“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” — Robert H. Schule
Alright, let’s get real for a minute. Life doesn’t care about your plans or your feelings. It’ll knock you down, steal your lunch money, and laugh while you cry in the corner. But, you don’t have to become some hardened, emotionless robot to survive. In fact, the secret to kicking ass in life is all about balancing strength with vulnerability. Let’s toughen up that head and heart of yours without turning it to stone, Emotional Bootcamp time!
1. Embrace the Suck
First things first, life is going to suck sometimes. Accept it. Embrace it. Pretending everything is sunshine and rainbows is a one-way ticket to Disappointmentville. Acknowledge your fears and insecurities. Cry if you need to. It’s not about being weak; it’s about being honest with yourself. That’s where real strength starts.
Exercise: Spend five minutes each day writing down your raw, unfiltered feelings. No one’s going to read it, so don’t hold back. This is about getting in touch with what’s really going on inside.
2. Lift Emotional Weights
You don’t get stronger by sitting on the couch avoiding discomfort. The same goes for your emotions. Face those uncomfortable situations head-on. Have the tough conversations. Make the hard decisions. Every time you tackle something you’d rather avoid, you’re lifting emotional weights, building those resilience muscles.
Exercise: Pick one thing you’ve been avoiding like the plague and deal with it. Send that awkward email. Make that difficult phone call. Just do it. You’ll feel stronger instantly.
3. Create a Resilience Routine
Think of a resilience routine like your emotional gym. It’s a set of practices that keep you balanced and grounded, ready to take on whatever crap life throws your way. This could be exercise, meditation, reading, or anything that feeds your soul. Consistency is key here.
Exercise: Schedule a daily or weekly routine that includes something for your body, mind, and soul. Maybe it’s a run, a good book, and some meditation. Stick to it like your life depends on it—because it kind of does.
4. Be Your Own Best Friend
Stop being such an asshole to yourself. Seriously. Self-compassion is about treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. When you screw up, instead of berating yourself, cut yourself some slack. Self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook; it’s about recognizing that you’re human.
Exercise: The next time you catch yourself in a spiral of self-criticism, pause. Ask yourself, “What would I say to a friend in this situation?” Then say that to yourself. Out loud if you have to.
5. Guard Your Energy
You can’t be emotionally strong if you’re constantly drained. Set boundaries. Know your limits. Protect your energy like it’s the last donut in the break room. This isn’t about being selfish; it’s about self-preservation.
Exercise: Identify one area where you feel stretched too thin. Set a clear boundary. Maybe it’s saying no to extra work or limiting time with people who suck the life out of you. Start small but be firm.
6. Find the Good
Gratitude isn’t just some woo-woo, feel-good nonsense. It’s science. Shifting your focus to what’s good in your life, even when everything else is going to hell, builds resilience. It’s about balance. You can acknowledge the crap without drowning in it.
Exercise: Keep a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. No matter how small. Do it religiously. Watch how your perspective changes. If you don’t want to write them down, use your voice notes on your phone.
7. Seek Your Tribe
No one kicks ass alone. Find your tribe—people who lift you up, call you out on your bullshit, and have your back. This could be friends, family, or a therapist. Seeking support isn’t weak; it’s smart.
Exercise: Reach out to someone you trust and share what’s going on with you. Sometimes just talking about your struggles lightens the load. Don’t isolate yourself.
The bottom line, sometimes life is going to kick your ass, but that doesn’t mean you have to turn into a cold, unfeeling robot. Embrace the suck, lift those emotional weights, create a resilience routine, practice self-compassion, set boundaries, find the good, and seek support.
By balancing toughness with vulnerability, you’ll not only survive life’s punches but come out swinging. So, lace up those shoes, grab that water bottle, it’s time for Emotional Bootcamp. Your head and heart are ready to kick ass.
Jasmine Rice is a Transformation & Confidence Coach, NLP Expert, Best-selling author, and Founder of Good Things Are Gonna Come, LLC. With a passion for empowering others, she has dedicate/d her career to helping people transform their thought patterns, and thrive during life’s complex transitions. Through her integrated coaching business and supportive community, she equips individuals with the tools they need to transform their lives and take control after periods of transition.
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