The Year Was Hard—Now It’s Time To Turn The Page

Life isn’t always smooth. Difficult times are part of the human experience, and everyone faces them at some point. A bad day, a stressful week, or even a tough month can shake our confidence, test our health, and strain our finances. Usually, these challenges pass, and life returns to its normal rhythm. But what happens when an entire year feels like it’s working against you?

Many of us have experienced years that felt impossibly heavy. Perhaps 2020 comes to mind, when a global pandemic forced people around the world to change nearly every aspect of daily life. Or maybe you remember the 2008 financial crisis, which toppled the financial stability of millions almost overnight. Even going further back, the Great Depression of 1929 left a mark on generations. While these examples may seem distant, they serve as reminders that life can deliver unexpected hardship, and the effects of a challenging year can linger far longer than a bad week.

When you’ve endured a year that feels like too much, it can be hard to imagine a way forward. That’s why I want to offer something simple yet powerful: three words to carry with you into the new year. These words aren’t a magic spell—they are a mindset shift, a gentle reminder that you are capable of resilience and renewal.

Change Is Possible

Say it slowly. Say it often. Change is possible. You’ve been through hard times before, and you’ve emerged on the other side. This is not to minimize your struggle; rather, it’s to honor your capacity to adapt, learn, and grow even in the most challenging seasons. Every difficulty, no matter how heavy, has a beginning, middle, and an end. Even in the darkest moments, change is quietly at work, waiting for you to step into it.

One practical way to reinforce this message is to make it visible in your daily life. Write it on a small card and tuck it into your wallet or purse. Place reminders on your desk, in your car, or on your bathroom mirror. Let these words greet you every morning and encourage you when the day feels too much. They are your daily permission to move forward, to take small steps toward the life you want, and to believe in your own power to create change.

Focus on What You Can Control

Life is unpredictable. Pandemics, natural disasters, or sudden financial challenges can strike without warning. While you can’t control these events, you can control your response. How you react to hardship shapes your future more than the events themselves.

Begin each day with intention. Choose to face challenges with courage and curiosity rather than fear and frustration. When setbacks occur, remind yourself that you have faced difficulties before and emerged stronger. You may not have controlled the past, but you can shape your present. You can choose kindness toward yourself, persistence in your efforts, and openness to opportunities that appear even in unexpected places.

Reflect on Your Resilience

It’s easy to forget your own strength during a tough year. Take a moment to reflect on past challenges you’ve overcome. Remember the times you felt broken or unsure but kept moving forward. Those experiences are proof that you are resilient. They are evidence that even when life feels unbearable, you have the tools, the courage, and the heart to recover.

Resilience doesn’t mean never feeling pain or fear. It means allowing yourself to feel those emotions fully, learning from them, and using them to guide your next steps. Journaling can help with this process. Write down what went wrong, what you learned, and how you want to approach the future. When you read back, you’ll see a trail of strength, endurance, and growth.

Take Small, Intentional Steps

Recovering from a challenging year doesn’t require grand gestures or dramatic changes. Sometimes, the smallest steps have the most profound impact. Set aside time each day for activities that nourish your body, mind, and spirit. A short walk in nature, a cup of tea enjoyed mindfully, or a simple moment of gratitude can shift your perspective.

Reconnect with the people who support you. Surround yourself with voices of encouragement and love, whether through friends, family, or spiritual communities. Their support will remind you that you are not walking this path alone, and it can lift your spirits when the weight of the year feels heavy.

Embrace Possibility

The truth is, even when life seems unkind, there is always room for possibility. A rough year may have shaken your confidence or slowed your progress, but it does not define your future. Each day brings new opportunities, new choices, and new chances to create the life you want. Keep your focus on what can be built, healed, and nurtured, rather than what has been lost.

So, as you move forward from a challenging year, carry these three words with you. Say them often. Write them down. Let them remind you that no matter how difficult life becomes, you have the ability to heal, to adapt, and to create something better. Change is possible—and it begins with your willingness to believe it.

When you feel discouraged, pause. Breathe. Reflect on the strength you’ve shown in the past and the strength you still carry. Life may not always be easy, but you have everything you need to turn a difficult year into the start of something wonderful. Remember: resilience is not about avoiding hardship—it’s about moving forward despite it.

Change is possible. Let it guide you, encourage you, and remind you that a better year is waiting just ahead.

About Rev. Colleen Irwin: Rev. Colleen Irwin is a powerhouse of intuition, insight, and inspiration. A natural Medium, she turns whispers from Spirit into wisdom that empowers others.  She is the author of Discovering Your Streamand the upcoming Guided by Spirit, a must-read for those developing their spiritual gifts.
 

As a business consultant, Colleen blends intuition with strategy to help others succeed. She also teaches, writes, and leads development circles. In addition, she volunteers at the Susan B. Anthony Museum, sharing stories of resilience.  A Previvor since 2019, Colleen knows the power of healing and transformation. She inspires others to trust their gifts, embrace their path, and live their truth.
 

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