Ever feel like life's just one big storm cloud, and you’re caught without an umbrella? Yeah, I’ve been there too. Those moments when challenges hit hard, one after another, can leave you feeling soaked, shivering, and wondering when the sun will ever break through.
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, or rather, full-blown tempests, our way. No one is immune. But here’s the good news: just as storms are a part of life, so is our incredible ability to weather them. We call it resilience. It's that inner strength that helps us bend without breaking and eventually find our footing again. Sometimes, all it takes is a little reminder of how strong we truly are, and quotes can be powerful anchors in these times.
At GoodExistence.com, we’re all about finding that good existence, even when the skies are grey. Our founder, Stephen Montagne, knows a thing or two about storms. He navigated his way through gaming addiction, binge eating, unhealthy drinking, and a general sense of laziness. He lost over 110 pounds (50+ kilograms) and built a life of purpose and balance. His journey wasn't a walk in the park; it was about facing his own storms and learning to dance in the rain.
So, let's explore some wisdom that can help us all through life's downpours.
The Uninvited Guests: What Storms Really Bring
Storms are rarely welcome. They disrupt our plans, test our limits, and can leave us feeling vulnerable. But they also bring something else: lessons. Think about it. When Stephen was battling those unhealthy habits, each challenge was a storm. It was uncomfortable, sure, but overcoming them taught him discipline, self-awareness, and the power of consistent effort. Storms carve out new depths within us.
Here are some thoughts on these uninvited teachers:
-
"Storms don't last forever." – Unknown
This is a simple truth, but so easy to forget when you're in the thick of it. Hold onto this. -
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Our struggles build our skills. Each challenge you overcome equips you for the next. -
"When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about." – Haruki Murakami
Storms change us, often for the better, revealing strengths we never knew we had. -
"The greater the storm, the brighter the rainbow." – Unknown
The relief and beauty after a particularly tough time can be incredibly profound. -
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." – Helen Keller
Easy times are nice, but hard times build who we are. -
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." – Friedrich Nietzsche
A classic for a reason. We often emerge from hardship tougher than before.
Finding Your Strength When the Wind Howls
So, storms come. What then? We build our resilience. It’s not about avoiding the rain; it’s about learning to stand firm, or even dance a little. Stephen found his resilience through several key practices. He built a productive routine with short bursts of deep work (2–4 hours). This helped him tackle overwhelming tasks without burning out – like taking on a storm one gust at a time.
He also learned to celebrate small wins. When he was losing weight, every pound lost, every healthy meal chosen, was a small victory that fueled the next step. Daily gratitude helped him focus on the good, even on tough days. And importantly, strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith gave him a profound sense of purpose and an unshakable anchor. His relationship with God became his ultimate shelter.
Here’s some inspiration for finding your own inner shelter:
-
"Resilience is knowing that you are the only one that has the power and the responsibility to pick yourself up." – Mary Holloway
You have that power within you. It's about choosing to use it. -
"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain." – Vivian Greene
This is a game-changer. Find joy and learning even in the midst of challenges. -
"The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance." – Jodi Picoult
You are more adaptable and stronger than you think. -
"It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed." – Doe Zantamata
Your inner light is always there. Sometimes, it takes darkness to see it shine. -
"The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived." – Robert Jordan
Flexibility is a superpower. Learn to bend, adapt, and you'll endure. -
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" – Mary Anne Radmacher
Keep going. That quiet determination is immense courage. -
"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." – C.S. Lewis
For those with faith, this resonates. Trusting the path, even when it's hard, is key. Stephen found immense peace in trusting God's plan through his storms.
Simple Steps to Weather Any Storm
Knowing storms come and that we can be resilient is one thing. Having a few practical steps for when the rain starts pouring is another. It’s about having a few go-to strategies, like grabbing your spiritual or mental raincoat.
Here are a few simple things that can make a big difference:
- Acknowledge the storm: Don't try to ignore it or pretend it's not happening. Facing reality is the first step. Stephen had to first admit his habits were destructive before he could change them.
- Break it down: Big storms feel overwhelming. Focus on the next small step. For Stephen's weight loss, it wasn't about losing 110 pounds at once; it was about the next healthy meal, the next workout.
- Lean on your anchors: What keeps you steady? For Stephen, his faith was a huge anchor. For you, it might be family, friends, a mentor, your purpose, or creative outlets.
- Remember your past victories: You've weathered storms before. Remind yourself of what you learned and how you got through. You did it then, you can do it now.
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. Storms are hard. It's okay to not be okay sometimes.
And a few more words of wisdom to carry with you:
-
"You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there." – Ed Cole
Keep moving. Keep trying. Don't let the struggle define your endpoint. -
"Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
Persistence is everything. Each time you get up, you’re building resilience. -
"Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." – Nelson Mandela
The getting up part is where true strength is shown. -
"The comeback is always stronger than the setback." – Unknown
Believe in your ability to bounce back even stronger. -
"Though the storms rage, we will not be shaken." – Inspired by Psalm 62:2
Find that unshakeable part of yourself, your faith, or your core beliefs. -
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all." – Emily Dickinson
Never lose hope. It's the little bird that keeps singing, even in the storm. -
"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." – Kahlil Gibran
Your scars tell a story of survival and strength. Wear them with pride.
Storms are a guarantee in life. But so is the sunrise after them. Each one you face, each challenge you navigate, builds a stronger, more resilient you. You learn more about what you're capable of, what truly matters, and how to find light even in the darkest moments.
So, I leave you with this thought: What’s one small way you can prepare for, or navigate through, your current storm today? Maybe it’s reaching out to a friend, taking a few deep breaths, or simply acknowledging, "This is tough, but I am tougher." You've got this.
