On the up cycle - finally!

The cycle theory helped me get through the lowest point in my life. Yeah, I know it’s simplistic, but for me it actually made a huge difference. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t used it since having so much success a few years back in an intolerable work environment.

My belief that the next upturn was right around the corner, had to be strong. I tried not to think about the present situation, but about possibilities that might lie ahead. I concentrated on very routine tasks and pastimes while I waited.

I waited for the unknown – I waited for the next upswing. I was hanging on for dear life, wondering how long it would take. I just wanted to pass the time until things started looking better. At times my faith was a little shaky and I considered that there would not be an improvement – that I would remain this way forever.

However, as regular as clockwork, the up-cycle came – very subtle at first, then stronger as each day passed. Eventually, I began feeling somewhat normal again, and it was at this point that I decided to start seeing my psychologist and attending the group sessions.

Since then, I have been using this coping technique on a regular basis. It takes much of the stress and anxiety out of what would normally be a traumatic event.

Last year, I broke up with my girlfriend. We had been seeing each other for about eight months. Even though the experience was devastating, I clung to this technique and eventually came through it. I really thought my life was over when we split (I attach myself to people easily).The first week or so was incredibly painful, but I had belief in this technique as it had not disappointed in the past.

Having gone through that and coming out, seemingly, unscathed, I realized that I could handle just about anything. I felt as though I had a secret weapon to call up whenever I needed help coping. The fact that this way of thinking worked, also made me realize that nothing lasts forever – there was no such thing as perpetual suffering and hardship. Things could not stay intolerable indefinitely.

At some point I would be on the up cycle looking back and wondering what all the fuss was about.

Having this knowledge made me euphoric. For once in my life I felt as though the deck was stacked in my favor.

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