9 ways to cope when you're at your lowest point in life

If you are at the low point, hit rock bottom right now, and I want you to know you're not alone. It can be incredibly challenging when you're at a low point in life, but there are ways to cope and, with time, heal. Here are a few strategies that might help:

Your current phase is best explained by Yi Jing Hexagram 23: Splitting Apart. After a peak period, your life is experiencing a downturn where you may feel you're losing everything you once had. This is a normal, natural process—like flowers withering after a full bloom—and it is temporary.

The Strategy of Non-Action:

• Stop struggling to recover the past. The more you fight to return to where you were, the deeper you risk sinking. Avoid all risks and resist the urge to grasp at straws; that desperate feeling of helplessness is real, but action right now is counterproductive.

The Path to Healing:

• Pause and reflect. Use this painful period to understand what choices led you here. Allow yourself the time and space to process this—cry if you need to; let the feelings out. Healing is gradual, but you will slowly and surely get better.
• Cut toxic ties. Now is the time to eliminate toxic influences. You will quickly see who remains loyal and who abandons you. This is a normal part of dissolution; accept it without panic or judgment.

The Strategic Retreat: Finding the Turning Point

When I hit the lowest point in life, I chose a radical form of strategic withdrawal. I left the city I'd lived in for ten years without a single goodbye, moving to a new country solely to heal, study, and rebuild my relationship with myself.

This period became the best time in my life—a true turning point.

I began to realize how intensely people work, often for modest pay. In that solitude, my perspective shifted: I no longer saw people by their labels or titles. We were all simply equals, fulfilling essential tasks in different areas. I recognized the inherent meaning in everyone's contribution and stopped judging entirely.

Through daily self-reflection and a complete withdrawal from social life, I slowly mastered the ability to be alone with myself. Looking back, that quiet, healing space remains one of the most beautiful and transformative periods I've ever experienced.

You must seize this chance to fundamentally revolutionize yourself and address your shortcomings—no excuses. This period is dedicated to learning patience, mastering the art of solitude, and deep healing. View every moment as essential preparation for the spontaneous new beginning: Hexagram 24, The Return (The Turning Point).

My Personal Toolkit: Actions That Helped Me Turn the Corner

1. Allow Yourself to Feel

Sometimes, the first step is acknowledging how you feel without judgment. It’s okay to be sad, frustrated, or even lost. These emotions are part of the human experience, and suppressing them often prolongs the pain. Let yourself feel without guilt—this is the first step toward healing.

2. Read Books

Reading is a powerful way to help you to keep yourself together. Trust me, most of the troubles you're experiencing now, someone have experienced before. Reading history, psychology, etc. and sometimes help you find some answers you're seeking for. Make a list of the books you want to read, when you're not feeling good, just get up and read. Allow yourself to lose yourself in the book you're reading. Not only will it help calm your emotions, but it will also guide you into a natural flow, making the experience more immersive and soothing.

3. Eat Healthy

What you eat plays a crucial role in your emotional well-being. Avoid binge eating when emotions take over. Try reducing your sugar intake—less sugar can help stabilize your mood and improve emotional balance.

4. Stay Active

Whether it’s a morning walk, hitting the gym, an evening run, or daily hiking, make sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. The first 5 to 10 minutes can be tough, but keep pushing through—it’s often the hardest part. Once you finish, you’ll feel at least 50% of your stress melt away. Exercise is key to boosting energy, especially when your mood is low.

5. Meditate Daily

Meditation is a great way to help you to stay present in the moment. If you find it's hard to focus, find a guide video on Youtube. You can follow the guidance to practice daily self-love, anxiety, relaxation, inner peace, and more. With time pass by, you will find it's easier to meditate.

6. Lean on Support

Even though it may feel like you want to be alone, leaning on friends, family, or even a therapist can make a world of difference. Sometimes just talking about what you're going through can help lighten the burden, even if it doesn’t solve everything immediately. If you don’t feel like talking, sometimes just being in the presence of someone who cares can offer comfort.

7. Small Acts of Self-Care

When life feels overwhelming, self-care can seem insignificant, but small acts can make a big impact. Something as simple as a warm cup of tea, taking a walk outside, or journaling your thoughts can help clear your mind and give you the mental space you need to heal. Focus on small, manageable actions.

8. Set Tiny Goals

Setting small, achievable goals can help you build momentum and a sense of accomplishment. It could be something as small as getting out of bed, making your bed, or having a nutritious meal. Achieving these tiny goals can help you feel a sense of control when everything else feels chaotic.

 

9. Allow Yourself Time to Heal

Remember that healing takes time. When you're at your lowest point, it might feel like things will never get better, but time has a way of bringing clarity. Trust that you’ll gradually start to feel better, even if the progress is slow. There’s no rush to “move on” or “bounce back” quickly. Healing is a process, not a destination.

Being at your lowest point can feel incredibly isolating, but it’s important to remember that your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. No matter how tough life is now, please remember it's temporary, you will become much more stronger after you overcome this period of time. Don't give up on yourself, or running away, face it, find solutions, step by step. Move strategically. You're stronger than you think, and while the road might be tough, each small step forward brings you closer to healing.

Follow the law of nature; do not fight the current. When the timing is right—as guaranteed by the cycle of life—you will not just bounce back, but rebound to a significantly higher level in life. Trust the process. You’ve got this.

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