“Break up with social media.”
5 Things To Do When Your Life Goes Off Track
Is your life perfectly on track?
Or have all your plans been derailed?
We all have goals we hope to attain, but sometimes life goes off track: illness, layoffs, and other unexpected events can disrupt our plans.
If you take longer than you expect to reach your goals, you might feel like a “late bloomer” going through a second adolescence.
You might feel anxious, discouraged, and confused. You wonder when you’ll feel like a “real” adult. You question how long it will take to reach your goals, wonder if your dreams will ever come true.
Fortunately, even when life doesn’t go according to plan, there are ways to make the most of it. Read on to find out!
1. Scrap the plan.
Of course you should have dreams, work toward your goals, or save money for the future.
But when you set a rigid, long-term plan that maps out your whole life years in advance, you’re asking for disappointment and heartbreak when those plans are disrupted.
Take one day at a time, and stay flexible. And if you must map out your future, have a Plan B … even C or D.
2. Break up with social media.
Like an unhealthy relationship, you might think you can’t live without social media. As with any other relationship, however, boundaries are essential.
Though it’s a useful tool, social media makes it too easy to compare ourselves to friends, coworkers, and celebrities. When you struggle with late-blooming adulthood, these comparisons are discouraging and soul-crushing.
It’s time for an amicable breakup with social media. Stay friends–not dependants.
3. Nurture relationships with people.
Difficult life phases can be isolating, so friends are more important than ever.
When your life takes detours, be open and honest about it. You don’t have to bare your soul to everyone; share your struggles with a few trustworthy, compassionate people. Don’t be afraid to let on that life isn’t going how you originally planned.
They may reciprocate and share some of their own difficulties, and you’ll both feel less alone. (After all, no one’s life is perfect, however it looks!)
4. Live outside yourself.
There are benefits to mindfulness, introspection, and self-care. However, they also make it easy to be self-absorbed and to wallow in your disappointment.
It’s time to get out of yourself.
Volunteer at a local nonprofit, invite a neighbor over for coffee, or email a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Try a new hobby, or take a class–even if it has nothing to do with your goals.
You don’t have to ignore problems or live in denial. Just give your brain a break. This can help ease anxiety, reduce stress, and give you a chance to make life better for someone else.
5. Use it or lose it.
When your circumstances aren’t ideal, it’s easy to just wish the present away as you work toward the future. But you could miss the chance to learn from–and even enjoy–the here and now.
It may take a little creative thinking, but it’s worth it.
If you’re working hard to find a new job, for example, take some time to really think about what you’re learning in the process. Is there a way you could share your experience and teach others?
Reach out to others in similar circumstances. Think about what you can do with your time now. Not only will you help someone else, but you’ll feel less isolated. You might even find yourself enjoying the present after all!
If life goes off track don’t worry.
Humans are not plants. We don’t have specific seasons in which we grow and bloom. Everyone is different in how long they take to blossom, and what that blossoming even looks like.
When you do finally achieve your goals, how will you look back on this time?
Will you remember it as a time of discouraged moping and miserable waiting?
Or will you remember it proudly as a time of growth and learning?
The present is not just something to endure–it is the only time we really have. Let’s get out there and make it worthwhile!
Emily Jacobs
Emily Jacobs is a freelance writer and content marketer living in Northwest Ohio with her bearded dragon, Aravis. When she’s not working for clients or writing for her website EmSpeaks.comshe enjoys cooking, road trips, jogging, and reading morbid history.
“Sit back… with a quick snack… re-read – – you are now catching on – – to bigger and better ways to focus on the real LIFE!”
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“I Find you – A Day Late and a Dollar Short”
“Isn’t it terrific – – when you finally find… what you are looking for?” “I knew that I had a PHOTO of little baby “ALAN” – – but … you know how easy it is – – for just one little PHOTO – – to be somewhere – – where you would never expect – – to find it?”
“A first Grand-child”… a “GRAND-Son”… “ALAN” – – “WOW” – – and more “WOW…eees”
“All the wonderful “GIFTS” that we receive here on EARTH… have been planned for us to receive – – way before anything was ever created by the Almighty.”
