I have no clue where you are in your life right now.

You could be struggling through challenges that seem to have no end in sight. You could be living the dream and experiencing your highlight reel. Most likely, you’re somewhere in between.

Here’s what I know for sure:

Respect where you are.

Looking back on my life, there have been times when I literally had to take one step at a time just to physically make it through the day… or one breath at a time to mentally and emotionally make it through.

There have also been time periods when I simply didn’t get a break. The newborn-baby phase comes to mind. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly needed by someone else. I also knew it was fleeting, even when it absolutely did not feel that way.

So I tried to soak up the moments as much as I could.

There have been time periods, like my health issues in my 20’s, that were exceptionally difficult with no end in sight. We didn’t know what was wrong with my body at the time and the only thing I could control was my mindset.

During those difficult seasons, I focused on giving myself grace and finding ways to be grateful. I know… sometimes gratitude can feel almost impossible when you’re struggling. I’ve found that even in the hardest seasons, looking for something to be grateful for can help shift my perspective.

Sometimes, giving yourself grace looks like crying, screaming into a pillow, taking a long walk, venting to a friend, or stepping away from everything for a little while.

There are time periods it looks like all of the above.

Give yourself permission to be where you are.

We can become way too hard on ourselves when we compare our current reality to ourselves on our “A” game.

Please. Do. NOT. Do. This!

You cannot expect yourself to operate at 100% in every season of life. Sometimes the goal isn’t to thrive. Sometimes the goal is simply to make it through the day with some level of dignity, knowing that this “mess” isn’t forever.

Unless it’s grief. Grief lingers differently, and that deserves a blog post of its own. Although, even grief has ebbs and flows.

There have also been time periods of my life when everything felt like it was in a healthy rhythm. Life was smoother. I didn’t have to take one small, slow step at a time or remind myself to simply get through the next breath.

During those seasons, I focus on gratitude and reflection.

I look at how far I’ve come. I think about what I’ve learned. I appreciate the things I might have taken for granted when life was harder.

Reflection can happen in the low points, too… but proceed with caution here.

When you’re in the middle of a difficult season, it can be easy to turn reflection into criticism.

• Why am I still here?

• Why can’t I handle this better?

• What am I doing wrong?

That kind of reflection rarely helps.

Instead, try asking:

• What do I need right now?

• What can I learn from this season without judging myself for being in it?

• What is one small thing I can do today?

Life is made up of the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Some days are hard. Some are beautiful. Some are exhausting. Some are exciting. Some feel like everything is falling apart, while others feel like everything is finally falling into place.

Sometimes, you can experience several of those seasons at the same time.

Wherever you are right now, respect the season you’re in.

Give yourself grace.

Find something to be grateful for.

Take the next step, or the next breath, if that’s all you have in you.

Remember you don’t have to be on your “A” game to be doing a good job at living your life.