As we journey through this adventure called life, there are many obstacles that can pop up and hinder our growth and progress. Success can be jeopardized and contentment fleeting or even non-existent. Small obstacles like speed bumps can be annoying, but if taken at the right speed only slow us down. If they go unnoticed though, then they can create substantial damage. The speed bumps of life keep us from experiencing our life to its fullest. Roadblocks on the other hand can block our path entirely. Now what? How do we get back to forward movement? These obstacles can come in many forms through the human experience including the following:
Emotional. Emotions and feelings are transient or changing, but they can feel strong and even debilitating. Feelings like depression, anxiety, and loneliness can at times be so heavy and burdensome that getting out of bed can seem impossible. Research shows that more and more people struggle with these feelings each year. Creating a system of checks and balances with your thoughts can be beneficial.
Social. Social media and other distractions have fostered an environment of isolation from one another. This isolation can increase feelings of depression and loneliness, as we tend to be social creatures. Learning new ways to re-engage life can bring a sense of connection and joy even for the introverts in the crowd.
Relationships. Our relationships with other people play an integral part in how we see ourselves and how we interact with the world. Relationships with family and friends can easily be strained, creating divides that can seem irreparable. Romantic relationships from before the first date to looking at the divorce paperwork can have uncertainty, fear or excitement swirling around. Taking a moment and get some feedback to add some clarity. Let me help you sift through those thoughts and feelings.
Physical. Sometimes physical barriers present themselves. A change in mobility or a cancer diagnosis is sure to have an impact on any one of us. Each physical barrier can change how we see ourselves and how we interact with others and our environment. We can also feel very alone as a result, like no one understands. In reality though there are others and we don’t have to be alone in our struggles.
Psychological. There is quite a mix of barriers contained under this heading. Psychological barriers can be as simple as having a problem where the solution eludes you. More pervasive issues may include unclear, distorted, or all or nothing thinking. An area of increased difficulty I have seen in my work in recent years, is with transitional movements. Life stage transitions seem to be plagued by increased apprehension and anxiety. These troubled transitions include, but are not limited to, the transition from elementary school to high school, college to the working world, dating to marriage and winding down one’s working life. These transitions can be scary but can also be filled with opportunity.
Behavioral. Sometimes we engage in behaviors that we either don’t understand or wish we could change. These barriers may be having difficulty making eye contact or can be more negatively impactful like substance abuse. Creating new behaviors is often difficult to do on your own and having some support and accountability can make all the difference.
Spiritual. If you have a faith or not, you might find yourself struggling with spiritual matters. This struggle may be illuminated by your own experiences, your purpose, or the loss of a loved one. It also may become a barrier as a result of someone you are dating, an interaction with a friend or family member, or pressures you might feel being put upon you.
Financial. The barriers in money and finance are often perceived as obvious. These can include budgeting, how to invest a small windfall, how to save money for the future, or whether to contribute to a 401K or a Roth IRA? These are important decisions to make, but there can be deeper things at play. There are different personality types, and this is true in the arena of money as well. Have you wondered why one person is a spender and another a saver? Often times, this difference is a reflection of one’s core beliefs. Recently I wrote a book, the 8 Financial Personalities, that examines the different money personalities, how they impact our lives, and how to make changes if desired. Our money personality determines how we view and interact with finances, potentially creating a barrier of its own.
“Find your bridge across the bumps and roadblocks of life.”