“I am very grateful and most THANKFUL to be where I am now and that in all of this time… that – – I have so far spent here on EARTH – – as we are all… only a part of a bigger and better purpose – – with this journey here and now – – to end with a more glorious future together… for all ETERNITY.”
“Here is that wonderful smile – – the one that I LOVE – – just so glad that “Alan” was not afraid to have his PHOTO taken – – some small children – – for some reason – – start to cry – – and carry on – – you would almost think – – that they think – – they are at the “Doctor’s” office.”
The children… when small… have to be all dressed up to go to the “Doctor’s Office” – – and then… without a word – – receive a “shot” in the arm. – – – With a surprise like that… I think that I would start to cry – – and maybe even holler… loud enough to let he WORLD know – – that someone hurt me!
“Does this look like “BOYS’ NIGHT OUT” – – or what?”
“HOLD UP” on the eating – – you are now on candid camera” – – “WOW” – – Just a few PHOTOS – – to keep track of how “TIME” flies – – when you are having FUN – – and when you are getting bigger – – just doing what comes natural – – “growing up” – – one years at a time. Nothing like a PHOTO taken – – from time to time – – just to show the smile is still the best smile – – It is the smile that I LOVE – – “Alan is… ‘A-Number -One’ … in my book!” DV
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“Betty Musgrove and Classmates”
“Sometimes a PICTURE” … “is worth a thousand words.” For instance this Photo of us girls – – we did a performance of “Meet Me in St.Louis” on the stage in the Auditorium – – and for advertising this “show” – – may as well have us all dressed up… pose somewhere on the grounds – – and what a terrific place at the “St. Bernadette Grotto” – – with each of us girls finding a place to pose and just look beautiful.
Some of the girls in the above photo are below – – and in the Graduating Class of 1952. – – If you have real good eyes – – you just may be able to figure out – – “who” is “WHO” – – as the names of the graduates – – just could help?
In yesterdays’ story – – I mention that “Betty Musgrove” was in my ‘GRADUATING’ Class – – and there she is – – taking a PHOTO of “Beverly Porter” standing next to me. I am the taller girl and have a walking stick in my right hand – – can you believe that … today… with both hips replaced and two back surgeries… I walk with a cane. How’s that for some kind of premonition of things to come???
Just a quick thought… take a look at how long my hair is. I was letting my hair grow long for “GRADUATION DAY” – – and what you see on this PHOTO did take longer than six months. Evidently… the NUNS did not want that to happen. So… in January of 1952 the NUNS told me that if I have the “HAIR” cut in the getting of a “PERMANENT ” – – that they would pay for the permanent – – and pay for the bus fare to go to the “RAGSDALE BEAUTY SHOP” – – and I said I wanted long hair for graduation – – and they said – – “Your hair grows so fast… it will be just as long as it is NOW – – in JUNE!”
Just compare my PHOTOS – – this one… with the one above – – there is no way – – and… even if I had access to VITAMINS – – in the 1950’s – – hair just does not grow that fast.
They must have had an ” ulterior motive” – – why the deception – – actually the money that they were paying out for this permanent – – came out of what they were receiving from my FATHER’s PENSION – – since they were receiving the Pension for over a year – – even long after… I graduated and was living at home with my MOTHER. I have the COURT DOCUMENTS – – that my MOTHER received – – –
“Sometimes when you just sit back and give a thought to what was said and done – – you find that LIFE is a comedy of errors!” “It is worth a good LAUGH!”
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“WHO”… “Do You Know?”
In 1942 – 1943 – 1944 – – America was at WAR – WWII – – and GUARDS were needed everywhere. This PHOTO was taken in that time frame of time – – as I remember my DAD getting all dressed up for work and looked like a “POLICEMAN” to me.
For years this “PHOTO” hung on a wall in the house we had – – back then – – in North Saint Louis – – and as most pictures of people – – in nice frames – – and hanging on walls – – people just walk by – – and never stop to ask about “who” these people are – – and the pictures get moved to here and there – – as “special relics” – – but… to make inquiries – – so as to keep everyone on their toes – – as to “WHO” is “THIS”… hanging on your “WALL” – – and are they still alive or maybe deceased?
