One tactic for dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of unfulfillment is to understand the reasons behind the thought processes. Often we find that people experiencing a mental health challenge like these have not accepted their current reality. Maybe they are focused on the future or stuck in the past, and it leaves them feeling stagnant and out of control.
This may seem counterintuitive. Daydreaming and visualizing often make us happy, but that happiness is short lived and does not involve making any progress towards the goal. An irreality that is characterized by memories of the past can leave you trapped and unable to move forward.
Advantages of Embracing Reality
We often shy away from reality because it seems bad or painful. And in this very moment, your reality might not be ideal. But understanding that and learning to accept it can provide:
- Purging of Negative Emotions – People will often hold onto anger, regret, or sadness. This can be alright in the short term, but you need to accept that events of the past occurred and let the negative emotions around them go.
- Self Awareness – Knowing yourself in this moment lets you figure out what you want and where you want to go in life. Accepting reality is the best way to start setting achievable and fulfilling goals.
- Empowerment – Without negative emotions holding you back and your knowledge of self, you can focus on moving forward and improving your reality.
Instead of ignoring reality, understanding it as truth is the first step in curing the negative thoughts, hopelessness, and other challenges you may face.
How to Recognize Your Reality
There are several things in the way of embracing your realities. Difficult experiences, egos and biases, a resistance to change, and an unattainable goal can leave you living with blind spots and daydreams, and conscious steps are necessary to reframe your perception of reality.
Accepting reality requires honesty with yourself, although it might be uncomfortable. When you can be honest, notice the good and bad of your situation. Likewise, identify your mistakes and successes in getting where you are right now. These two steps help you see the reality, and also give you the knowledge that you are in control of your reality.
This second part is what enables you to use your newfound reality to your advantage. Because you are responsible for your current situation, you also have the control you need to set and reach new goals that will make your reality better than you were imagining it to be.
