Alright, let’s talk about rock bottom. You know, that place we all think we’ve hit at least once or twice in our lives. That moment when you’re lying face down on the metaphorical floor of life, thinking, “Well, shit. This must be it. Rock bottom.”

But here’s the kicker – and trust me, you’re probably not going to like this – if you’re reading this right now, chances are you’re not even close to rock bottom. Not by a long shot.

The Uncomfortable Truth

Let’s get real for a second. If you think you’ve hit rock bottom, but you’re still scrolling through Instagram, binging Netflix, or [insert your personal time-wasting vice here], you’re not at rock bottom. You’re just wallowing in a pit of your own making.

True rock bottom isn’t just having a crappy day, week, or even year. It’s not losing your job, going through a nasty breakup, or realising you’ve got more month left at the end of your money. Those things suck, no doubt about it. But they’re not rock bottom.

Rock bottom is when the pain of staying the same finally outweighs the pain of change. It’s when you’re so sick of your own BS that you have no choice but to do something about it. And let me tell you, it’s not a fun place to be.

If you’re still coasting along in your misery without making any moves to shake things up, you’re not at rock bottom. You’re just getting comfortable in your discomfort.

And that, my friends, is a dangerous place to be.

The Leaky Boat Analogy

Picture this: You’re in a leaky boat. Water’s coming in, and you’re starting to panic. You might think you’re screwed when the water’s at your ankles. “This is it,” you tell yourself. “I’m done for.”

But here’s the thing: if you’re not actively bailing water or swimming for shore, you’re going to find out just how much worse it can get when that water reaches your neck. And trust me, it can always get worse.

That’s the painful truth about rock bottom. If you think you’re there, but you’re not changing anything, you’ve still got a lot of pain to endure before you reach that breaking point that forces real change.

The Silver Lining

Now, before you close this tab and go back to doom-scrolling or whatever it is you do to avoid your problems, hear me out. There’s actually some good news hidden in all of this.

If you’re not at rock bottom yet, that means you still have room to maneuver. You have the opportunity to make changes before life forces your hand. And believe me, it’s a lot easier to steer the ship before it hits the iceberg.

So, What Now?

1. Get Honest with Yourself: Are you really at rock bottom, or are you just delaying the change you need to make while feeling sorry for yourself? If you haven’t made any significant changes, chances are it’s the latter. Time to look in the mirror and have a brutally honest conversation with yourself.
2. Embrace Discomfort: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. If you’re miserable but comfortable, it’s time to shake things up. Do something that scares you. Hell, do something that terrifies you.
3. Take Action (Any Action): Start small if you have to. Even deciding to brush your teeth or make your bed can be a win. The key is to do something different. Anything. Just move.
4. Find Your Anchor: What’s the one thing that keeps you grounded when everything else is chaos? For me, it’s those gut-wrenching workouts that make me question my life choices. Find yours and cling to it like your life depends on it. Because in a way, it does.
5. Redefine Bottom: Instead of waiting to hit rock bottom, decide that where you are right now is low enough. Make it your launching pad. Because let’s face it, the only way from here is up.

The View from the Real Bottom

Here’s the truth. Everyone’s jealous of what you’ve got, but no one’s jealous of how you got it. The view from the top? It’s earned through blood, sweat, and tears. And sometimes, through what feels like rock bottom.

But the real growth, the real character-building stuff? It happens when you decide to change before life forces you to. It’s in the struggle, in the climb, in the moments where you choose discomfort over stagnation.

So the next time you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, ask yourself: “Am I really there? Or do I just want to be?” Because if you’re not changing anything, you’re not at rock bottom. You’re just rehearsing for it. And trust me, that’s one performance you don’t want to perfect.

Are you ready to start bailing water and swimming for shore? Because the alternative is drowning, and I am sure you will agree, that’s not on anyone’s bucket list.

Time to get to work.

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