Getting Through the Hard Days
Originally shared May 1, 2025 in the Naked Sunday Newsletter. Adapted for the journal.
Vulnerability time…
The past few weeks have been rough.
Getting sick. Hurting my back. My daughter getting sick. Sleepless nights. Challenges on the work front. A few more curveballs for good measure.
And honestly? My mental health tanked for a bit.
I felt a little lost. Out of control in my body. Disconnected from myself.
Crazy, I know.
I went through something wild…
A normal human experience. (a little humor is good for the soul lol)
Here are a few things that helped me through it—things I’ve come back to over and over again when life feels heavy:
1. Zooming Out
Whenever I’m stuck in a dark place, there’s one question I always ask:
“What is this teaching me?”
It pulls me out of the pain of the moment and drops me into the future—where I’m applying the lesson this experience is giving me.
It reminds me that the pain is temporary.
It reminds me that it’s preparing me for something greater.
It gives the suffering meaning—and somehow, that makes it easier to carry.
Growth isn’t comfortable.
It’s a rite of passage.
For me, choosing to view this discomfort as the price of admission to the next level makes a heck of a difference when I’m going through it.
2. Empathy and Gratitude
Becoming a father—especially being the primary caregiver during the weekdays—has cracked my heart wide open in ways I didn’t expect.
When my daughter was sick, screaming through the night, and my body was exhausted and hurting, I kept thinking about all the other parents I’ve worked with over the years.
And I realized:
If I’m struggling with all the tools, education, and support I have…
How much harder must it be for those who don’t?
Perspective matters.
My wife and I, we’re blessed.
We have resources.
We have a healthy daughter (despite this sickness which is going to happen at some point).
We have a community.
When you’re drowning in your own exhaustion, sometimes the best way to stay afloat is to look outward.
To soften.
To feel empathy.
To find gratitude—even in the hard moments.
Appreciating what you do have and feeling love and compassion for others helps soothe the immediate pain.
3. Your People Matter
Vulnerability wasn’t always my strong suit.
It’s taken a lot of practice to learn that asking for help isn’t weakness.
And that letting people in doesn’t mean losing yourself.
Over the past few years, I’ve focused on investing in the right relationships.
The ones rooted in shared values, trust, and real support.
And here’s the truth:
It’s not a matter of if life will knock you down.
It’s a matter of when.
What makes the difference is the people standing with you when it happens.
During this stretch, I was more proactive than ever about opening up.
Instead of isolating, I shared what was really going on.
And the amount of love, encouragement, and practical help I received honestly overwhelmed me—in the best way.
It made the heavy moments lighter.
It made the lonely moments feel less isolating.
It reminded me that deep, aligned relationships aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential.
If there’s one thing this season reinforced for me, it’s this:
Your community is your greatest asset.
And the time you spend nurturing real relationships is never wasted.
I hope these lessons provide some value and help you weather the storm the next time you face a tough stretch.
Related reflections
Until next time…
Love. Every. Body.
