If you’re going to take advice on how to stay sane on a tough day, let it be from either a psychologist or someone who’s walked through the dark pits and emerged a bubble of light.
Unfortunately, not all Travel Agents have access to a 24/7 free mental health service like the one launching at TravelManagers, so listen to Erin Ross.
Erin, a Personal Travel Manager (PTM) and contagiously hilarious personality, recently took the stage at the TravelManagers to offer her colleagues some advice on how to stay sane on a completely overwhelming day.
What makes her qualified enough to give this advice?
She was forced to put these tips into practice back in 2015 when she lost her husband and the father of her two beautiful children to brain cancer.
Rough right? Well, here’s how she managed to get through the dark times:
1. START A ‘GRATITUDE DIARY’
Regardless of how bad the situation may be, Erin said there’s always something to be thankful for. She recommended starting a gratitude diary that’ll help adjust your perspective and hopefully, your mood.
Erin posts her ‘thankful posts’ daily on Facebook.
“Instead of whinging after my husband’s diagnosis, I’d write what I was thankful for. Sometimes it was my kids, sometimes it was my family, and sometimes it was air con on a hot Queensland day. A lot of times, I was thankful for wine.”
2. FIND THE SILVER LINING IN EVERYTHING
In the darkest of hours, it may seem impossible to latch onto anything positive, but Erin Ross says it’s important to try to find the silver lining in everything because there’s always a silver lining.
“How could there be a silver lining on the day that Matt died? Well, there was.”
3. DON’T BE AN A$$HOLE
Erin said it’s practically impossible for humans to be kind and patient 100 percent of the time, but we’d be a lot better off if we didn’t take our issues out on others.
“I think it’s human nature to be an a$$hole occasionally when we have bad days; we snap or moan. But if we aim to be positive 90 percent of the time and choose to be kind and not an a$$hole, then I reckon that’s a win.”
“And if you’re dealing with some that’s being an a$$hole, just take a deep breathe because we don’t know what’s going on in their world. They may have had a bad sleep, their kids may have been acting like a$$holes, or their dog may have died.”
4. TRUST YOUR TRIBE
They’re the people that are there for you through thick and thin. They can be your family, your friends and even your colleagues.
Erin says your tribe will play a significant role in your success whether it’s by offering advice, support or wine.
“You need these people there. They love and embrace your craziness. They listen to your ideas, and they don’t judge you when you fail.”
5. LIVE EVERY MOMENT
Erin says that you don’t know what’s around the corner and that it’s important to live every moment and make as many memories as you can while you’re still able to. That’s certainly what she’s doing every day.
If you need help or someone to talk, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24/7, free and confidential support. The number is 1800-273-8255.
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