Dealing with Crap in Life: When It Rains, It Pours

The last few weeks have been a doozy (read “piece of crap bucket”). I mean, seriously. Nearly every area of my life imploded within a couple of weeks (thankfully, Larry has remained unscathed and, thus, is the mascot of this post). I’ve been dealing with so much crap. 

Before I get into the deets, I want to say thank you to my readers. For real, I love you guys. We had such an awesome discussion on Facebook over last week’s blog on why I’m undatable (apparently). Generating weekly content is a tough job, and I’m so grateful to those who take the time to check in on my posts. I also greatly appreciate those who share on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. It makes a huge difference.

When It Rains, It Pours

I would love, love, love to give you all the gossip, but I can’t. Some stuff involves other people, and, frankly, some is embarrassing. (Like maybe you have one more drink than you need and you say and do some things that you MAY not necessarily have done otherwise. I’m not saying that’s what happened…this is hypothetical to make sure you’re tracking with me. Anywho…). 

A few folks at my job are being greedy and self-serving (has anyone ever had a job without these people?). I’ve been let down and disregarded by religious people whose responsibility it is to shepherd me. There were several family issues, and it seems the Wypych clan is under severe attack (but rallying). I lost a friendship or, more to the point, realized a friendship I thought I had didn’t really exist (nothing one-sided can ever be a real friendship). And, my doctor noticed that my uterus had enlarged dramatically (this is the one I can share completely).

Don’t get worried…without divulging too much, I have fibroids and one is much, much bigger. It’s okay. But, as a healthcare worker who has worked in oncology, this was and is unnerving for me. I’m being watched and cared for, so enough about that.

The point is not my health. Instead, the point is that I had a crap ton of, well, crap pour my way in a short period of time. BUT, not only that, seemingly so has everyone else. I have friends dealing with custody issues, people losing jobs, homies unable to sell their homes, and peeps waiting endlessly to hear from their doctors. AND, this is all happening in COVID 2020. We can’t even go out to eat and commiserate in some places!

Dealing with the Crap of Life

This is not where I tell you how I overcame. I’m still worried about my next ultrasound, and my life is about to be turned upside down because I am a newly approved foster parent. Life will soon be unrecognizable (in a good way, but still totally different).

Here’s what has saved me over the last few weeks, and if you’re going through a bunch of stuff, maybe it will help you.

1. Friends

Real friends stick. They listen. Real friends don’t judge. They check on you when you are emotionally choking. When life gets difficult, invest in the REAL relationships that you have in your life. We all have acquaintances and people we know, but I made a conscious decision to pour time and energy into a few people I really, really value and love in my life. Granted, the one I mentioned above didn’t pan out, but several others have been my complete lifelines. You know who you are. I love you and tell you regularly.

2. Running

Not everyone loves running; I know because as a runner, non-runners always feel the need to share how much they hate running. Maybe for you, it’s not running… maybe it’s walking or lifting weights. But for me, I continued my three miles, six days a week through all of this garbage. Exercise provides an outlet for my stress, a time to unplug and be unreachable from the pressures of the world, and time alone that doesn’t feel lonely. I recommend exercise for stress relief but feel free to substitute whatever does it for you.

3. Prayer

I’m trying to get away from Christian-ese writing and branch out wide like the tree I’m meant to be (I have no idea where that came from), but sometimes prayer is the only power I feel I have. I have no control over everything that is happening right now, and all I can do is trust God to have it. God is my friend like the amazing friends I mentioned above. Prayer is my phone call to Him. “Hey, You’re not going to believe what happened.” “Thanks for listening.”

I don’t know why life is crappy sometimes. They say it’s to make us grateful for all of the good times, but that sentiment makes me want to punch a wall. I mean, really. I don’t know why everything seems to be happening all at once either. 

What I do know is that I have friends who have stood by me during this time when others found it easier to walk away. I know that the peace and joy I find in running helps iron out the wrinkles of the day. I feel connection to God creates stability in a world that is anything but.

In case you, too, are dealing with the crap of life, leave a comment, or find me on social media. I’ll pray for you, and I’ll listen. I won’t be able to fix it (I can’t even fix my own stuff), but I can listen and pray. You’re not alone in dealing with crap. I’m here with you.

Love, K.

Author of Ten Iron Principles, Contributor in The Power to Make a Difference