You Are More Than What You Are Going

“You are more than what you are going through.” – Unknown

You Are More Than the Storm: Finding Your Strength When Life Gets Rough

Maybe you’re navigating a tough breakup, struggling with a job loss, battling a health issue, or feeling the weight of overwhelming stress. Whatever your personal storm looks like right now, it can feel all-consuming. It can feel like it defines you.

But here’s the powerful truth we need to remember: that storm, no matter how fierce, is just passing through your weather system. It is not the core of who you are.

Imagine a mighty oak tree in the middle of a hurricane. The wind whips, the rain lashes, and branches might even break. For a while, all you see is the struggle. But underneath that surface chaos, the oak tree remains. Its roots are deep, its trunk is strong, and its potential for new growth is still there. The storm is a temporary condition, not the essence of the oak.

You are that oak tree.

The challenges you face are real, and the pain you feel is valid. Don’t ever minimize that. But don’t let those challenges become your entire identity. You are not your anxiety, you are a person experiencing anxiety. You are not your failure, you are a person who faced a setback. You are not your grief, you are a person who loved deeply.

So, how do we tap into that “more”? How do we remember who we are beneath the surface of the struggle?

• Remember Your Roots: Think about the values that are truly important to you. Kindness, courage, creativity, resilience – these are the deep roots that hold you steady, no matter what’s happening above ground. Connect with those core parts of yourself.
• Recall Your Past Strength: You’ve weathered storms before. Think back to challenging times you’ve overcome. What inner resources did you draw upon? You have a track record of resilience. Remind yourself of that strength.
• Nurture the Other Parts of You: Even when things feel heavy, try to engage with the things that bring you joy and make you feel like yourself. Maybe it’s listening to music, spending time in nature, connecting with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby. These are the parts of you that the storm can’t touch.
• Seek Support: Just like trees in a forest offer each other some protection, lean on your support system. Talk to trusted friends, family, or a therapist. Sharing your burden doesn’t diminish you; it strengthens you.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself during this time. You’re going through something difficult. Treat yourself with the same understanding and care you would offer a friend in the same situation.

This isn’t about pretending everything is okay when it’s not. It’s about recognizing that your current struggles are one chapter in your story, not the entire book. You are a complex, multifaceted individual with a history, a present, and a future that extends far beyond this moment.

The storm will eventually pass. The clouds will part. And when they do, you will still be standing. You will have learned, you will have grown, and you will emerge with a deeper understanding of your own strength and resilience.

Remember, you are so much more than what you are going through. Hold onto that truth. It will be your anchor in the roughest seas.

Keep believing in yourself, friends. You’ve got this.