The storm will always run out of rain...

some are just longer than others.

Author

Rob Blades
August 21, 2024

Trigger warning - I go into detail about my Body dysmorphia.

Life can be alot like the weather… unpredictable, harsh, cold and desolate.

But it can also be warm, fresh and gorgeous.

Some days, it feels like the clouds are never going to clear, and the rain keeps pummelling down…no matter what happens.

But here's the thing—even the stormiest days eventually give way to sunshine.

This isn’t just a poetic metaphor; (Im not that clever)

But it is a reminder that in life, no matter how tough things get…

No matter how much it rains.

Brighter days are always ahead and sometimes it might feel forever but i promise it isn’t.

How do i know..?

When Body dysmorphia decided to rear its ugly little head at me and change the way I saw myself completely.

To the point where…

Anything i wore made me feel literal disgust.

My skin crawl and my mind say a million and one bad things about me.

The little amount of food i ate, made me feel fat almost immediately.

I had my step mum making me homemade soup… my “favourite” was carrot and coriander.

Just because i knew it was low in calories, and healthier then anything else.

I couldn’t look myself in the mirror, and if i did all I would see are my flaws magnified and how ugly and out of shape i was.

The ironic thing was i had a giant double mirror in my bedroom that functioned as a wardrobe.

Looking back I know my step mum knew something was wrong…

she just didn’t know what.

And I sure as heck wasn’t telling anyone.

Why am I telling you this..?

Because it felt like the rain would never EVER stop.

Sometimes, when we’re caught in the middle of battling our demons, it’s easy to forget that the sun is still up there, waiting to break through.

And trust me when I say it… Does.

Now lets get into today's 4-3-2-1:

  • 4 Journal Prompts: Reflect on your past, present, and future with a focus on resilience and hope.

  • 3 Creative Ideas: Spark joy and positivity, even when things feel tough.

  • 2 Affirmations: Reinforce your belief in brighter days ahead.

  • 1 Tool: A simple exercise to help you stay optimistic.

"Every storm runs out of rain, just like every dark night turns into day."

- Gary Allan

4 Journal Prompts:

  1. Reflect on a moment from your past: Think back to a time when you faced a difficult situation, mentally, physically or emotionally. How did you eventually overcome it, or learn to live with it, and what helped you get through that period?

  2. Current Struggles: Identify a challenge you’re facing right now. What small steps can you take today to move toward a resolution, knowing that the situation will improve over time?

    • Example: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, write about ways you can seek support from a loved one

  3. Focus on Gratitude: Even on difficult days, there are always small things to be grateful for. Write about three things that have brought you joy or comfort recently. ( I wish I knew this one)

    • Example: If a meeting at work left you frazzled, practice deep breathing exercises or a quick meditation before your next meeting to center yourself.

  4. Future Vision: Imagine the rain has cleared, and the sun is shining bright in your life. What does your future look like, and how can you start taking steps toward that vision today?

    • Example: Envision where you want to be in six months. What’s one action you can take now to move in that direction?

3 Questions to Unleash Creativity:

  1. Create a Vision Board: On those rainy days, it can be hard to see the sun.

    • Try making a vision board with images and words that represent your goals and the brighter days ahead. Keep it somewhere visible to remind yourself that the storm will pass.

  2. Start a Positivity Jar: Every day, write down something positive that happened, no matter how small.

    • On tough days, pull out one of the notes to remind yourself that good things are always happening, even in the rain.

  3. Write a Letter to Your Future Self: When the rain is gone, what will you want to remember about how you handled the storm?

    • Write a letter to your future self, celebrating your resilience and reminding yourself of the strength you’ve shown.

2 Affirmations:

“I trust that the sun will shine again, and I have the strength to weather the storm.”

“Every challenge I face is an opportunity for growth, and I am capable of overcoming anything.”

1 Tool to help:

Mood-Tracking App: A tool like "Daylio" allows you to track your moods daily, helping you to notice patterns and find triggers for bad days, so you can better manage them.

Ive just started using this and it encourages me to make the most out of every day

Stay Unapologetically You, Stay Confident, And Be Kind.

Robbo ‘The PVC Chief’ Blades