There are seasons in life that don’t just feel difficult — they feel relentless. Seasons where everything takes more effort, emotions sit closer to the surface, and simply getting through the day can feel like a quiet act of courage. In those moments, I’ve found myself searching for things that help me through difficult seasons — gentle anchors that support my mind, steady my heart, and remind my soul that I’m not alone.
If you’re in one of those seasons, I want you to know this first:
You are not weak. You are not broken. You are not failing.
You are human. And you are carrying more than most people realise.
Over the years, through chronic illness, trauma recovery, mental health struggles, spiritual wrestling, and long stretches of uncertainty, I’ve slowly gathered a set of gentle tools that help me survive the hardest days.
This isn’t a list of quick fixes or productivity hacks. These are gentle lifelines. Practices that support the mind, soothe the nervous system, and anchor the soul.
If you’re walking through a difficult season right now, I hope these bring comfort and permission to slow down.
Some seasons are about growth, others are about survival!
If your capacity is limited, your energy is low, your emotions feel fragile, or your faith feels quieter than usual, you are not doing life wrong. You are responding wisely to a heavy season.
I’m reminding myself of this, too, as I write! I’ve been fainting for 29 years, diagnosed of Neurocardiogenic Syncope 15 years ago, 3 more diagnoses (Chronic Fatigue, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)) this last year, 2 and a half years in this season of particularly bad health, 8 months being practically housebound, two of which were bedbound. So, you think I would be a master of finding things that help me through difficult seasons! I’m not, BTW! But feel it’s important to share what I learn as and when I can, as I’m sure I’m not alone, and you may benefit from these things that help me through difficult seasons too!
These tools are not obligations. They are invitations. Take what helps and leave what doesn’t.
10 Things that help me through difficult seasons
1. Finch App- Gentle Structure, Purpose & Encouragement
When everything feels overwhelming, even the smallest tasks can feel impossible. The Finch app helps me create tiny routines, gentle goals, and daily encouragement, without pressure or shame.
It gives structure without rigidity, purpose without overwhelm and discipline without harshness.
On days when my mind is foggy and my body is exhausted, which is more often than not these days, it reminds me that showing up in small ways still matters- even brushing my teeth, drinking water, or taking three deep breaths counts.
Sometimes survival looks like micro-steps.
And that is more than enough.
2. Art Therapy- Processing Without Words
There are times when words simply aren’t available, when emotions feel too tangled, too heavy, or too deep to articulate.
Art therapy gives me a way to process without needing to explain.
Colour, texture, movement, and shape allow emotions to move through my body gently. There is no right or wrong. No performance. Just expression.
Sometimes healing doesn’t come through talking — it comes through creating.
(I will do a later post explaining the ‘How’ and ‘Why’ Art Therapy helps and will include simple exercises for you too.)
3. Journaling
Journaling is where I get honest.
Not polished. Not filtered. Not spiritualised.
Just real.
It allows me to pour out my fears, grief, anger, confusion, hope (or hopelessness), prayers, questions, and tiny victories. It helps untangle thought spirals, clarify emotions, and soften the intensity inside my nervous system. Which can become a pressure cooker about to boil over, if I don’t or forget to journal!
Journaling reminds me that my thoughts deserve space, and that God is not threatened by my honesty.
“For no one is cast off by the Lord forever… though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” Lamentations 3:31–33
4. Biblical Meditation
Biblical meditation grounds me when my mind feels chaotic.
This isn’t about striving to feel peaceful. It’s about soaking in truth. Sitting with a single verse. Repeating it gently. Letting it settle into my nervous system.
Sometimes it’s a whisper:
“You are with me.”
Sometimes it’s a declaration:
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
In difficult seasons, I don’t need long studies; I need stability and peace.
5. Lament- Getting Real With God
Lament has become one of the most healing spiritual practices in my life.
It gives me permission to bring grief, confusion, anger, exhaustion, disappointment, and heartbreak honestly before God (Sometimes, through written prayers during journalling.) Not to tidy them up. Not to rush through them. Not to explain them away.
Just to be real.
Lament says: This hurts. This is heavy. I don’t understand. And I’m still here.
And God meets us there. Whether we realise it or not. That’s happened too, I have gone months not feeling His presence. But I, and we, need to remember that the Word says the opposite.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:17-18
6. Activating the Soothing System- Safety for Body & Soul
When trauma, chronic stress, or illness keeps the nervous system stuck in survival mode, soothing becomes essential.
For me, this includes:
These are not luxuries. They are regulatory tools.
They help my body remember that it is safe. That it can soften. That it can rest.
Soothing is not selfish. It is deeply healing.
(Again, I will do a later post or YouTube video on this.)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures… he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2–3
7. True Rest- Learning to Stop Without Guilt
Rest is not collapse.
Rest is restoration.
True rest means releasing the pressure to perform, achieve, or prove. It is choosing to stop, breathe, and simply exist in God’s presence.
For me, this often looks like:
- Lying down without distraction
- Gentle worship
- Silence
- Slow breathing
- Letting my body fully relax
Rest is where God repairs what striving breaks.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28–30
8. Guided Prayers- Borrowed Words When Mine Run Out
There are days when forming my own prayers feels impossible.
On those days, guided prayers hold me.
They give language to emotions I can’t articulate and help my heart stay connected to God even when my strength is low.
Sometimes we don’t need perfect words; we just need presence.
9. Psychology, Counselling & CBT- Healing the Mind with Wisdom
Faith and psychology are not opposites. They are partners in healing.
Psychology, Counselling, CBT and Christian-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy have helped me:
- Understand trauma responses
- Rewire unhelpful thought patterns
- Build emotional safety
- Develop gentler inner dialogue
- Strengthen emotional resilience
Mental health care is not a lack of faith.
It is the stewardship of the mind God gave us.
10. Hobbies & Play- Remembering I’m Still Alive
In survival seasons, joy can feel distant.
Hobbies and play gently remind me that life still contains beauty, creativity, curiosity, and pleasure.
Whether it’s crafting, gaming, gentle movement, music, or simple creative expression- play reconnects me to my humanity.
It reminds me that I am more than my illness, pain, or struggles.
If you’re in a hard season, please hear this:
You don’t need to do all “10 things that help me through difficult seasons.”
You don’t need to do them perfectly.
You don’t need to do them consistently.
Even one small anchor can make a difference.
Hard seasons are not a sign that God is absent. Often, they are the places where His gentleness becomes most tangible.
If today is heavy, may you feel held. If tomorrow feels uncertain, may you feel guided. If your strength is low, may you feel carried.
You are not alone. And this season, as hard as it is, will not last forever. (Again, reminding myself of this too!)
If this post spoke to your heart, you may also find comfort in my resources on Christian-Based CBT, trauma-informed faith practices, and gentle emotional healing tools. You deserve support on this journey.
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