I’m not trying to be click-baiting or fear-mongering, but inevitably, in life, you will face a personal crisis or two. The crisis may pop up not due to any fault of your own. Nevertheless, it is your steaming pile of crap to deal with. At times like these, knowing who to turn to or where to start to heal and cope can be difficult.

If you’re reading this, you probably know the feeling of getting “that call’. The one that delivers news of an accident, a diagnosis, a tragedy has happened, and everything you thought you knew was now changed irrevocably. Or perhaps your crisis is more existential in nature, where you can’t shake the feeling that you are unhappy with your job, your relationship, or your life. No matter the type of crisis, there are proven steps to moving forward to a place of survival and achievement you can take.

As a counselor and survivor of a personal crisis, I have used these steps personally and professionally. They will help you move forward, even in small steps, no matter the situation.

Here are some tips I have used and recommend in order to best cope with the trials in front of you:

1. First, you must cope:

I know we all strive to live our best lives, not just survive. However, when a crisis hits, we might be crushed by disappointment if we take the perfectionist attitude that we should steamroll right through it. Personal crises pop up in life often to slow you down and teach you lessons. Before you can ponder what beautiful life lesson you are supposed to achieve in this challenging situation, you must first just focus on getting a handle on things. This may mean just making it through the day.

Coping isn’t something that just happens overnight. It comes with first acknowledging the problem and then accepting it. It sounds easy, but putting the emotion (often heartbreak, anger, and disappointment) into the mix can make acceptance much more difficult. In this first step, check in with your feelings around what happened and get a grip on them so you aren’t acting out of emotion. Then, you can think analytically and work logically to solve your problem.

2. Establish a new normal:

While the term “new normal” will forever make me think of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a perfect example of moving forward after a crisis. At the height of the 2020 pandemic, we could not just ignore it and go on with life the way we did previously. There was no ignoring this deadly virus that could be lurking anywhere. We were forced to make changes, although it was scary. The same truth applies to a personal crisis.

If you broke your leg, you couldn’t expect to go out for your daily 3-mile run. A personal crisis forces you to make changes to your daily living and routines. However, you can find “normal” again, and you will adjust. It requires planning and the ability to remain flexible.

Take stock of what and how your daily life must change to accommodate the needed changes. Do you need to take time off from your job, ask for assistance from family or friends, or perhaps find new housing? Brainstorm a list and revise it as needed. Figuring out what changes you need to make will lead you to the next step: gathering your resources.

3. Get Help From Friends or Resources.

As I said at the beginning of this article, we will all face personal crises in our lifetimes. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, you will serve as an example for others when they eventually fall on hard times as well. If you know a friend who went through something similar, reach out to them. You can also find a support group for nearly anything on Facebook or other social media platforms. Other helpful resources are your doctor’s office, local hospital, library or school, and local government.

I’ve created a pdf with links to various resources as well as actionable steps to take in overcoming a personal crisis. You can access it here.

Types of Personal Crises covered in this document are:

• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
• Physical/Emotional Abuse
• Suicidal Ideation
• Loss of a Loved One
• Divorce/Separation
• Health-related Crisis
• Financial Crisis

In the PDF document, I go into more detail on each of the stages listed above and give actionable steps to take. Additionally, I put in links to each state’s Department of Health and Human Services so that you can explore local resources available to you no matter where you live. Click the link above or download it from the LHCH homepage. This resource is FREE for you to download and keep, with no subscription or commitment required.

Also, as I love to read personal development books, here is a list of books that helped me get through hard times in my life: (amazon affiliate links are embedded)

• Rising Strong by Brene Brown:
• Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
• Never Finished by David Goggins
• Embrace the Suck by Brent Gleeson

The key to overcoming a personal crisis is to cope with your emotions while making an actionable plan. Focus on the factors you can control, and don’t be shy about asking for help. With hard work, time, and support, you will find your way to better times ahead.

Key Take-Aways:

1. Personal Crisis happens to all of us and can pop up unexpectedly.
2. Check-in with your feelings and make decisions from an analytical space.
3. Set up a new routine, adapted to your new challenges.
4. Seek help from people or resources.
5. Don’t be shy about asking for help.
6. Download “Overcoming a Personal Crisis” for more helpful information and advice.

I hope this post is helpful to you, and if you want to make sure you never miss another LHCH post, sign up for our Newsletter.

Comment below with your own tips for overcoming a personal crisis, and you may help someone else too!