We’ve all had that experience when something unpleasant has come up, and the thought of facing it is so overwhelming that all we want to do is avoid it altogether. Whether it’s a difficult conversation with your family, a fight with a friend, an uncomfortable work situation, or an internal struggle; we often think that avoidance is the only solution, however avoidance only leads to more internal unease over time. Avoiding the dilemma will not erase it, instead it may cause you to develop unpleasant thoughts or feelings about yourself. When you take ownership and decide to handle it right away; you will start to feel better and grow as a person.
Avoidance can cause further problems.
When we use avoidance as our main coping mechanism, we are essentially running away from our problems, and our minds are left spinning in circles and worrying about the unknown. This type of behavior can lead to feelings of shame and guilt because deep down you know that you are not confronting your issues. Over time, these feelings can develop into anxiety or depression. Avoiding conflict will only make your problems bigger down the road and they will become harder to tackle when the time comes for solution.
Why you should handle your issues right away.
When something comes up that makes us uncomfortable, take a few moments to pause and reflect on what action steps need to be taken, in order to address the matter. Some action steps you can take are speaking up for yourself in difficult conversations, seeking support or advice for your situation, being honest with yourself by taking responsibility, making amends for any unfavorable behavior, planning a schedule for better organization, setting boundaries, etc. Every situation is unique and will require a different action step. However, taking those action steps can help you to become better equipped for handling avoidance in the future; developing healthier relationships overall with ourselves and others.
Ask for help if you need it!
Do not be afraid to ask for help when needed. This can take many forms such as talking with friends and family, seeking help from professionals like therapists or life coaches, joining support groups, etc. There are so many ways we can seek out assistance when facing internal unease from avoidance. You should never feel like you have to tackle everything on your own; there are people out there who want to help!
Avoidance never solves the problem; in fact, it just creates more problems. Taking care of the issue right away allows you to move forward in your life, feeling at peace within yourself, and focusing on your next priority. If you are not certain on how to proceed, then ask for help. Accepting help is essential for personal growth and development in any area of life! After all, life is too short to be spent avoiding things that make us uncomfortable!