We’ve all heard the phrase “hitting rock bottom,” but until you’ve been there, it’s hard to understand just how isolating and difficult it can feel. When life takes everything from you—your health, confidence, and sense of purpose—it’s easy to think there’s no way back up. I know that feeling well.
After a stroke turned my life upside down, I found myself at what felt like the lowest point possible. But here’s the thing about rock bottom: it’s also the foundation where you start to rebuild. Through that process, I discovered the power of perseverance, and it’s a lesson I carry with me to this day.
You’re Stronger Than You Think
In the depths of my recovery, when my body felt weak and my mind was clouded with fear, I didn’t think I had the strength to move forward. I felt utterly defeated. But as days went by, I learned that we are often far stronger than we realize.
When we’re forced to confront our deepest fears and toughest challenges, our strength shows up in ways we don’t expect. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to your inner strength.
Failure Is Part Of The Process
Perseverance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about trying, failing, and then trying again. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that failure is part of the process. There were days when I thought I was making progress, only to stumble, both literally and figuratively. It’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned, but I understood that failure wasn’t the end—it was just another step on the path.
What matters the most is how many times you get back up after failing each time. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Once I embraced failure as part of my journey, I was able to move forward with a new sense of determination.
The Right People
Perseverance doesn’t mean going it alone. In fact, one of the most important parts of getting through tough times is having the right people around you. I was lucky to have family, friends, and even healthcare providers who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Their encouragement gave me the strength to push through the darkest moments. They help you see the light at the end of the tunnel when it feels too far away.
Slow Progress
When you’re at rock bottom, it’s natural to want to fix everything quickly. We want to jump from the depths of despair to a place of peace and happiness in an instant. But the truth is, progress is often slow—and that’s okay.
Every small victory, every little step forward, is progress, and it takes time. It’s easy to overlook these moments when you’re focused on the end goal, but they are what keep you moving forward. I embraced the slow progress, and that’s how I learned to appreciate the journey itself, rather than just the destination.
Moving Forward
It doesn’t matter how slowly you go or how many times you stumble along the way—what matters is that you don’t stop. Perseverance is about being unbreakable. It’s about showing up for yourself, day after day, and refusing to give up, no matter how hard it gets.
There were days when I didn’t feel like I was making any progress. But when I looked back, I realized that I had moved forward… even on the toughest days.
