Learning to go with the flow
There will always be things outside of our control, regardless of how much order we put in our life or how many excellent habits we develop. If we allow them, these things can be a major source of stress, irritation, and rage.
Go with the flow. What does it truly mean?
It is coping with the challenges. Accepting change without getting upset or agitated is what it means. Instead of attempting to shape life exactly how you want it to be, it involves accepting what life offers.
Let us imbibe a few tips that simplify our journey of going with the flow.
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Not everything is under your control
At some level, I believe we all understand this, but frequently our thoughts, behaviours, and emotions run counter to this fundamental fact. Although we cannot control the universe, we often act as though we could. Wishful thinking won’t change that. Even the things that are directly within your sphere of influence are beyond your control; you can only influence a limited number of things. Realising that these things will happen is the first step. Not many, but definitely will. Every area of our lives will be impacted by factors outside our control, and we must accept it or we will be unhappy all the time. Think about this for a while.
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Become Aware
If you’re not conscious of anything, you can’t change it inside your thoughts. You must learn to study and observe your thinking. Recognize when you start to get upset so you can take appropriate action. For a week, keeping tally marks in a little notebook and adding a small count each time you become angry can be helpful. Just maintain tabs on the totals is all. You’ll soon become more conscious of your annoyance and rage as a result of that small action.
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As cliche as it sounds, breathe
Take a deep breath if you feel yourself about to become irate or annoyed. Grab a few. This crucial action will enable you to de-stress and complete the remaining items on the list. By simply practising this, you will have made great progress.
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Keep practising
It’s crucial to understand that you probably won’t be very good at this at first, just like when you acquire any ability. Who is good when starting to write, read, or drive for the first time? I don’t know any. Practice improves abilities. As a result, you will make mistakes when learning to go with the flow. Simply keep practising, and you’ll soon master it.
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Take baby steps
Bite off something small at first instead of attempting to swallow large chunks. Therefore, start modest when trying to follow the flow; pay attention to the tiny things like the first concentrating on breathing. After you have taken a breath, try to get perspective. And you might start with the simpler issues if, for example, your work problems are easier to accept than your frustrations with your children.
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Keep a journal
In actuality, this is one of the best uses for a notebook. Try to remember once each day what each of your tallies marks represented before writing about those circumstances. Why did you become irate? What were you attempting? If not, why not? Did it work? What might you try again? This form of retrospective reflection and analysis will help you draw lessons from the experience.
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Meditate
Do a daily review in your brain if you struggle to keep a journal. Take a relaxing break by doing some meditation, taking a bath, or enjoying a cup of hot tea. As you’re doing this, review and analyse your day. Stay calm; you’re only learning. Breathe deeply, then review each circumstance while attempting to perceive it from a distance. You will learn more effectively if you engage in this type of review.
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You can’t control others
Because they don’t behave in the way we want them to, other people irritate us. But we must understand that they are acting by their personalities and what they believe to be right; they will not always act by our wishes. And we must concede that. Recognize them for who they are, accept that we can’t control them, and accept the things they do. While not simple, practice is necessary.
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Embrace change and imperfection
We typically don’t want things to change once we have them in the configuration we prefer. However, they will evolve. It’s a universal truth. We are unable to maintain the current state of affairs. Instead, it is healthier to develop an acceptance of reality. Recognize that the world is changing and that we are a part of it.
Conclusion
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao-Tzu
