Breakdowns Can Lead To Breakthroughs | 11.02.2021

Have you ever felt like you were going to have a breakdown or actually experienced one? How did you handle it? Did you learn from it? Often breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs. They can lead us down a path to better understanding ourselves and our emotions. At first, we can feel out-of-control and overwhelmed with our feelings of despair and anxiety.  It’s hard to see that what we are going through is often a gift wrapped in a not-so-pretty package. 

A breakdown can remind us to slow down, regroup, take a breath and look at other possibilities. It can be a time of remembering what is really important and letting go of what’s not.  

In other words, what if we could see the good that can come out of challenges and know that we can learn, grow and evolve from them? In order to shift from despair to gratitude, we must first give ourselves permission to experience our emotions and remind ourselves we are going to, ultimately, be stronger. 

There are many healthy ways to shift from breakdown to having a breakthrough. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Take a deep breath and slow down: Stop, breathe and ask yourself what really matters to you. 
• Identify your feelings and sit with them: We often fight breakdowns, which makes them more painful and terrifying. We have a choice. We can choose to stay stuck or we can try and find gratitude in what is being uncovered. 
• Talk to someone you trust: It can help to process and share what we are going through. Being vulnerable with a safe and healthy person can lead to reduced anxiety and more connection.
• Journal: Write, draw or sketch what you are feeling and experiencing. Ask, “What can I learn from this situation?” 
• Exercise: It can be as simple as taking a walk outside. Or, it might be running, yoga, Zumba or playing a sport. Find what you enjoy and works for you.
• Ask for help or support:  Sometimes we have this idea that asking for help is a sign of weakness; however, it’s the opposite. It is a sign of strength and courage.

So, when you are experiencing what feels like a breakdown, slow down and remember what matters - YOU. Maybe, this is exactly what you needed to make a positive change.  

-Kristen D Boice M.A., LMFT, EMDR Trained

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