We often come into the journey of our recovery, healing, or personal growth with a misconception: if we just “do the work,” life will magically become easier. The pain will subside. The struggles will melt away. Everything will fall into place.

But here’s the truth: Doing the work doesn’t make life easier. You just get better at handling hard things.

What “Doing the Work” Really Means

Doing the work isn’t about finding shortcuts to avoid pain or hardship. It’s about building resolve, developing healthier coping mechanisms, and transforming your mindset. It’s about showing up for yourself every day, even when it’s hard, even when you’d rather run away.

When I first began my own journey to food freedom, I desperately wanted the struggle to end. I wanted the urges, the cravings, the relentless mental chatter about food to just stop. I thought if I did enough, if I healed enough, life would become easy.

But that’s not what happened. Instead, I became stronger.

Strength Through Struggle

Recovery taught me how to navigate life’s challenges without turning to food for comfort or distraction. It showed me that the goal isn’t to eliminate hardship but to learn how to face it head on with truth and determination.

Now, when difficult moments come—and they still do—I’m equipped to handle them. I don’t numb out. I don’t retreat. I meet life where it is, trusting that I have the tools to get through it.

Why This Truth Matters

When we accept that life isn’t meant to be easy, we stop feeling like we’re failing whenever hardship shows up. We stop blaming ourselves for not having it all together. We stop waiting for a magical day when everything feels perfect.

Instead, we embrace the truth that resolve is built through the doing. Every hard moment faced without resorting to old, destructive patterns is a victory.

How to Get Better at Handling Hard Things

1. Commit to the Work Daily.

Growth is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous process. Show up for yourself even on the days when it feels impossible.

2. Reframe Your Mindset.

Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What can I learn from this?” Shifting your perspective empowers you to move forward.

3. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms.

Whether it’s journaling, talking to a coach, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness—find tools that truly support your well-being.

4. Celebrate Your Progress.

Don’t wait until everything feels easy to celebrate. Acknowledge every hard thing you handle with strength and clarity.

5. Embrace Imperfection.

Handling hard things doesn’t mean handling them perfectly. It means showing up and doing your best, even when it’s messy.

A New Kind of Strength

The work of recovery and growth isn’t about making life easy. It’s about becoming stronger, more resolved, and more capable of facing life’s inevitable challenges with courage and grace.

If you’re ready to get better at handling hard things, not by avoiding them but by growing through them, I’m here to support you. You don’t have to do this alone.

Click on the image below to learn more about me and my Food Freedom Program.