7 ways to avoid fast forwarding through your pain

There are very few, if any, people in this world who like difficulties. Given the choice, most people would opt for the pleasant, easy path.

Often, when a person is confronted with a difficult circumstance, the temptation is to avoid the pain. This is what some refer to as fast forwarding through the pain.

We may deny the difficulty is happening.

We may engage in escapist behaviours.

We may self medicate with alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, eating, shopping, and so on.

The problem with this is that these behaviours do not make the pain go away. They do not solve the problem.

In fact, they prolong the pain and can even make our difficulties worse.
It is in difficult times that we can learn things about ourselves and the life we lead.

The lessons we learn in difficult times are not easy, but we learn and grow by working through them.

It is only by facing our pain that we can resolve it. The more open we are to working through the discomfort and pain, the more quickly we will resolve the difficulties and be able to move forward in life.

So it could be said that trying to fast forward through our pain only results in slamming on the breaks and pausing the resolution of the pain.

The following are the steps to follow in working through your pain.

  1. Acknowledge how much it hurts and have compassion for yourself. Try placing your hand over your heart and allowing yourself to experience the pain. Then say “ouch that hurts”.
  2. Remember that you are not alone in experiencing pain, and that it is normal to want to avoid it.
  3. Resolve to sit with the pain.
  4. Pay attention to what is happening in your body and your thoughts. Decide to be courageous and face what is happening so that you can grow and learn.
  5. Look for what is in the situation. Identify the bits that hurt and explore them. are there any messages in the pain? Is there anything that you find particularly difficult?
  6. Know that as you explore the pain, and work through the things you discover in it, your pain will ease. Finding meaning in your suffering is essential to recovering effectively.
  7. Allow yourself time to feel hurt, and time to reflect on what you have learned. Allow time to celebrate your new learning,

    If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you with resolving your difficulties, please contact me on 0409396608 or nan@plentifullifecounselling.com.au

    If you would like to learn more, I write a regular newsletter with interesting information, tips, information on courses, and the occasional freebie. At the moment I have a free mindfulness meditation for anyone who signs up to my newsletter. This meditation offers a way to safely explore your feelings and learn to be okay with them. If you would like to subscribe please click on the link here: http://eepurl.com/g8Jpiz

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