When Your Blog Goes Bye-Bye
My assistant and I have a system in place for how we get our newsletters done. I write the blog, find the photos I want to use, get the quote, and then put it into a form. I wrote this amazing blog about how my community came together in Hurricane Milton. I put the information in the form, sent my assistant a message that it was ready, and then went to bed. This morning, I woke up with a message from my assistant, "I don't see the newsletter."
What! How can that be? I did the work, and now it's just gone? I stayed up an extra hour getting that done. It was there! What the Hell?
All these emotions flooded my brain, including disbelief, anger, disappointment, sadness, then acceptance. One of my greatest gifts is stepping back and seeing the big picture. And that gift made an appearance when I didn't ask it to. I realized what happened to my blog and newsletter is the same thing as what several people are going through with Hurricanes Helene and Milton, only on a much larger scale.
I'm in Lutz, FL, 10 miles north of Tampa, where Hurricane Milton was supposed to hit before it made a right hook and hit Siesta Key hours ahead of schedule. Many of my friends and colleagues are without power. Many others wonder what happened to their homes, cars, and the life they had previously enjoyed before these hurricanes took that away. All of a sudden, the blog that I wrote, which wasn't all that great anyway, didn't mean so much anymore. Once I saw the bigger picture, I knew it was time to accept what IS and make the best of it. I decided to write a better blog post about changing your attitude in the face of adversity.
Below are the steps people go through in times of crisis.
The Initial Shock
The first feeling is often shock. It's like the ground beneath you has shifted, leaving you unsteady. You might find yourself questioning what went wrong or if there was something you could have done differently. It's a natural reaction, and it's okay to feel disoriented.
The Wave of Disappointment
After the shock, disappointment and anger can set in. You had plans, dreams, and expectations tied to what you thought you had, and now the sandcastle you invested so much time into building got washed away. Allow yourself to feel this disappointment; it's a necessary step in processing the loss.
The Lingering Doubts
Doubt often follows. You might start questioning your abilities or decisions. It's easy to fall into a cycle of self-blame or lash out in anger because of old, unhealed wounds. Your thoughts fall into "shoulda, coulda, woulda." It's important to know that doubts are just feelings and not a reflection of your worth.
Finding Acceptance
Life is full of moments that come and go; sometimes, we hold on to things longer than we should. Life brings us many "hurricanes," whether a job change, a failed relationship, a dream that didn't pan out, or a real hurricane. Knowing when to let go is crucial for personal growth. Eventually, acceptance begins to creep in, and you understand that some things are beyond your control. Acceptance doesn't mean you're okay with what happened. It just means you're ready to acknowledge what happened and move forward. Trust your instincts, and trust the process. Take time to reassess and decide whether or not to forge ahead as planned or enjoy the side trip.
The Power of Letting Go
Letting go can be scary, but it opens up space for new opportunities. When you let go, you stop asking, "Why does this shit always happen to me?" "What did I do to deserve this?" You start asking yourself better questions. "How can I make the best of this situation?" "What can I do with what I have?" Asking better, positive questions will always lead to better results.
The Path to Healing
Healing is a journey, not a destination. It involves learning from the experience and allowing yourself to grow from it. As you heal, you'll find new opportunities and paths you might not have considered. It's about rediscovering your strength and resilience.
Embracing New Beginnings
When something slips away, it creates space for new beginnings. Embrace this chance to explore new possibilities. Life is full of twists and turns; sometimes, losing something can lead you to something even better.
Change is the only constant in life. Embrace it. When you let go of what's gone, you can begin to make room for what's next. It doesn't mean forgetting the past but learning from it. Each experience shapes who you are and prepares you for future challenges.
Once you decide to move on, focus on the future. Set new goals, explore new interests, and surround yourself with supportive people. Moving on is a journey, not a destination. Celebrate small victories and be patient with yourself.
Ultimately, it's about understanding that while things may come and go, your ability to adapt and grow genuinely matters. Keep moving forward, and trust that the journey will lead you to where you should be.
And just like that, my vanishing blog post led me to a much better blog! Thank you for reading, as I continue to send healing and rebuilding thoughts to those that lost so much these past few weeks.
