? How?

Write To Yourself

This helps. In times when unknown stars shine upon you and no footprint can guide you ahead, you need yourself. Writing is like therapy. It takes the frustration out of the system. It also creates a log of life. You can consult it later. Nothing motivates more than seeing yourself improving every day. So, rather than just talking to yourself. Write. Write a letter. Or, strike up a conversation with your own soul. Remember that heart knows. And heart never misleads.  

Quit Reading Horoscope

Hmm…we resort to reading horoscopes when life becomes one lengthy dark night. We try to find the flicker of light in our stars. But, the fault is not in our stars. It lies within us. Of course, I am not saying astrology is total bullshit. But, daily horoscope comes with its own peril. If it says a bad day is ahead, you will keep expecting everything to go wrong. And if it predicts a wonderful day, you will sigh in frustration and ask – where is that wonderful day? You get my point? Speaking from experience, don’t read horoscope. Don’t look at the stars for guidance. Dig within your soul instead.

Do What You Do Best

Hobbies can be a great diversion. When you can focus on nothing but gloom, turn to your hobby. Read a good book or watch a good movie. Even a couple of hours’ respite can work as a miracle. Allow yourself to heal.

Keep Your Goal in Mind

Have you watched Rocky 4? Do you remember Rocky pasting the image of Ivan Drago on the mirror before he began his training? Drago was Rocky’s goal. He kept his goal where his eyes would fall first thing in the morning. Do it. Write down your goal and paste it somewhere you are bound to look at. Nothing motivates more than seeing what you are living for. Everyone must have a reason to wake up every day.

Find a Mentor

A mentor does not have to be someone who is present near you. It can be someone who is not alive. It can be someone who lives millions of miles apart. A mentor shows the ways. Find someone whose story you connect to. Make this person’s life story your road map to follow. At least for a time being. Tell yourself, if he can, so can I. Of course, you can. You just gotta keep trying.   

Sweat It

Nothing takes frustration out of your system better than a good workout session. Ever tried sweating it out? Well, workout does not only help you slim down, it helps you think better too. Try it. Hit the floor. Or, hit the road. Choose your workout session. Eventually, you will get addicted to it. Better workout and sweat than alcohol or drugs.  

Read Motivational Stories or Watch Motivational Movies

Chicken Soup can help your soul. But, everyone is not a reader. If you are not, you can watch motivational movies. For me it’s Rocky 4. For you it might be something else. But, do something to motivate yourself. It’s needed, especially when no light flickers at the end of the tunnel.

Hold On a Moment Longer

It’s all about a moment. Just one moment and it might all be over. You never know. Yes, it hurts to hold on. Sometimes arms go numb, fingers slip and knuckles bleed. But, holding on is all we can do. Just a moment and that’s it. Life will become better again.

Don’t Bleed in Public

There is no point in telling your story unless you have made it big. When you have earned back your dignity, when you are driving a Lamborghini or an Audi, tell your story. People will read it for motivation. But, until then your story does not matter. Not to anyone. So, hold your tongue. They don’t care. But, you can make them care. It’s your life. Only you can make it large. Not by talking about it. But, by doing whatever you can.

Say a Prayer of Gratification

Yes, God abandons us. He does answer our prayers in silence. Even then show your gratification. Make sure to look up and say thanks every day. You know why? Because, at least you have a path, a way, a dream and the ability to make your dream come true. There are millions of people out there who do not even know how to dream.

You see, easier said than done. Yes, you might think so. You have the right. These points will not make your troubles go away. They certainly did not make mine disappear. But, these might help you give a better shot at it. Fight harder. There is no story in happiness. So, keep heart. Tomorrow will shine with better opportunity. It’s not how hard you can hit after all. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving. 

10 Things Only Writers Will Understand

Writers are rarely understood and reluctantly accepted in this society. They are either branded as too intense for their own good or they are labeled as insane. Not that they would mind a lot about what you say about them or what you think. With time they have learnt the art of being rejected and still keeping a smiling face about it. It’s a part of life guys. To be frank when people agree with us we feel the world is going the wrong way. Or, is it us going astray on our tracks?

