Victory Over Yourself: How to Not Fall Back into the Pit After a Crisis?

Getting out of a black streak is like climbing a mountain peak: you feel a surge of strength, joy, and pride for the journey you've made. But what happens next? Many people, after achieving long-awaited stability and happiness, suddenly start to slide back into the familiar pit of problems. Old habits return, negative thinking takes over again, and a person is surprised to find that, despite all their efforts, they are back at the same point where they started. Why does this happen? And how can you consolidate positive changes in your life to avoid such a "relapse"?

From a psychological point of view, our psyche strives for stability and predictability. Even if that stability is negative. We get used to certain behavioral patterns, to negative thinking, and to a "victim" role. And when we change these patterns, our psyche begins to resist. It perceives positive changes as a "threat" and tries to return us to our familiar state. It's like a muscle that hasn't worked for a long time: it will hurt and resist when you start to train it. Therefore, it is important not only to get out of a crisis but also to learn to "train" your psyche so that it gets used to a new, positive state.

Preventing a "relapse" is no less important than getting out of the crisis itself. It requires awareness, self-control, and systematic work on oneself. And if you learn to consolidate positive changes, you can not only avoid old problems but also build a truly happy and harmonious life.

Why Does a "Relapse" Happen?

Here are some of the most common reasons why we slide back into the pit of problems:

• Returning to old habits. When we are in a crisis, we form certain habits: passivity, procrastination, negative thoughts. After getting out of the crisis, we can unconsciously return to these habits because they are familiar and "comfortable."
• "False" peace. After getting out of a crisis, we may feel that "that's it, now we can relax." We stop working on ourselves, stop practicing mindfulness. But this is a misconception. Working on yourself is not a one-time event but a continuous process.
• Fear of success. We may subconsciously fear success because it brings new challenges, new responsibilities, and new risks. And to avoid this fear, we unconsciously sabotage our achievements.
• Negative environment. If we return to an environment where we are constantly criticized, devalued, or envied, we can fall back into old patterns.
• Lack of new goals. After achieving the goal of getting out of the crisis, we may lose motivation. We need new, inspiring goals to move forward.

Recognizing these reasons is the first step to avoiding a "relapse" and consolidating positive changes.

How to Consolidate Positive Changes: Practical Steps

Consolidating positive changes is a process that requires continuous work on yourself. Here are a few practical steps to help you stay on top.

1. Continue to Practice Mindfulness

Don't stop there. Continue to keep a journal, writing down your thoughts and emotions. Practice mindfulness in your daily life. When you feel old thoughts or habits returning, stop and ask yourself: "Why am I reacting this way? Is this an old pattern or a new, healthy reaction?" This will help you break the automatic reaction and make a conscious choice.

2. Create "Anchors" of Positivity

"Anchors" are objects, places, or actions that you associate with positive changes. This could be your favorite music, a certain place for walks, or even special clothes you wore during a happy period. These "anchors" will help you quickly return to a resourceful state when you feel like you're sliding into negativity.

3. Set New Goals

To not slide back, you need to move forward. Set new, inspiring goals for yourself. They can be both grand goals and something simple: learn a new language, learn to play a musical instrument, or run a marathon. New goals will maintain your motivation and give you a sense of momentum.

4. Change Your Environment

If your environment is toxic, it will drag you back down. Limit contact with people who criticize or devalue you. Instead, surround yourself with people who inspire and support you. Their positive energy will fuel you and help you move forward.

5. Remember That a "Relapse" Is Normal

No path is perfectly straight. There will be times when you will feel like you are sliding back. This is normal. Don't blame yourself for it. Instead, treat it with understanding and compassion. Remember that a "relapse" is not a defeat but just a temporary stop on the way. By recognizing this, you can quickly get back on the right path.

Getting out of a black streak is only the beginning of the journey. To consolidate positive changes and build a truly happy life, you need to continue to work on yourself, set new goals, and surround yourself with the right people. Remember that you are not a victim of circumstances but the creator of your own destiny.

We've thoroughly explored how chronic failures are not a coincidence, but rather a consequence of internal beliefs and behavioral patterns that can return after a crisis. We've analyzed its roots and discussed practical steps to overcome them. But what do you do next? How do you translate this knowledge into real changes in your life? I once found myself in a similar situation, where I had a lot of theoretical knowledge, but my life wasn't getting any better. This is what prompted me to create the step-by-step guide «The Labyrinth of Life». This book is a practical guide that will help you not only understand the causes of your failures but also start acting to get out of a «black streak» once and for all and get your life on track. To begin your journey toward change, simply go back to the very beginning, to the «Introduction» section.