Thread by @ItsKieranDrew

I’ve broken my neck. I've got a neurological disorder. My spine is held together by metal – and I have zero complaints.

Here’re 7 truths I’ve learned that will keep you smiling through hard times:

Before we begin:

Life will always throw shit at you.

But you control what comes next.

Here’s what helps me choose the best response – I hope it helps you too.

The World Owes You Nothing

I’ll be honest,

At 18, I used to think "why me?"

What I know now:

Self-pity is a poison that’s sweet on the lips.

It takes you nowhere.

And it’s unfair on those supporting you.

Sometimes, shit happens.

Focus on what you can do instead.

Humour is the Answer

Seriously.

Learn to laugh at everything, and nothing can harm you.

Plus, it makes life fun.

I’ve laughed at some dark shit.

It always works.

And if you feel like there’s nothing to laugh about?

Laugh about that.

This is how you win every problem.

Be Open for Opportunity

One emotion hurts the most:

Helplessness.

It slowly tears you apart.

But remember,

You’re not a bystander of your life.

Ask:

“Where’s the benefit?”

& put energy toward it.

Action, no matter how small, can make all the difference.

Don’t Feed the Beast

The nature of negativity is that the more it’s fed, the more it grows.

Historically, it made sense to think the worst. It kept us alive.

But now, it stops us from living.

So, if you’re spiralling down – think of the good

Gratitude will pull you back up.

Equalize Your Emotions

We love the good times and hate the worst.

But this emotional rollercoaster is tough to ride.

Instead of intense highs and lows, remind yourself good times will never last.

This isn’t negativity

It’s rationality.

And it makes the ride a lot smoother.

Perspective Cures Pain

Your problems feel terrible.

But the reality is, people go through much worse.

There’s a spectrum of shit in life and you’re rarely at the bottom of it.

So, smile.

Take a breath.

And remind yourself:

“It sucks. But things could always be worse.”

Choose the Harder Path

You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it.

I used to hide from hard work.

Now I look for the path of most resistance.

So:

Hike the hardest hill.

Run in the rain.

Face your fear.

When tough times come, you’ll be ready for them.

Thanks for reading my friends!

If you enjoyed this:

1. Follow me @itskierandrew for threads to help you write well and think effectively.
2. Check out a bit of my story and what I’m up to now:

https://twitter.com/ItsKieranDrew/status/1428038290804981761

TL;DR

Some ideas on how to be more resilient:

• Self-pity sucks
• Humour doesn't
• Action is the answer
• Don't feed the beast
• The Stoics know what's up
• Perspective is your weapon
• Resilience is a muscle

The way you view a problem decides the size of it.