Do you think you do a good job of keeping problems in perspective?
Sure, I can. Maybe not when I was 21 or even 31. Then when I was 32, I had an excessive amount of problems. Imagine that everything in your life has turned to crap. Life was like that for at least a year. It was two years before I could see a light at the end of the tunnel. So I went to a lot of therapy in order to cope with the stress.
I’m glad that I have learned to put things in perspective. When I was 21, I was a lazy, spoiled college kid. I didn’t know what real problems were. Maybe spoiled college girl problems, like I’m late for my class because I stayed up late either partying or cramming for a test. Or I can’t pay attention in class because I’m daydreaming about boys. I had no idea what pain was – physical or emotional.
I knew a little more when I was 31. However, I didn’t really have good coping skills. It was time for a divorce. And then what? I had no idea what to do next. So of course, I went right into another bad relationship. Then I got buried under a mountain of problems.
After that era, I am more aware of keeping problems in perspective. Not everything is a crisis like it was before. I have a bed to sleep in, a bathtub and my own toothbrush. You haven’t lived until you haven’t showered in several days because you are homeless and there isn’t anywhere to go. Seriously, I would not recommend it. But it was a life-changing experience. So now I have perspective, a different attitude and several extra toothbrushes. Just in case.
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