How to Learn To Trust Life in 11 Steps?
In life we all find ourselves in situations where we can’t quite see where we are going, or if you’re going anywhere at all. There’s no clear ending to the road you’re on.
Such situations can be, for example, a divorce or a break-up. You are detaching yourself from something that has been a big part of your world, and you have no idea what awaits. It could be something bad but surely there is something good to come as well.
The only way to find out what it is, is to take that first step, detach yourself and make your way forwards. Just as you have done so many times before in so many other situations, even if they may not have been quite as shocking to the system as a divorce or break-up is.
Initial shock is guaranteed but it will fade away and be replaced by life realities:
- the old and familiar ones
- but also new and exciting things.
Things that might have gone unnoticed when you were busy living your life through someone else. Here’s how you can get started on your journey towards learning to trust life:
- Recognize and Accept Your Feelings
When life throws you a curveball our natural reaction is to recoil and get defensive. This is totally fine. But the important thing is to make sure that you don’t stay in that state of defensiveness. Instead, take a step back and try to see yourself and the situation from a wider perspective.
- Understand that mistrust or fear is a normal response to life’s uncertainties and past negative experiences.
- Allow yourself to acknowledge these feelings without judgement.
- Journal about everything that goes through your mind: it helps with expressing and processing these emotions.
- Practice Mindfulness and Presence
Yes, I know, not this shit again! Sorry mate, you can’t find a way around this part of the process. Because learning to trust life is a process! In the first step you already took a step back, so let’s continue on that and focus on this specific moment. Simply because:
- Staying present can reduce anxiety about the future and regrets about the past.
- Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and grounding exercises can help you connect with the present moment.
Learning to be in the moment is paramount if you want to heal and grow. Don’t underestimate it!
- Embrace Change and Uncertainty
Many of us hate change. And that’s totally okay. But at the same time hating it isn’t going to do you any favours! So, how about accepting the fact that the world around you will keep changing forever more. And so should you. You might even learn to enjoy it.
If you in fact fear change, that’s the first issue to tackle. This may require professional help because what you need to do is to flip that fear on its head. Rather than fearing change, we must view it as an opportunity for growth.
This can be achieved by reflecting on past experiences where change led to positive outcomes. Even if the journey itself was challenging.
- Cultivate Self-Compassion
Step 3 is often the hardest one, so once you’ve covered that, congratulations, you’re well on your way! The next step in learning to trust life is to cultivate self-compassion.
Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.
- Recognize your efforts and progress.
- Be gentle with yourself during setbacks.
- Self-compassion can foster resilience and reduce self-criticism.
- Build a Support System
When going through healing or growth it’s extremely important to have people around you that you can trust. Learning to trust life is a lot easier when you have people to lean on, who support you.
So, make sure you surround yourself only with people who support and encourage you. Sharing your thoughts and concerns with trusted friends, family, or a therapist can provide different perspectives and emotional support.
This means, though, that you may have to remove some people from your life. Not everyone is supposed to stay in our lives, especially if they behave in a toxic manner towards us. You’re better off without them.
- Develop a Growth Mindset
Shaking off people who no longer serve a purpose in our lives is a hard task. But it can also shake us in the positive sense: it provides new perspectives and ways to look at life. You’re starting to learn to trust life when it still carries you onwards even when people are left behind.
Now you can shift your way of thinking to adopting the belief that challenges are opportunities for learning and growth. A growth mindset encourages resilience and the idea that you can develop your abilities through effort and perseverance.
- Celebrate Small Wins
My loves, I don’t often insist on y’all behaving one way or another, but I DO DEMAND that you start celebrating your wins! The big ones, of course, but especially the small ones! Doesn’t matter how small;
- if some mornings it’s extra hard to get out of bed, appreciate yourself for doing it anyway
- when Friday arrives and you’re still standing tall after a challenging week, acknowledge it
- once you hit 10 subscribers on your newsletter or podcast, invite friends over and CELEBRATE!
Acknowledging and celebrating small successes and positive outcomes is an important part of learning to trust life. It reinforces a sense of achievement and trust in your ability to navigate life’s challenges.
- Reflect on Past Experiences
Now we are already way across the curb. At this stage you’ve been through so much self-growth that you can take a little look backwards. But focusing on the positives!
Identify instances in your past where trust led to positive outcomes. Reflecting on these experiences can reinforce your ability to trust life.
- Engage in Activities That Bring Joy
Previously we learned to celebrate small achievements in addition to the obvious big ones. So, by now you should be aware of how great it feels to acknowledge your strengths and capabilities. From that point of view we can now consider what the actual things in life are that bring us joy.
And then we add a little more of those activities into our life. Pursuing hobbies and activities you enjoy can enhance your overall well-being and foster a more positive outlook on life.
- Practice Gratitude
At this point you are basically ready to graduate: you have learned to trust life. But to make sure we stay on this new path we must learn to practise and cultivate gratitude. Especially in moments when we feel like everything’s going to shit.
Regularly expressing gratitude can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s present and positive in your life. This enhances your overall sense of well-being and trust. A good way to practise gratitude is through journaling. There are specific Gratitude journals out there that you can check out.
- Find Meaning in Adversity
One last thing: you’ve learned to trust life, so now you can put that resilience into practice. When life is trying your patience, refocus on finding lessons or meaning in those difficult experiences.
This is extremely beneficial in helping you see challenges as integral parts of your personal growth and life journey. Not as something to lose your patience, time and energy over.
Conclusion
Learning to trust life makes living a lot easier. I know, I went through massive, life-changing challenges and periods in my life to get there. But you don’t need to go through hell like I did to get there as well.
By integrating these aforementioned 11 practices into your life, you gradually develop a deeper trust in life and the journey that is unfolding for you. Remember that building trust is a process that takes time and patience.
