“Don’t be pushed by your problems; be led by your dreams.” ~Unknown

Sometimes your problems can seem so imperative they consume all your energy and guide your every decision. If you can’t pay your rent, or have a serious health condition, your life could become all about the issue at hand: feeling bad about it, attempting to solve it, worrying about its implications, and maybe even letting it define you.

It’s a natural reaction. Stressful situations trigger your fight or flight response, causing your to devote maximum energy to changing the situation.

That being said, letting your life become all about your problems is a surefire path to unhappiness.

You will always have problems in life; and there will always be uncertainty about how and when you’ll find resolutions. Once you’ve done what you can do on any given day, let go of your need to worry and commiserate. That won’t fix anything any faster.

Give yourself permission to imagine the life that feels right for you–outside the wrongs you’re trying to fix. Once you know what you really want, you’re in a powerful place to start creating it. Even if you have obstacles.