Weakness is a word that we often associate with our inabilities, negativity, shame, or failure. We tend to avoid it, hide it, or deny it. But what if we could see weakness differently?

Weakness has two sides: physical and emotional. I experienced the extremes of both.

Physical Weakness

The first time I felt physically weak was when I was diagnosed with a health condition that affected my muscles, nerves and bones. I had to undergo several diagnostics, and treatments, and I spent months in the hospital and at home, unable to do the things… Things which I thought were not been important in my life… Things which I underestimated.

It was the craziest thing to experience: the inability to be myself in my own body. I felt frustrated, angry, and depressed. I wondered why this had happened to me, and what I had done wrong. I felt like I had lost everything.

But at the end of the tunnel, life gave me a chance to recover. It was a long and painful process, but I gradually regained some of my strength and mobility. I learned to appreciate the small things, like being able to walk, talk, and eat. I learned to be grateful for the support of my family, friends, and doctors. I learned to be patient with myself and my body.

And most importantly, I learned to understand myself better. I realized that I was more than my physical condition. I realized that I had other talents and passions that I could pursue. I realized that I had a purpose and a vision for my life. I realized that I was still me, and that I was still strong.

Emotional Weakness

Next is… being emotionally weak. We all have frequent turmoils… Daily dose of misery. I often felt like everything was falling apart, and I had no control over anything almost every day in the past.

I often felt weak when I let other people’s actions and words affect me. I felt weak when I doubted myself and my abilities. I felt weak when I lost my independence and confidence. I felt weak when I was anxious and stressed all the time. I felt weak when I blamed myself for my as well as other’s problems. I felt weak when I complained about how miserable my life was, and how much some people made it worse.

I had been through this before, a few years back. I had overcome it then, but I forgot how I did it. I forgot how I became sunshine. Now, I feel like things have been a mess these days and I sense the need to fix it.

These days I feel like I am slowly becoming emotionally weak.

I asked myself: what had happened that made me go back and get tangled in the web of negativity? How could I break free from it?

Well, now that I sat through my journal, I remembered that back then, I actually decided to take a step back and reflect on my situation at that point. That was my very first step.

I made some changes in my lifestyle, my habits, and my mindset. I decided to take action and responsibility for my happiness. I upskilled me, ate well, slept well and completely ignored people’s opinion about me. And most importantly idgaf about anybody’s opinions or actions against me.

And that’s how I slowly, I started to feel better. I started to heal from my wounds and forgive myself and others. I started to trust myself and my potential. I started to regain my independence and self-esteem. I started to manage my anxiety and stress. I started to find solutions and opportunities for my challenges. I started to enjoy my life and appreciate the people who made it better.

And most importantly, I started to grow from my weakness. 

I realize that I am still me, but a little lost from my way. I believe I could bring myself back from the repeated cycle of thoughts that makes me feel I am weak.

How to Overcome Weakness

Being weak is not easy, but it’s not impossible to overcome. Here are some pointers that helped me, and maybe they can help you too:

• Accept your weakness. Don’t deny it, hide it, or avoid it. Acknowledge it, understand it, and embrace it. It’s part of who you are, and it’s not something to be ashamed of. And most importantly Journal it.
• Seek help. Don’t isolate yourself, or try to deal with everything on your own. Reach out to someone who can support you, guide you, or listen to you. It could be a professional, a friend, a family member, or anyone you trust. You are not a burden, and you don’t have to suffer alone.
• Make changes. Don’t stay stuck in your situation, or repeat the same patterns that make you feel worse. Take action and responsibility for your well-being. Make some adjustments in your lifestyle, your habits, your mindset, or anything that can improve your condition. You have the power and the potential to change your reality.
• Be positive. Don’t focus on the negative, or dwell on the past or the future. Live in the present. Find something to be grateful for, something to be hopeful for, something to be excited for. Find something that makes you happy, something that makes you laugh, something that makes you feel alive. You have the right and the reason to be positive.
• Be yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others, or try to be someone you’re not. Be yourself, and be proud of it. You are unique, and you have something to offer. You are valuable, and you have something to achieve. You are beautiful, and you have something to share. You are you, and you are strong. And dgaf to anyone. Don’t…

Conclusion

Being weak is a curse. But we need to remember, there is no curse in this world that can’t be broken.

Weakness shows us our we have space to grow. It tests our will and courage, and makes us stronger, wiser, and better.

Being weak is being human. And being human is being strong. So yes… I actually wrote this as a way to self motivate me. And I hope it does motivate someone who is dealing with the same shit as me.