In a recent post, I touched on the topic of slumps and setbacks. But what exactly defines these challenges? For me, setbacks have come in many forms: financial struggles, emotional lows, career difficulties, and health-related
issues. Through each of these, I’ve had moments where I’ve bounced back quickly and others where I’ve lingered in self-pity, allowing the impact to linger longer than I’d like.
Financial Setbacks: Learning From Mistakes
One of the most persistent setbacks I’ve faced has been related to my finances. I’ve made some poor decisions in the past—decisions I’m still working through today. The journey toward financial stability has been slow, but it
has taught me valuable lessons along the way.
Career Challenges: Jumping into the Deep End
I’ve also struggled with my career, especially when with my recent transition into a new profession. I jumped headfirst into a relatively advanced field without all the skills I needed, which was both exciting and daunting.
It’s been a steep learning curve, but I’ve embraced the challenge and have made some noticeable progress recently.
Health Setbacks: Navigating Physical and Emotional Struggles
Health setbacks are always another hurdle to overcome, both physical and emotional. There have been moments when my body didn’t cooperate, and my mental state was deeply affected. But through all of these challenges, I’ve come to realize something important: setbacks are part of life, and the way we handle them defines our growth.
Personal Growth: Overcoming Selfishness and Growing Beyond Childhood
As someone who was often spoiled and selfish as a boy—I understood the impact that these patterns could have had on my adult life. It’s tempting to blame our childhood or external circumstances, but the truth is, as adults, we
are responsible for our own growth and setbacks. Recognizing this has been a key part of my journey. It’s like chiseling away at a rock or sanding rough jade—it takes time and patience to reveal the beauty beneath.
Resilience: The Power of Perseverance
So, what does a slump or setback mean to you? The way we perceive setbacks can make all the difference. If you’re willing to give yourself grace, allow time for self-care, and weather the tough moments, you can always bounce
back—whether it’s immediately or after taking some time to regroup. The key is perseverance. Do you give up when things get tough, or do you keep pushing forward, emerging stronger and more resilient?
I understand how hard it can be to keep going, especially as we get older. Not everyone is taught how to cope with life’s challenges. But resilience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s something we learn through experience.
Life continues to knock us down, whether due to bad luck or forces beyond our control, and each time we rise, we become stronger.
Building Resilience Through Daily Habits
I’m constantly working on improving my resilience and spiritual strength through small daily practices. I call these my “dailies.” Some are simple—like learning Japanese or practicing piano on Duolingo. Others are more physical,
like taking a walk each day and doing stretches to improve my mobility. Recently, I’ve added something new to my routine: I’ve been posting daily updates on TikTok, sharing my crochet journey as I build my brand.
Even though I’ve only been at this for 30+ days, I’m committed to continuing because building my brand is important to me. It’s a driving force that helps me stay motivated, even when life gets in the way. Sure, I’ve had moments
where I’ve fallen off track—like last week, when work changes threw me off my routine. I found myself eating poorly and missing my regular HIIT group sessions.
But instead of letting that slump drag on, I made a decision to get back on track. I knew I had responsibilities I’d set for myself, so I focused on making improvements. By Monday, I was eating healthier meals again, moving my
body more, and getting better sleep.
Taking Action: The Key to Overcoming Slumps
The key to breaking free from a slump is simple: Do what you know you should be doing. The longer you put things off, the harder it becomes to get back on track. Time waits for no one—what you need to do will still be there when you return. I always try to remind myself regularly: The more annoying decision is usually the right one.
We all love the comfort zone, but when challenges arise, it’s easy to fall back into old habits that provide temporary relief. Unfortunately, if those habits aren’t beneficial, they’ll only hold you back. If you truly want to
achieve your goals, it’s crucial to push yourself to act even when it’s uncomfortable.
Stay Focused: Progress Over Perfection
What do you want to achieve? What are you doing to get there? Remember, there’s a big difference between being busy and being effective. It’s okay if you’re not always firing on all cylinders, but how long will you let yourself
wallow when you could be taking small steps toward progress?
The spirit of kaizen—the philosophy of making continuous, small improvements—reminds us that even incremental progress adds up over time. If you don’t improve every single day, that’s fine. The key is to keep moving forward, even if you stumble along the way. Eventually, you’ll reach the destination you’ve been working toward.