Healing is not a straight road. It’s a journey with ups and downs, good days and tough ones. And that’s completely normal.
Here’s a simple guide to understand and embrace the non-linear nature of healing:
💡 1. Progress Comes in Waves
- Some days you’ll feel strong, other days not so much — both are part of healing.
- It’s okay to have setbacks. They don’t erase the progress you’ve made.
👉 Tip: Keep a small journal. Write down even the smallest win — it helps to see how far you’ve come.
💡 2. Feel Your Feelings
- Suppressing emotions can slow down healing.
- Allow yourself to cry, rest, be angry, or confused.
👉 Tip: Practice deep breathing or journaling when overwhelmed. It helps release bottled-up emotions.
💡 3. Stop Comparing Your Journey
- Everyone heals differently. What worked for someone else might not work for you — and that’s okay.
👉 Tip: Unfollow accounts or avoid people who make you feel less. Follow pages that uplift and support you.
💡 4. Healing Takes Time
- There’s no fixed timeline for feeling better.
- Rushing the process often adds more pressure.
👉 Tip: Focus on taking it one day at a time. Celebrate small steps.
💡 5. Rest Is Not Laziness
- Rest is part of recovery, both physically and emotionally.
- You’re not weak for needing a break.
👉 Tip: Schedule “rest days” just like work or errands. Use them for hobbies, naps, or doing nothing at all.
💡 6. Setbacks Are Not Failures
- Having a tough day doesn’t mean you’re back to square one.
- Setbacks are part of growth.
👉 Tip: Remind yourself: “This is temporary. I’ve made it through worse.”
💡 7. Ask for Help When You Need It
- You don’t have to do it alone.
- Talking to a friend, mentor, or therapist can bring relief.
👉 Tip: Make a small list of people you trust. Reach out to one when you feel low.
💡 8. Be Gentle With Yourself
- Self-kindness fuels healing. Harsh self-talk doesn’t.
- Replace “Why am I still struggling?” with “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
👉 Tip: Speak to yourself like you would to a dear friend.
🌱 Final Thought
Healing isn’t a race. It’s a journey that unfolds in its own time and in its own way. Trust the process. Even on the hard days, you’re still healing.