I know how it feels to feel let down. I know how it feels to feel like you just lost your last friend. When the world throws everything at you full force, I know how it feels to feel completely overwhelmed and just plain exhausted in every way.

How do I pick up the pieces?

Life isn’t going to be perfect, that is just irrational. I am a firm believer, through experience, that sometimes, when life gets so cluttered that you do not know where to start, sometimes you have to start over. Go back into that battle and fight even harder this time, knowing what you now know. The positive side to feeling defeated is learning your own weaknesses. Until you find out what is bringing you down, you cannot make strides to ensure it never happens again or find ways to make it a positive instead of a negative. Remember, you cannot control the actions of others, but you can control your own, and you can control how you allow that situation to make you feel.

“When you fall, make sure you get yourself back up”. – Sarah Sell

It is a good feeling when you have people around you to help lift you up, but it is a far more empowering experience to know that no matter what happens, you can get yourself back up regardless of who is or is not with you. When you feel alone in the world, this can be your greatest asset, to know that no matter who is around, you have your back. I learned this when I was homeless, and I think that is a large part of how I got through my experience mostly intact still. It is not easy, you have to really put trust in yourself and your own inner strength to help you, but it is definitely possible! This can also be helpful for when you have loving people in your circle or around you, and you still feel alone. I know that feeling too..

I have an amazing stepson. I became mom when he was ten years old, he is now thirteen. My husband is very supportive and loving, but sometimes, I still get this feeling of being the “black sheep” in the bunch. Recently, my son asked his father about where he came from, and information about his great grandparents and family. It was a conversation that I couldn’t really be a part of, fully, since I have no idea what happened in my husbands family other than little things he has told me here or there. It is a common conversation starter, “Oh, I must have gotten this from you, Dad”.

I’m not going to lie, it can be hard to hear father and son compare their similarities, and know that I have no bearing on anything genetics related. My son did not get anything from me other than what I have provided since he was ten years old. Period.

What I guess it comes down to, is that if you put faith in yourself, you’re never alone, not really. People can be people, just make sure you are yourself. The world only has one of you. The people and situations that bring you down, stop letting them! Empower yourself to enjoy your own company in addition to others. I guarantee you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You just need to see it in yourself, then integrate it into your life. People are going to be sh*tty sometimes. They will not always understand you, and will try to tell you how to feel. You cannot control that, you can only control yourself and your actions, and how you receive what the world sends to you. Make it positive!

~Sarah Sell~