Standing By Family In Their Darkest Hours

Whatever form it may take, whether romantic, platonic or familial, there are times when loving someone gets difficult, especially so if you or your family is going through a rough patch in their lives. Whether you have a family that’s transitioning between new stages in their lives, or they’ve hit a bump on the road, no matter how hard it gets, it’s important to keep on loving and supporting them through these trying times.

Here are a few ways you can do just that.

1. Empathize what they’re going through

Although it can be a hard thing to do, putting yourself in your loved one’s shoes is a good first step to giving them the support they need. You can’t really give them help if you refuse to understand what they’re going through. Understanding them without giving any judgement requires an open mind, but by doing so, you’ve already taken a huge step nobody else is willing to do. It may not seem like much, but the people you love will certainly appreciate the effort.

2. Be there for them unconditionally

This is especially important for people suffering from drug addiction. The last thing you’d want to do when somebody is going through a rough patch is to leave them alone. These people tend to not be in their right minds and they have a good chance of doing something they or you might regret someday. Being there for someone through all the stages of withdrawal is more than enough. Sometimes, just having a person by their side to talk to is enough to help them think straight.

3. Be honest

While it may seem counterintuitive, try not to sugarcoat what they’re going through. Be as earnest as you can when you talk to them. Lying to them, even if it’s for their own good will only make your connection seem shallow and would paint you as insincere. Being honest though doesn’t mean you’re throwing kindness out of the window. Tell them the truth of the matter but give them a light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to.

4. Don’t force positivity

Sometimes the last thing anyone would want to hear when they’re going through something is when somebody tells them to just calm down, or to just stop being sad. Forcing them into a certain mindset will only make them more withdrawn, especially so if they feel pressured to do it. The best way you can deal with this is by simply allowing them to cope with it themselves, at their own pace. Just provide good support and a shoulder they can lean on, and everything should work out fine.

5. Be patient

Dealing with a rough patch in a person’s life is difficult, especially so if you have your own life to worry about. Never lose patience though. The moment you start losing it, everything you’ve worked on so far will be all for nothing. Give them all the time they need to work things out. Whatever few minutes or hours you lose can be easily adjusted for, but never a family’s trust in you if you ever lose it.

Love by its very nature involves commitment. If you have a family member that’s going through rough times, then they’ll be needing all the commitment you can give. If you conduct yourself well enough when your family needs you the most, then maybe in the future, if you find yourself in that same predicament, you wouldn’t be short on support either.