Are you challenging yourself or just getting by? Both are ok, but the positivity of our experience depends on the worth we place on what we do.

If you see 'getting by' as something that you must endure instead of an intentional effort to move through something difficult, you are likely to feel less positive than if you were to decide to actively and healthily get through it.

We are living in strange and challenging times. For me, one of the most challenging aspects is how powerless I feel with the changes in my life.

Finding purpose can give us a sense of control in circumstances where we feel powerless. If we can find a way to make meaning out of something senseless, this can improve our experience and lead to some pretty good silver linings!

Out of the box Psychology is my most recent example of finding some purpose in a difficult time. Developing an online platform had been a plan for a while; After I unexpectedly found myself homeschooling three young humans, having lost the usual outlets for my brain, I decided to get started.

We don't have to look far to find examples of how life has changed and how restricted our alternatives are. It takes more deliberate thinking, but it's worth looking outside the box to see how you can create meaning from a bunch of life's lemons.

For me its bravery to launch into the unknown arena of the interwebs, for others it is creating care packages for frontline workers, providing entertainment via Tik Tok, checking on a neighbour, or developing some self-care skills.

What you choose isn't as important as the meaning it brings to your life. With purpose, you can unite, inspire, and come out of a challenging time with some unexpected gifts (even if you haven't picked up a new language!). .

What unexpected power have you found in finding your purpose?