For all of us, the years between 2020 and 2022 were challenging. But while some made it through the pandemic with only minor adjustments, many others struggled in more ways than one.
For those who struggled greatly, the pandemic only amplified their feelings and thoughts of helplessness.
Overcoming Learned Helplessness
One way I try to overcome feelings of helplessness is to identify examples, whether in my life or someone else’s, that success in the face of adversity is possible.
Learning from others’ experiences can be a tremendous source of knowledge and a helpful way to learn valuable lessons.
Here are a few people who have been through difficulty – people who felt helpless at many points in their life – yet continued to persevere despite their difficult circumstances.
Being Inspired by Others
Malala Yousafzai – as a young girl in Pakistan, Malala’s hometown was overtaken by the Taliban. Yet, even as the Taliban limited girls’ education by blowing up schools, Malala wrote an anonymous blog for BBC about life under Taliban rule and girls’ right to education. She wrote while hearing artillery in the background, but it didn’t stop her from sharing her message. She was 12 years old when she started writing and 17 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Helen Keller – Before her second birthday, Keller became deaf and blind. Despite her disability, she learned to read and write and earned her bachelor’s degree. She was also instrumental in the women’s suffrage movement.
Ludwig von Beethoven – He is considered one of the greatest composers of all time. His father developed alcoholism, and his mother died when he was young. But perhaps most remarkably, most of Beethoven’s great symphonies were composed after he became deaf.
Nelson Mandela – In apartheid South Africa, Mandela became a lawyer when it was difficult for any person of colour to achieve any kind of success. After protesting the racist system of government, Mandela was imprisoned and tortured for over 20 years. Yet after his release, he became the first democratically elected president in South Africa.
Summary
The people identified above are just a handful of famous individuals who overcame tremendous obstacles to achieve great things.
However, people who overcome significant obstacles are around us everywhere. Many of them are clients in my counselling practice.
Survivors of physical and sexualized abuse. Refugees from war-torn countries. Youth growing up to the sounds of gunshots and gang violence. Survivors of racial trauma.
These are all examples of individuals who regularly feel helpless yet continue attempting to change the course of their life.
I don’t always recommend that a person compare themselves with others.
But if you are going to spend time thinking of how helpless you are, you also need to think about those who have worked to overcome similar feelings of helplessness.
Learn from your present situation, but don’t let feelings of helplessness dictate the course of your future.
Richard
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