But, you see being a writer is not easy. Building a world on nothing but a blank sheet might not require knowledge of rocket science but it needs brainstorming. A lot of it. Trust me on this. You gotta be a writer to understand the pain and pleasure of writing. Also, you gotta be a writer to fully realize the truth of the ten points I have summed up for the post.  

The first word is the toughest one

Umm…you ever stared at a blank screen for hours not knowing what to write? No? Well…lucky you. The first sentence is the hardest one to write. You have any idea how much time I have labored over the first sentence of this post? Of course you can’t know. And I am not going to tell. But, I have spent a generous amount of time to craft the first sentence. Fuck the sentence, let’s talk about the first word. It’s the most difficult one to jot down. Once the first word is there on paper or screen, the rest comes tumbling out. But, the first word can kill. Ask any writer.  

It is first word every day

Okay I am pretty unfortunate you know. Each day, I find myself at the same spot doing the same thing. Yes, every day I stare at the screen for a long time not knowing how to begin the day’s work. It is first word every day. And it is starting at the blank screen with a blank expression all over again each morning. When they say every day is a new day they forget to mention how hard it is to take the first step each time.

People are characters

I guess this everyone fortunate or unfortunate enough to know a writer, knows. My friends (the rare few) keep telling me to look away. Whenever they say something, I find myself leaning forward and devouring each word like a monster looking for blood. Everyone comes with potentiality to be in a story or be the story.

Writing is the hardest craft

  

Each time I moan about not being able to write something, people come forward to remind me I am a writer. Fuck yes I am. But, that does not mean I have super natural power. Writing is tapping on the soul and coming up with emotions buried deep and suppressed long. It is not morning pressure guys. Don’t expect us to sit and produce a masterpiece every time we touch the keyboard. Writing is work. And it is hard work.

Isolation is freedom

Every writer is different. Though we write about people and the world, we need to isolate ourselves to think and create. This, people don’t understand. And by now I have quit trying to make them realize the fact. They will never know what we unearth sitting at a corner, staring ahead. So, why bother?

Money is not the motivator

It is the passion that keeps a writer going. Appearing before the screen every day, knowing no one will read what you are producing, living a dual life and getting rejected require more than love for money. It requires unyielding determination to keep going. Or, maybe it requires unheard of stupidity to stick to it. Either way money comes secondary on priority list. What drives us is the sense of doing something unique.  

Middle of the novel hurts the most

  

Hmm…if the first word is the hardest one, the middle is absolutely monstrous. By the time we reach the middle of a novel, the glow of getting a fabulous idea dies down. And by this time most us get ready to haul our asses, if we could. But, it’s not that easy, you see. Until we see The End written on the paper, we cannot move on to another project. Like now, I am ready to write another post but till the time I reach The End of this one, I cannot quit. We are cursed that way. We cannot quit. Or, maybe we are blessed.  

Talking about writing is driving force

You ever dated a writer? Nope? Okay next time you do, be ready to listen about writing all evening long. Not everyone is same, but, most of us are. We love to talk about writing. We love to share stories of our success and failure. It is boring sometimes. I agree. If you are a non writer, you will look for an exit before long. But, it is our driving force. We bask in the glory of the craft. We energize ourselves while talking about writing.

Coffee works like wonder

I drink more than twelve cups a day. I need continuous supply of coffee each time I sit to write. My brain or my heart craves for the aroma of rich, freshly brewed beverage and my tongue demands it. Yes, I am addicted to coffee. It is me or writing I don’t know. I believe most of the writers will agree about needing coffee. It is better than needing alcohol or drugs you see.   

Insanity is bliss

Uh…insanity. Hmm. People lovingly or grudgingly call us crazy. I have been called crazy both ways. But, I don’t mind. Insanity is needed to keep doing what we do, regardless of the result. The result, my friends, is either rejection or mockery, whichever comes first. Do we stop? Fuck no. We don’t. Or, rather, we can’t. Imagination is insanity. I guess every artist is a little or lot crazy. It keeps us going.

So, that’s it for the day. Ten painstakingly gathered facts. Next hopefully I can be back with another post worth spending time on. Leave a comment if you feel like.