Why is life so hard? 10 reasons why you think it is but it actually isn’t.
People often wonder why is life so hard? Obviously in individuals and specific cases, it is. However, there are many reasons why life doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think. Since the sky isn’t falling, take a deeper look into these ten reasons and see if they apply to your current situation.
Why do people perceive their life to be hard?
The world suffers from the idea that we overestimate the difficulties that lie ahead. The reason for this is that humans have a tendency to believe that there was another time when things were much easier.
In an attempt to explain why things are so difficult, people often look back at ancient times or earlier generations and say “people had it way better”. This is inaccurate but they persist on believing it because they want to be inspired by something better than themselves. Sometimes, it’s just easier than trying to deal with reality.
When it comes to personal situations like heartbreak or other adversities, people often wonder why is life so hard?
Even when things are difficult, people usually internalize them and then make excuses for the way that things currently are. In many cases, we blame others for our shortcomings and hardships, even though we have control over some of the outcomes. But blaming others will keep you unhappy in your current situation.
Here are 10 reasons why you think life is hard when it actually isn’t:
1. You are unhappy with your career choice
Despite choosing a career that you thought would make you happy and fulfilled, you find yourself yearning for something more. If this is the case, consider this to be a blessing in disguise because it gives you a chance to figure out what it is that makes you truly happy. Take some time off work, or start looking for another job as soon as possible so that your unhappiness doesn’t consume your entire life.
2. You are not getting the attention you want in your romantic relationship
Being in a relationship or marriage is difficult in the first place. Getting the attention that you need is even harder. It’s understandable that you would want to get some attention, especially if there are kids involved. However, demanding that someone spend more time with you or acting like a victim won’t get you what you want (and it will make things worse). Find ways to add value to the relationship instead.
3. You have been dwelling on a negative situation or something that happened in the past
If you have been stuck in a negative headspace for an extended period of time, it’s time to take action and make some positive changes. Even if the situation is out of your control, you need to stop thinking that there is nothing you can do about it. Like we said before: you can make excuses for things, but it will not change anything about your current reality.
4. You don’t know what you want
Sometimes we make mistakes and certain choices during earlier parts of our lives. But at some point, we need to make decisions about the life that we have currently been given. If you haven’t figured out what you want, it’s time to start thinking about it now. By figuring out what you want, your life will start to feel more meaningful and fulfilling.
5. You are unhappy with your current living situation
Do you have a job that you dislike? Do you live in a place that you don’t like? Or do you simply want more space, better amenities, or to live closer to your family and friends? If there is something that is bothering you that doesn’t seem to be changing, speak up about it. Ask for what it is that you want. It’s not going to help anything by delaying the inevitable.
6. You have made a lot of mistakes in your life
Making mistakes is completely normal. But if you have made a lot of them, it’s time to take responsibility and make positive changes. The longer you try to ignore them and continue making the same ones over again, the harder it will be on yourself. Take some personal time, reflect on what has happened, learn from your mistakes, and move forward with a better mindset.
7. Substance abuse
Many people think that addiction is a sign of weakness. But that’s simply not true. Instead, addiction is a coping mechanism for dealing with the pain and difficulties in life. If you have been stuck in a routine of alcohol or drug abuse for more than a few months, it’s time to seek treatment for addiction. It can be done safely with professional help, but once you begin treatment, never stop again – even if you relapse.
8. You are afraid of letting go of the past
Are there any people in your life that you wish you could stay in contact with, but can’t? Are there any jobs that you had been dreaming of having, but don’t have anymore? Are there some places or events that seemed to be going well at the time, but now you suspect that they didn’t live up to your expectations? Whatever it is, it’s time to start letting go and move on.
9. You wish you were happier
The truth is that being unhappy with where you are in life is inevitable. Life is a constant cycle of ups and downs. It’s impossible to be happy all the time. But you can do everything that it takes to get to a point where your happiness becomes effortless, even if it takes years to get there.
10. You think life is hard because of other people
There is no doubt that some people can be difficult to deal with. But for the most part, you have control over your own destiny. If other people are making it difficult for you to get to where you want to go, don’t blame them for making it hard on you. Instead, figure out a way around them so that you can advance in life and reach your goals in spite of what they are saying or doing.
If you are having a hard time accepting where you are in life and you have been trying to make things easier on yourself, you could be making excuses for your current situation. Consider the 10 reasons that we just discussed, and if any of them resonate with your current reality, change it now so that you can live the life that you always wanted.
Things you can do to see the positive things in your life
Understand that your perception of life – positive or negative – comes from your thoughts. Learn how to control your thoughts by adapting the right mindset to achieve a better perspective on things in life.
Make constant efforts to become better than you were before. Forgive yourself for failures and past mistakes so that you can continue moving forward towards your goals and achieve greatness.
Know what it is that will truly make you happy, and work towards getting it across the board in all areas of your life.
Explore your mindset, and how you can create a more positive one.
Attentive Listening – This is the practice of listening to someone while they talk without interrupting. Learn what this means, and how it’s an expression of personal compassion and care.
Mindfulness – A practice that will make you realize how much control you have over your thoughts, feelings and actions.
Visualization – Think about the life that you want to live and imagine yourself achieving every goal in it. Visualization will help you make the reality what you’ve always wanted it to be.
Exercise – It’s a known fact that exercise is good for the body, but it’s also proven to have an immediate impact on mental health as well. In as little as 30 minutes per week, you can experience these benefits.
Seek Out New Experiences – Push yourself outside of your everyday routine and try something new. Learn what this means, and how it can spark new insights and better ways of thinking.
