Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network

Accept things as they are

It is challenging to acknowledge when a situation is hard, especially when you think it should be different. Here are some steps to help you accept things as they are and recognize when you are struggling to do this:

1. Notice when you are trying to change or deny things that can’t be changed. This may lead to thoughts of despair or unfairness, or to feeling emotions such as anger and frustration.
2. Remind yourself that “It is what it is,” and nothing can be done now. You may need to do this multiple times a day/hour/minute, depending on the situation and your mental state.
3. While acknowledgment is important, so is allowing yourself to feel the emotions that come along with it, such as sadness and disappointment. These feelings are healthy.