Trust the Struggle!
Life can be a serious of rock bottoms in my opinion. Hitting rock bottom commonly known as a point in life when someone has reached their lowest point. My personal rock bottom experienced that stands at the center of my mind is both embarrassing yet a pivotal part of my life. Hitting rock bottom can be used as a catalyst for the most positive change in our lives. A few years ago walking to my car where I knew for sure I parked it was no longer there. Baby, my car was repossessed after trying to hold it all together with a paycheck allowing me to barely get by. I had to just double check with a walk to the end of the block to make sure that I didn’t see my car. With no tears to cry, a broken heart, tired in my spirit walked back to my apartment and called my daddy.
“Daddy what do you do when you have no more tears to cry? What do you do when you hit rock bottom? If you know my daddy you know his advice was on brand for him.
“Well, Jee you can throw your shovel away cause you done hit rock bottom.” I had no time to even have a comeback. I simply said, “Well can you send me some money so I can get a Uber to go and get my hair done. I can’t look like what I am going through.”
Hitting rock bottom can impact people in many different ways from, finances, jobs, relationships, mental health crisis or even personal tragedy. No matter the situation, rock bottom is when you feel you can’t go any lower.
I have come face to face with many rock bottom moments in my life. During my college days like most college students attempting to find my way on the path we call life. Questioning my decisions I was making for my life, feeling the weight of finding a path to start a career while coming face to face with such deep grief and depression. Experiencing the loss of close family members rocked me to my core starting the domino effect of handling my big emotions of loss while trying to stay focused.
Years later my hitting rock bottom of making the decision to choose a better life for me in a different state. With no job, no plan, moved knowing I needed a chance. I slept on my aunt’s couch for 8 months with no job feeling so small in a huge world. I stayed with my aunt until I was able to stand on my own and move about the city with a sense of purpose. I pushed me in the direction to reset my mind, learn how to move through the feelings of disappointment, setbacks and what I felt was failure.
During these moments of rock bottom in one instance I felt as if I had lost complete control of my life. As I have prided myself on always being control of everything and everyone, my theory proved to be wrong and dangerous. My rock bottom brought about a powerful moment of clarity. I came face to face with the reality the way in which I was living as well as approaching life needed to change drastically. My rock bottom although difficult, brought about much sadness, and frustration it pulled me in the direction of positive change and growth.
No one wants to go through hard times. No one wants go through the fire. No one even wants to walk out to their car being repossessed, sleep on their aunts couch until you go through a healing season. A season of navigating rock bottom that can be a really lonely season.
Hitting rock bottom really isn’t the end for you. It can be a new beginning, a chance to start fresh, a path to a bright future. Hitting rock bottom is where you are built internally. May I offer that rock bottom quite possibly can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Embrace your rock bottom, better is on the other side.