The Mental Health Digest - Having your worst week ever

Having your worst week ever

By Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate • Issue #257 • View online

Someone, somewhere, is having their worst week ever.

It’s an interesting thought.

And it’s sobering to realize that someone– or more accurately, many, many people–are in the middle of their worst weeks ever.

I don’t say this to to joke or to be glib about this serious matter.

I say this because this week was one heck of an emotionally draining week for me.

But I was able to manage my emotions and get through it by keeping some ideas in mind.

In the end, they helped me develop a different perspective.

I think they’ll help you, too.

Sometimes, you just need a neon sign to describe your week.

Speaking of Worst Week Ever...

To be totally honest, this was not my work week ever. Not even close.

I’ve been through open-heart surgery, serious mental health issues, relationship problems, and more.

This week didn’t come close to any of that.

But still–it was a week of multiple, seriously intense conversations, some of them back to back.

There were times that I wanted to put my head down on a table and just leave it there. For several hours.

But I didn’t.

I kept going and accepting whatever happened to me.

Because, sometimes, it’s all that you can do.

And I know, deep down, that acceptance is at the heart of personal growth.

I’ve never gotten anywhere by denying that something is happening or by dwelling on what has happened in the past.

The only way I’ve ever grown mentally and emotionally is through acceptance.

But how do you accept something that seems objectively terrible?

I hope you’re not going through your worst week ever.

But you might be.

Hopefully your worst weeks are behind you, but none of us know what life will bring our way.

That’s why perspective is fundamentally important to living a fulfilling life.

And if the perspective you have right now isn’t working for you, you need a different one.

I get it. It’s not that easy. I won’t pretend it is.

Developing a different perspective can be one of the most difficult goals you pursue.

But its value is built into its difficulty. Perspective change is worth the struggle.

Developing a Different Perspective - How to Do It

First, I chose the verb “develop” for a reason.

You can’t go out and buy a new perspective at the store. You can’t ask a friend to borrow one.

You must earn it. You must stretch yourself to take in new ideas and consider their value.

And then you must commit to the process of changing your mind.

Because everything good takes time to develop, whether it’s food or a work of art, or a healthy relationship.

So where on Earth do you begin?

Here are are some ideas for different perspective development:

Spend time with people you don’t usually spend time with
Walk around your neighborhood the opposite way you normally do
Drive somewhere and just get lost. See if you can drive your way out of it.
Do something that you hated when you were a kid. Do you still hate it?
Watch a documentary about a topic you know nothing about? What did it take for the people, systems, and processes in the documentary to become the way they are?

The possibilities are literally endless.

But what it comes down to is this: doing something you wouldn’t normally do.

When life is hard, and you’re dealing with something awful that seems insurmountable, you most likely need to develop a different perspective.

As the saying goes, “What got you here won’t get you there.”

When life changes, you need to change as well.

It’s just how it is, a simple reality.

But if you can get to the point where you can see your life in these simple terms, your life will get easier for you.

And you’ll make it through bad weeks.

This week?

For me, it was a tough one.

But then again, it really wasn’t so bad.

No one likes to be told they need a new perspective, even when they know it’s true. I’m that way. Maybe you are, too. But I always benefit from getting to know as many diverse stories and experiences as possible.

Jordan

P.S. How are you doing these days? This has been a tough year for a lot of people. Who can you forward this email to? Who needs to hear from you and your perspective?

Someone forward this to you? They must think highly of you and value your relationship. If you liked what you read, you can sign up for The Mental Health Update here.

Did you enjoy this issue?

Become a member for $10 per month

Don’t miss out on the other issues by Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate

Become a member

By Jordan Brown - Mental Health Newsletter Writer, Poet, Social Worker, and Advocate

The Mental Health Update is an inspirational mental health newsletter featuring authentic mental health articles that make mental health issues like depression, anxiety, OCD meaningful AND accessible.

This is different from typical mental health newsletters.

It's not just an Anxiety Email Newsletter or a Depression Email Newsletter - It's timeless mental health wisdom and inspiration to start your day in a thoughtful, uplifting way.

I was tired of other mental health newsletters blasting out generic lists of links. And I was especially tired of other mental health newsletters not focusing on the everyday reality of mental health issues.

So I decided to come up with a mental health newsletter I wanted to read.

This health newsletter is like a caring friend that just wants you to feel better.

Mental health awareness articles don't need to be all doom and gloom and filled with jargon.

With The Mental Health Update email newsletter, you'll get practical mental health information, tips, and new ways to view the world.

We discuss topics like anxiety, depression, OCD, the mental health to mental illness spectrum, social and communication skills, and much, much more.

This is what a few subscribers had to say about The Mental Health Update:

"If you haven't yet subscribed to Jordan's mental health newsletter, you absolutely should. It's chock full of good stuff to read and will help make your day better. Not unlike a daily vitamin for your mental health and soul..." - JR

"Encouragement from someone who has “been there” when it comes to mental health struggles. Comes in the form of stories and simple, actionable tips for reframing and working with - and through - your issues. One of the few newsletters that has survived my ruthless inbox decluttering sprees. Highly recommended!" - Kelila

"Jordan's mental health update is a welcomed email in my inbox. It often provides me with a chance to break from the mundane tasks of working in an office and take a moment for myself to hear his thoughtful and well put together thoughts on many aspects of mental health. As someone who works in the psychology field it's often a nice reminder and way of grounding myself to all the great work that's going on and the journey we all must take in supporting mental health. Thank you Jordan!" - Rob

I take my no-spam policy very seriously. I consider it a mental health obligation to not abuse your trust.

Tweet

The Mental Health Digest - Having your worst week ever

The Mental Health Update is an inspirational mental health newsletter featuring authentic mental health articles that make mental health issues like depression, anxiety, OCD meaningful AND accessible.

Mental health awareness articles don't need to be all doom and gloom and filled with jargon.

This is what a few subscribers had to say about The Mental Health Update:

Older messages

3 Important Questions--Risk Being YOU

Finding Meaning - My Simple Formula

Fixing one of the worst feelings I know

When I went to the ER for chest pains

"My life is over" - 3 Truths to Know

You Might Also Like

The Best Thing: December 24, 2024

Kim Kardashian's Holiday Blowout Looks Like Pamela Anderson's '90s Hair

Get a 'CLUE' Report If Your Insurance Rates Seem Too High

An Egg And A Shell

Freshly brewed microplastics

"sueño convulso (seizure dream)" by Urayoán Noel

Review: “The Invisible Doctrine”

I’m Ditching My Jeans & Trying These Cooler Pants In 2025

The Year Bisexuality Stopped Being a Punchline

Blake Lively’s Cleavage-Baring Red Carpet Look Was Basically Chic PJs