The People That Get You Through

Today’s Topics

• Drag Me Along 😵‍💫

• Out of Cope 🍫

  7 Mins Read Time

Drag Me Along 😵‍💫

By Jo

Sometimes in life, you just need that one person. That one voice of reason. That mentor. That friend. That solid figure who sees you not just for where you are, but for who you could be — even when you’ve forgotten it yourself.

Professionally, that kind of guidance might come, or it might not. The truth is, everyone doesn’t have the patience or the humility to be coached. Letting someone build you up is a process — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But if you do allow it? You’ll be better equipped for everything that comes after.

I’ve had the blessing of that experience more than once.

When I hit rock bottom (10 years ago) — laid off, dealing with family health issues, losing what felt like a promising relationship, and going through a laundry list of troubles all at once — someone stepped in. This person saw past my situation and spoke to my potential. They didn’t just give me pep talks — they equipped me with real-life lessons and transferable skills that helped me survive and move into the next chapter of my journey. That type of mentorship, where someone cares enough to invest in both your personal and professional development, is rare — and highly underrated.

And it didn’t stop there. At every critical turning point in my life, someone showed up. Even when I was going through a subtle identity crisis — trying to figure out where I belonged and if I could truly be me and still succeed — I had a friend, now more like an older brother, prove to me that authenticity is powerful. He taught me that I didn’t have to perform or fit in to earn my place. I could be myself and still get results. He was instrumental during my collegiate years, and even now, he’s someone who stands firmly in my corner — right, wrong, or indifferent.

People like that don’t just get you through — they shape who you become.

So if you’re blessed enough to find those people, appreciate them. Learn from them. And when the time is right… be that person for someone else.

Out of Cope 🍫

By Marcus

Good ol’ coping mechanisms.

You can’t live without them.

The challenge is that not all coping mechanisms are built equally. Some do more harm than good, while others may feel out of reach, or even taboo depending on your background.

An easy comparison: exercise and meditation are healthy coping mechanisms, while excessive drinking and self-harm sit clearly on the opposite end of the spectrum.
The thing about coping mechanisms is that if you aren’t mindful, you can easily fall into unhealthy patterns.

More Stress – More Eats

Many years ago, I realized I had a habit of stress eating as a coping mechanism. Of course, it was obvious this wasn’t a good thing, but that didn’t stop me.

I first recognized the issue while working a high-stress job (because of course, that’s how I’d learn). My job was right next to a gas station. It was one of those fancy ones with fresh food, ice cream, and the works. I noticed that when my day got stressful, I’d walk next door and grab candy or some other treat. It was never healthy food.

One day, I paused and admitted to myself how unhealthy the pattern was, and decided I needed to get a handle on it.

So, I went back to a strategy I used in college: buying candy but letting it sit, untouched, on my desk or TV stand as a test of willpower. This time, I put a twist on it.

Here’s how it went down:

To start, I bought my favorite candy at the time—a Twix bar—and set it on the corner of my office desk. As soon as the stress kicked in, the urge to eat it hit hard. But I reminded myself: The goal here is to find a healthier way to deal with stress.

I got through it. First win in the books.

Here’s where it gets weird.

I still hadn’t fully shaken the urge to eat junk food. Every now and then, I’d crave something new and head back to the gas station. So I did what made sense (to me): I bought whatever I wanted and added it to the pile. Over time, my desk became home to a taped-together snowball of candy bars and junk food.

My co-workers judged me (maybe you are too), laughed, and joked about whether I’d ever eat the “bundle” or raffle it off.

But my unorthodox method worked.

Instead of eating the candy, I took short breaks, listened to music, or knocked out a few push-ups to shift my mental state. I learned that the candy wasn’t what I needed, it was just a default.

Bonus Multiplier

We need coping mechanisms to survive. The problem is many of the unhealthy ones are the easiest to access.

But here’s the unexpected benefit: by cutting the stress eating, my health improved, and I saved money. Money I could invest or spend on something more meaningful to me, like a new video game or an experience.

What multipliers can you add?

Growing up, many of us had limited exposure to different coping mechanisms. We learned what we saw. So it’s important to explore healthier options that serve you better.

In the end, what gets you through, gets you through. It’s up to you to decide what actually supports your well-being.

Experiment a little. See what works. And who cares if people judge?

It’s your life.

Cope wisely.