There was a time in MY PAST when I was very angry.
Many things were out of my CONTROL and it was a difficult time as I transitioned from adolescence to ADULTHOOD. However, it was a time of great personal GROWTH and REFLECTION. I spent a lot of time learning and UNDERSTANDING my own feelings and other peoples, and interpersonal interactions. I also LEARNED a lot about how mental illness affects not only the person afflicted but it can also affect those of us who are around people with a mental illness. It can affect your power…if you let it.
What it really helped me when realized no one can take your power. But if you get into a situation where your WILLING to use your personal power as a bargaining chip then you can end up feeling like someone else took your power, but really you gave it up hoping for something in exchange. Love, ACCEPTANCE, friendship. Or to get away from something loneliness, unhappiness, stress. But FEELING powerless can start a spiral. It can really send you to a dark place because you don’t feel in control of your own life even though you still are.
The GREAT NEWS is you can take your power back whenever you choose and you can do it in an INSTANT. You can leave a group of FRIENDS that is a bad influence and when you do you will have realized your self worth and a better group of friends will find you. You can leave an abusive relationship and that freedom will feel like seeing the sun for the first time once you’re free.
Three things you can do right now to take your power back:
- Decide what you want. What brings you happiness? What kind of life do you want to live? You have a choice, you can choose!
- Align yourself with good people. Everyone has one good person in their life – an aunt, a neighbor, a brother. Spend time with people who build you up.
- Stop spending time with people you know are not good for you. This one is hard. But it has to be done to take your power back!
Don’t let someone else turn you into something you’re not. You can decide at any moment to take your power back and do or becoming something different.
Thank you so much for this post. I screen shotted most of it so that I can look back and feel uplifted whenever I feel like life is hanging me out to dry. It’s a nice reminder that we aren’t alone and that everyone feels down in the dumps at some point in their lives . The fact that we hold the power to our own happiness is makes me feel relieved and refreshed. Thank you Stevie for this post , keep doing you girl.
Hi Madeleine! Thanks for your support and for adding your thoughts to the conversation and sharing a little piece of your story, we’ve got this girl! ?
It took me a while to take my power back after a divorce from an abuser. You feel worthless and it’s hard work. But you’re right, there was a “moment” that I turned that corner! Thank you Stevie Jewel!
Thanks for sharing your story! It helps when we bring our stories into the light…then other people can see they’re not alone!