There are plenty of times in life where things aren’t going as planned.  There are those times when it feels like the road of life is an absolute mess.  During these times we may experience stretches where it feels like we have nothing left in the gas tank.  It feels like we are trying to drive the road of life in a vehicle running on empty.

These periods of life can be absolutely brutal to experience, and unfortunately there is no special secret to get through these times.  But here are a couple tips for maximizing what's left in the tank.

• Remember that these periods are temporary.  It will not last forever and it is important to get to the other side.
• Find healthy moments to take your mind away from the troubles.  This can be done in a variety of ways such as meditation, exercise, reading, etc.  Do something to give your mind a break from the chaos.
• Stay focused on solutions.  Do not allow yourself to dwell on the problems.  Look for solutions to get past the problems.
• Set smaller goals to chip away at the problems.  Oftentimes if we think of everything all at once it can be overwhelming, but if we focus on one step at a time it is more manageable.
• It is ok to ask for help.
• Believe in yourself.  You can get through it!

Running on empty sucks, and I wish no one ever had to experience those feelings.  One benefit that comes from these tough times is that it makes us stronger and more resilient in the long run.  It gives us a little more in the tank the next time we encounter a long road.