When things go wrong...

Well hello there again. I don’t know about you, but time seems to be crawling in between my appearances on here. Life altogether, and the year itself is flying, but it seems so long between posts.

I know I had started a series of posts about paranormal creatures, with a different one each month. However this month I want to talk about something different.

Courtesy of Flickr user JustCallMe_♥Bethy♥_

Those who know me personally know that the last 12 months has been very trying for me and my family. I have come so close to giving in over and over, because there’s only so much that people can take. There are tough times, and then there hellish times. This is definitely a hellish time. So many times I’ve wanted to just curl into a ball and stay in bed, throw in the towel with writing, studying, everything except the pain.

It is something a lot of people fight every single day. We all have our different reasons, our own challenges and hurdles. Some are bigger than others. Some people cope differently.

The point is, every single one is unique. There is no how-to manual on how to cope with the challenges that you will face, because although others may experience one challenge that you do, they’ve had other paths to lead them to their own similar experience that mean they think differently, handle it in their own way. Other people can only give you advice.

Sometimes they think theirs is the be all and end all, only way to deal with it. I can tell you now that they need to be handled with a firm hand. They need to be told that you will handle it in your own way, and that while you appreciate their advice, they need to give you the space to deal with it. Your. Own. Way. It will hurt, but you need to tell them to back off, and be firm. To allow someone to crush your feelings under their own pride will only be a hindrance to your path to recovery.

That goes for mental, emotional and physical pain. You only need positive people around who will support and encourage you, not ones who will try to take over, and end up sapping every bit of energy you have. Vampires are real. Blood suckers? Well, some people like to think so. Emotional vampires? Very much real. And are to be avoided when you’re in a bad place.

Courtesy of Flickr user bogd

I guess the point of my blog this month is that if you’re ever going through a tough time, take a firm hand with anyone who thinks you are doing it “wrong”. They need to either back off or leave. It’s harsh, but you need to look after you. Allow yourself moments of weakness, but don’t let things crush you down for too long. It may not seem it at times, (and I’m feeling very hypocritical saying this, but it’s something we all need to remember!) but there is a lot to live for in this world. Just hold on, like new growth does when there’s still snow. (Yeah, there wasn’t really many images I liked that showed resilience.)

Phoenix Johnson is an Australian author who has always had the passion for the written word. She had her nose in at least one book ever since she could read and would even scrutinize the back of the cereal box every morning at breakfast. It was only natural she take up writing.

After reviewing a few delicious titles for Naughty Nights Press as she wrote her first title, The Wolf in the Neighborhood, Phoenix was of one mind to submit it to NNP, and she hasn't looked back. The Return of Their Master now joins her first title for sale, and both books are receiving great reviews. Phoenix feels that being invited to write for the NNP blog is a great honour, and loves being part of the team!