The above facility is in “Illinois” – – maybe East St. Louis – – if… I heard the name… I’d remember – – but… what I do remember is this… Some years after this – – when I was in the ‘Orphanage’ with my brothers – – there was another ‘Family of children’… Charles and or a TOM – – and Joan, Mary, Betty Jean and Dottie Musgrove. ‘Betty Jean’ was in my grade with me – – from the second grade till graduation day in 1952 – – and while there… on some odd occasion – – what exactly can not say – – but… the subject came up that “Mr. Musgrove” – – Betty Jean’s “DAD” worked at the same place/location – – as my “DAD,” Mr. McClarren.
“So WHAT” – – I can hear “YOU” saying – – “WHAT is so strange about that???” – – “NOTHING… that alone – – but, there is always more to the story.”
“Orphans” FATHERS – – work for the same Installation in Illinois and their daughters work for the same Company in Missouri.” I only worked for the “Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.” – – FIVE ( 5 ) different times Missouri, and in Florida at the Miami and then the Fort Lauderdale location. When working for the telephone company in downtown St.LOUIS – – Betty Musgrove was working there , too. Some years later… when my husband needed to be operated on here in St.Louis – – we drove here from Florida – – where our home was – – – – had to rent a house here in St.Louis – – – – – and I figured I may as well be working – – so the “Telephone Co.” hired me back, again. At this location… “Toll” and or “Long Distance” – – “who” do I run into.. only.. “Mary Musgrove” – – – and we were working the year same “DAY” that everyone knows where and what they were doing – – and that was the “NOVEMBER” that “President John F. Kennedy” was shot in Texas.
So… where were you… and what were you doing… and did you ever work at the same location – – as with … one of your old “grade school” class-mates – – how was the experience???
“This story has lots more – – ask questions – – and we will tell you… all those extra good parts – – left out for the time being – – but – – we will add them in… as we go…” DV
“Does this “PHOTO” – – help?”
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“Denny is NOW by the SEASHORE”
“I sure am glad … that Mom took this PHOTO of “DENNY and ME” – – when he came home for his first Leave. I was working for “Krey Packing Co.” in the bookkeeping section – – and as an employee – – was allowed to have a discount on one of their very best whole HAMS!” “That is what I have in my hand while talking to DENNY – – just had to try a sample – – and since we were having such a good time – – MOM took this shot of us – – and this has been one of my favorite PHOTOS – – because DENNY is so happy and he has that “million dollar” smile.
“I only wish that – – I would have had “color film” in the camera – – that way you would see just how “IRISH” DENNY is – – beautiful shade of red hair – – and freckles – – ‘United States Army’ uniform – – and always a meticulous dresser – – and that “smile” would melt any one – – just to get to know him.
This is in the mid 1940’s – – at the “Fairgrounds Park” and for this PHOTO of us… taken by Mama – – I am most grateful – – It is with some of these old PHOTOS – – that I can see and remember – – back to those days – – when we had so much FUN – — and am so THANKFUL to Almighty Yahweh – – that He gave us a terrific FAMILY – – with many memories… that will last forever.
The music is especially for “DENNY” since he was living in Florida – with his boat docked – – just past the back yard – – able to enjoy the “Seashore” – – and all the fruits of his labor – – here on earth – – but… NOW – – Denny is enjoying a much better place – – home with his CREATOR! D.V.
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“Send Mail to “DENNY”on Cloud 9”
After following your “road map” for your designated TIME – – to be here… on EARTH – – if you are unfamiliar with reading the “Life Road Signs” that are – – for just you and only you – – – while here on EARTH – – check out your BIBLE… open it and get the “Spiritual WISDOM” you need to make this journey… a true success … in finding that “Seventh Heaven” – – as you see below is “DENNY McClarren” – – he followed the correct road – – he NOW resides on “Cloud NINE” – – and is truly enjoying being in the “CLOUD NINE” section!
“When we also arrive to be with “Denny” someday… soon – – we will surely know “De De” – – as that is how I used to say his name as a very young child – – – – We will know “De De” by that wonderful smile – – and that wonderful shade of red hair – – always wished that I had it – – and all those “freckles” – – another thing that I did not receive – – “Denny” just got the map of “Ireland” a true “Irishman” – – if I say so… myself!
“When you see those “true BLUE skies” rolling by… “WAVE” – – and holler as loud as you can…”I see you… DENNY!” – -“I find you… on “CLOUD NINE!”
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