How to turn your life around after a challenging phase
As human beings, we are all fundamentally flawed and susceptible to persuasion. For some of us, this can lead us down a dark path, eclipsing some of what ought to have been productive years. If you have made the commitment to turn your life around, then this in itself is an admirable ambition. It’s always worth creating a plan for yourself to give you some direction and to help you approach this life change more strategically.
Find a mentor
One of the most alienating aspects of enduring a challenging phase of your life is the feeling that ‘regular’ folk won’t be able to empathize with you. This is simply not the case, and you might be surprised by who will listen to your story and hear what you have to say. With this in mind, it might be useful to find a mentor. Working with local community projects is a great way to find someone who may have lived your experience. Talking to a therapist might also give you some indicators on who to approach. A mentor who has really lived a full life can give you real-life, practical experience.
photo ijmaki via pixabay
Fulfill legal obligations
It might not be immediately possible to leave your old life behind, unfortunately. Therefore, it is practically helpful to start fulfilling your legal obligations which may require you to go to court and plead your case. Even if it is something as serious as the importation of drugs, you can find specialist solicitor who has experience in this area.
Education
Sometimes, what leads us down an unhelpful path are potential triggers or temptations. Avoiding those is one of the most helpful ways of straying from a positive course of action. Giving yourself goals to reach in your professional life is just one way of doing this. Enrolling on an academic course or some education and training could be incredibly fulfilling for you. In fact, some people who have tried to rekindle their ambition after prison sentences have found the prospect of a purpose through education to be very fulfilling.
Make a strong list of reasons
There has to be a carrot at the end of this process for you. Why do you need to keep progressing with these lifestyle changes? What is your real motivation? Providing yourself with strong, inspiring reasons can help you to persist on a day-to-day basis. There might be days when you want to return to your former lifestyle, but the goals you set yourself, and your motivations for sticking to them, should keep you on the straight and narrow.
When it comes to turning your life around, there may be no specific moment that inspires this. You might wake up one day and come to the realization that you are completely dissatisfied with your current lifestyle. When you do start putting the steps in place to move forward, find help to aid your progression. Mentors can help you with any stumbling blocks, and going into education might be the guidance and knowledge you need to branch out into a new chapter of your life.
Author: Carol Trehearn
