Powering Through

We have all had times when something comes up – another errand, a headache or minor injury, a bill we cannot pay – and we declare that we are “just going to power through”. The notion of “powering through” is one that can be healthy, so long as we are able to do it in conjunction with a positive mindset. Generally, the term means to rally one’s energy and resources to take on and overcome a personal challenge. Ensuring that we maintain self-confidence and resilience during the difficulties that bring about the need to push through can build additional levels of efficacy – the belief that we can accomplish those things that we set out to do.

The potential for things to take a negative turn arises when we “power through” too many things for which we are not responsible, events and projects that we unnecessarily take on, and when we press on without taking any time for self-care or activities that fulfill us. Those things that we can do to care for ourselves as we go about our to-do lists can be as simple as getting your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverage while you are running errands, listening to music that uplifts you as you do your daily tasks, putting a check mark next to the item on the honey-do list to give yourself credit for getting it done. Certainly, self-care can be more substantial and more involved, like getting a massage, going out to a fancy dinner, or hiring a maid to clean up after an upcoming soirée. Whatever satisfies your need for personal care, pursue those things that provide the most benefit for you with the least short- and long-term costs or consequences.

The holiday season is sometimes one of those times that we “power through”. We deal with the crowds and the stress and the expenses and the decorating and the get-togethers and the low temperatures and all of the many other things that come up that create pressure or tension or struggles. “Powering through” does not mean getting things done at the expense of your well-being. Rather, it is about marshaling our resources, finding the positive in what we are working to accomplish and what we will get out of completing the task, and making sure that there is still time and energy for ourselves before, during, or after the job is done. “Power through” when it must be done, and make sure that you are there, intact and satisfied, when it is finished.

Written by Eric Gustavson, LPC, NCC, CFRC
Eric specializes in supporting individuals who are First Responders, experiencing depression and overcoming trauma.