Overcoming Life’s Challenges is something i’m actively terrible at 70% of the time but somehow i’ve scraped together a couple of stupidly basic things that sometimes stop me from yeeting myself into the void.It’s January 2026 right now, i’m in my apartment with the heater making this weird clicking noise, there’s three empty energy drink cans on my desk staring at me judgmentally, and i just got done panic-refreshing my bank app for the fourth time today. So yeah. Premium life coach material right here.
Why 99% of Motivational Advice Makes Me Want to Throw My Phone
People love saying “you got this!” and “this too shall pass” like it’s a cheat code. Newsflash: when your car breaks down, your boss is texting you at 10pm on a Sunday, and your mom just called crying about something you can’t fix… those phrases feel like getting slapped with a wet towel.
But okay. After enough rock bottoms (i’ve collected like six at this point) i realized the fancy 12-step perfect plans were never gonna work for someone like me who can barely remember to drink water.
So here’s the ugly, unpolished, three-and-a-quarter things that sometimes actually move the needle.
1. The Five Minute Trash Gremlin Ritual (patent pending)
When i feel like the whole world is sitting on my chest, i set a timer for five minutes and let myself be an absolute disaster.
I scream into a pillow so hard my throat hurts, i throw couch cushions, i cry while aggressively wiping counters like they owe me money. Timer beeps. Done being a goblin for now.
It sounds moronic. It looks even worse. But somehow after those five minutes the screaming inside my head gets… quieter? Not gone. Just quieter.
There’s actually science about this kinda thing → look up “cathartic release” or this article on letting yourself feel the rage instead of bottling it.
(Also sorry i definitely spilled coffee on my keyboard while typing this, there’s a brown stain now. Great.)
Here’s roughly what i look like during the gremlin phase:
2. Make the Bar So Low It’s Underground
Used to think self-care was yoga, journaling, drinking celery juice, Overcoming Life’s Challenges the whole Pinterest nightmare. Now self-care is “i took my meds and ate a vegetable that wasn’t ketchup, we’re winning today boys.”
When you’re deep in the shit, celebrate the stupidest wins. Got out of bed before 2pm? Medal of honor. Answered one text instead of ghosting everyone? Nobel prize.
This mindset literally saved me during the worst six months of my life in 2024. Therapists call it something like behavioral activation i think? I just call it “not dying today.”
3. Find the One Person Who Won’t Try to “Fix” You
I have this friend Sarah who literally just says “that fucking blows” and keeps eating her Doritos while i rant. No suggestions. No bible verses. No “have you tried deep breathing?” Just presence. And chips.
If you don’t have a Sarah, record a voice memo to yourself and play it back later. Sounds dumb. Works weirdly well.
There’s even research that talking out loud reduces cortisol or something. I don’t remember the details i just know i feel less insane after.
The Half Step Bonus Thing: You’re Allowed to Be Shit at This Forever
Overcoming Life’s Challenges I still fuck up constantly. Two nights ago i panic ordered $62 of bath bombs at 3:17am because i thought “self care” would magically make the anxiety attack stop. Spoiler: i hate baths. They were still sitting in the box this morning.
