Learning to Breathe Again: Navigating Life’s Roller Coaster

Just when she thought she could breathe again, lifting her head fully to the surface, memories of old events flooded back, pulling her into the turmoil of the past 12 months. She kept reminding herself it was all over, that she could start fresh, but her mind conjured a hundred reasons why the chaos might continue.

Babies are born with a clean slate. Yet, they say we hear and feel things even in the womb, and those impressions can shape us. As we grow, we live not just our own lives but also those of our parents and everyone in their orbit—siblings, relatives, and friends. We see, hear, feel, experience, and learn until one day, we start to wonder. Questions arise, and we begin forming our own opinions—choosing, taking sides, agreeing, disagreeing, respecting, losing faith, appreciating, making mistakes, and learning even more.

We are never entirely alone on this journey; we are mirrors of all we encounter. Yet, it is ultimately the individual who decides to rise or fall. We meet kind people who teach us kindness, fall in and out of love, succeed and fail, trust others who may betray us, climb the ladder of success, and occasionally crash to the ground. Some days, we resolve to stay strong; on others, we consider giving up.

Life is a roller coaster. Even the kindest and strongest person faces challenges—heartbreak, hardships, losing loved ones, or being let down.

At the end of the day, life is for living. It’s our expectations that often lead to disappointment. The truth is, the show will go on. Sometimes, you must take charge and accept full responsibility for your life. Learning to say no and putting yourself first, when needed, is essential for staying sane. You might need to grow a thick skin, muster your courage, and keep moving forward.