Harnessing Intuition and Compassion in Tough Times

Over the years, I’ve come to understand certain personal strengths. They’ve helped me navigate the more challenging parts of life. It can throw us curveballs when we least expect it. My strengths have become my support for helping to navigate difficult situations. For me, my strengths lie with intuition and compassion.  It’s at the heart of who I am. 

I’ve always been an intuitive person.  I notice the little things that others might overlook and pick up on the subtle cues.  I can read body language, differentiate tones, and feel the shifts of energy among others.

I know my gut instincts well. They are a good indicator of whether I should follow through with something that might be harmful. It’s in these moments that I fully trust myself and my judgment.

My intuition is my guide for making decisions, both big and small. It’s a quiet superpower I never used to give myself much credit for. 

Being compassionate is another on my strengths. I genuinely care about people. I care about their feelings, their stories, and their struggles. I want to see others thrive and take pride in themselves.

That care doesn’t stop with others, though. I want the same for myself too.  It’s taken me a very long time to admit that out loud. I’ve learned that I deserve joy and fulfillment just as much as everyone else. 

Implementing those notions onto myself causes a lot of displacement. I never viewed myself as worthy of the same care and attention.  I’ve learned to stop that negative thinking. I remind myself that I’m worth every bit of happiness. Compassion builds strong relationships and creates a space for mental healing and growth. 

There have been times where I felt like I was drowning in feelings of negativity, self-doubt, and despair.  Overthinking and over=analyzing everything often sends me down the rabbit hole.

However, I’ve somehow stopped falling endlessly into that abyss. Through the awkwardness, the sadness, and the emotional noise, a strong part of me can find the silver lining. 

For years, I didn’t recognize any strengths within myself. I just saw myself as lazy, unmotivated, and rather worthless. I was battling a deep and heavy depression that literally clouded everything.

I didn’t see anything positive or special inside me. Slowly though I began to take notice of certain strengths that I do possess. I am learning new coping mechanisms. I do this when things get out of hand. I am also finding ways to take care of myself during the chaos that is life.  

A mechanism I use daily to recenter myself is pausing to take a deep breath. It’s helpful to take long deep breaths to channel my energy elsewhere. Especially in social situations that I find overstimulating.

I give myself space by stepping away to a quiet corner to ask, “Am I overwhelmed? Anxious? Overreacting?” That space allows me to regroup and return to the situation with clarity and recognition. 

I build on these strengths by practicing them daily. I tune into my intuition more intentionally.  I lead with compassion both for myself and others. By allotting time to find space and breathe out my sorrows, I stay balanced and reflective. I can quite literally press the reset button without guilt or shame. 

Though these strengths of mine might seem “soft” they are quietly fierce. My strengths help me stay grounded and connected to making thoughtful decisions and keep going even when life gets heavy.

Our strengths aren’t just traits, they are tools. And I’m learning how to use mine to keep moving forward, no matter what might come my way. 

“The quietest people have the loudest minds, and the gentlest hearts carry the fiercest strength.”

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