Hey {{ first name | there }}! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. If you’re new around here, welcome! 👋  You can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: When life-changing tragedies strike, productivity tends to go out the window (understandably so). What can you do to support yourself through the hardest times of your life? How do you keep going when even sitting still feels like too much? Let’s talk about it.

Major tragedies are an excruciating fact of life.

Breakups, emergencies, bereavements: these hardships can hit so forcefully they derail our entire lives for a time.

In an ideal world, when catastrophe happens, every human would have all the time and space in the world to grieve, recover, and heal.

Unfortunately, life rarely works out that way. Bills still need to be paid; chores still need to get done; vulnerable family members still need to be cared for.

How on earth can you begin to think about this stuff when even breathing and lying in bed feel like too much effort?

Let’s explore some ways you can balance your recovery process with life’s must-do demands.

While everyone copes differently, there’s one thing we’ve all likely experienced:

The pressure to “pick back up” and “carry on” as though life is normal.

Whether that pressure is internal or external, it’s not how humans (usually) work. And it can actually sabotage your healing process.

If “getting back into the swing of things” is what you find most helpful, that’s valid, too. But regardless of your ability to function, try supporting yourself with these compassionate mindsets:

Read on for a few more strategies to keep moving in ways that respect and nurture your energy levels and emotional state.

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Now, here’s how to keep going!

Now, on to the more practical tips for getting through this.

Fun fact: In February, our author writing this completely forgot to submit two drafts and had to be reminded. And yes, it was because their life was falling apart (hence the inspo for this newsletter).

But when they missed those deadlines, they took accountability without over-apologizing or groveling. They were realistic about the impact of their slip-up and what was needed to fix it.

They jumped in, got the work done ASAP, and set reminders to prevent future blunders. They also made sure to communicate when they needed extra time or breathing room during the month.

And they trusted the team to understand and have their back, which leads to our next tactic.

Even if it’s obvious to you that life is falling apart and you need more help, it may not be so apparent to your people.

Don’t expect others to read your mind. Tell them not only that you need more support, but also share what kind of support is most helpful or appreciated.

One caveat, though: Not everyone will be able to support you the way you need, or catch you when you fall! Approach these convos with no expectations, knowing that others may be navigating their own tragedies. Release the urge to make assumptions or hold grudges over any perceived lack of support.

How many times have you jumped back into something after a break, the very same moment you felt refreshed enough to continue?

This is the default for many folks. And it usually works fine when life’s going well.

But when everything’s falling apart, related emotions tend to strike at inconvenient times, in weird and unexpected ways.

That’s why simply “refilling” your cup isn’t enough. You need to overfill it.

Whatever helps distract you or bring you even a sliver of joy, go all in on it, and keep going even after you feel replenished.

This creates a reserve of resilience to fall back on in the future when your energy is depleted.

Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

Opening up about what you’re going through or how you’re feeling to others certainly feels scary.

It’s also pretty discouraged by our society. We’re told it’s unprofessional, unsettling, or a sign of weakness to get real with others about the hardships of our lives.

(If you’ve ever tried responding to a casual, “How’s it going?” with “Pretty bad, actually,” you’ll know exactly what we mean.)

But vulnerability is a beautiful thing. It can uncover new avenues of support and deeper connections with others who’ve been in your shoes.

For some, being vulnerable is second-nature. But if it doesn’t come easy to you, try practicing it this season. You might be pleasantly surprised at the results.

A curated list of things worth sharing.

Flocus helps you focus on one step at a time with a calm dashboard designed to keep things simple. We’ve recently overhauled Tasks to be easier to access, edit, and check in on so staying organized doesn’t interrupt your flow.

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Like every newsletter we write, this one’s backed by our real experiences and epiphanies. We hope the insights we’ve learned on our journey will help you along yours 🩷

Thank you for being here with us. Reading your comments and feedback has been a source of joy and light for our author as they mourn a loved one this season.

Next time everything’s going wrong, we hope you’ll remember you’re never alone, and we’re always rooting for you!

Until next Sunday,

Flocus Team