Rock-bottom; it’s a cliche term we often use to describe that moment in our lives when everything falls apart. A person unfortunate enough to find themselves in this situation can easily be overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness and despair at what seems to be their own personal Armageddon. As someone who has been there myself, I understand to the fullest what it’s like and hope that this article will inspire all who read it. My purpose in writing this isn’t to talk about myself, but to provide a little practical advice I’ve learned through hard experience. This article definitely doesn’t have all the answers, but if you find yourself reading it, it’s as good a place as any to start looking for some of them.

Lets begin with a few different scenarios; maybe you lost your job, or your house, or even going through a divorce…Hell, maybe all three for that matter. Whatever the case may be, one thing should be clear to you by now: You’ve screwed up, and there’s no going back. From here there are two obvious choices for you to make; You can either move on, or stay where you’re at and continue being miserable. It really is that cut and dry, and as messed up as that is, that’s the reality. Hitting rock-bottom is a horrible experience, but on the other hand, it can give you the perspective you need to start a new life. This is because it rips the “rose colored” from your eyes and allows you to see yourself, and those around you in an objective way. Besides, you’ve already sunk to your lowest point (hopefully), so there’s literally nowhere to go from here but up! You just have to recognize the oppurtunity, and get your butt moving. At this point, the question might arise, “How does someone begin to move on, when they have no clue where to start in the first place?” The truth is, that although the first step is the most obvious, it’s also the most overlooked, and hardest one to take. This is because it means we have to let go of the past,which as humon beings, is something we’re not willing to do alot of times. The past, no matter how much pain is there for us, is familiar, so we like to cling to it. But this is exactly what you have to do if you are ever to make meaningful, and lasting change in your life. Letting go is the most critical step of all because it provides the mental space, and clarity, needed to learn from your mistakes. This is very different from brooding however, so don’t get it confused. Remember, this is a time to learn, not to agonize over the “shoulda-woulda’s”!! Begin looking for your mistakes simply as instructions for what not to do the next time, and heck, once you’ve figured that out the job’s almost half way done! Now all you have to figure out is where to move from there.

Setting life goals in the long, and short term, is a great way to put yourself on the right path, and get out of your current crap hole. Here, you may ask, how does a person even decide which “path” is the right one for them? Well, that depends totally on the person. Goals are much more than just a way of gaining material success, they say something about who we are. Our lives, just like a novel, or painting, have a premise, a message they convey to the rest of the world…or at least our part of it. This will center around your core values, which can come from your religious beliefs, or your own personal bit of philosophy you’ve come to realize over the course of your life. Once you’ve found your premise, the goals you set will automatically fall in line with it, and this should give a good indication to whether, or not, your on the “right-path”. Whatever you choose to make it though, keep in mind that this is your foundation, so be sure to think it over carefully. Or hey, you could just plunge straight ahead and hope it all works out for the best. After all, The Leaning Tower of Pisa had a screwed up foundation, and it’s still standing, right. Yeah, just in case there’s anyone reading this who happens to be a little slow, I am being sarcastic. So again, I repeat, be smart, take your time, and think it through. As for the nuts-and-bolts of goal setting, you should start with the long-term and work your way back. Ask yourself what you’d like to accomplish three years from now, all the way down to a month, and even today. Breaking your goals down into smaller task’s like this will help you build momentum as your confidence grows with each new thing you accomplish. No amount of planning in the world, however, means a thing with out action. So make sure to follow through, and you will be well on your way to creating a true work of art; Your Life!!

Lastly, remember that your not alone out there, so don’t try to be all stoic, there’s no shame in asking for help. I mean, unless your just a total A-hole, there should be at least a couple of people around who care about you. The importance of your family and close friends can never be underestimated, and believe me, I’ve sunk pretty low in my life time, so I know this first-hand. No matter what I did, or said, my family never turned their back’s on me, and was alway’s there with a helping hand when I needed it. But, as great a support system as family, and friends may be, you can never take them for granted. Just because they’re helping you doesn’t give you the right to become overly dependant, so meet them halfway by showing a little self-reliance on your part. Also, keep in mind that this is not a one way street, you too form a part of this group, and should always be ready to return the favor should the occasion arise.

Gee, I think that just about covers it all. Well, actually it doesn’t come anywhere close, then again, I never said it would. However, I hope that by sharing my insights, that somewhere in this world there was someone who felt like they had hit rock-bottom, seen and read my story, and it gave them what they needed so they would stop heading down the path that they were on, and turn in a direction that was a much brighter path for them to be on. A parting thought: Even though you may be going through a rough patch, it can be an opportunity rather then the end of the world. All you have to do is look at it with the right perspective.