13 Ways To Trust The Process When It Feels Hard

“Trust the process” is a powerful reminder to have faith and patience. And here is how to do so when life gets overwhelming.

We are often told to trust the process. We will get what we want at the right time of life. But it is easier said than done when your progress is too small to be noticed. Or when you are surrounded by people who seem happier and more successful.

In times of doubt, how do you stay patient and wait for things to naturally unfold? While it may be helpful to repeat the statement as a mantra, there are some practical ways to restore faith and the calmness of your mind.

And in this post, we will talk about the meaning of this empowering line and how to trust the process when it feels hard.

The meaning of trusting the process

Trusting the process is not just a reminder to be patient with your growth and to trust the timing of your life. It is also proof of mental strength and confidence.

When you trust the process, you believe that things will always work out, whatever happens. Be it success or life lessons, you will eventually get something out of every circumstance.

Trusting the process also means you believe in your ability to adapt.

Life is constantly changing, and no one has complete control. But if you believe you are flexible and resilient enough to deal with challenges, you will embrace adversity and rise up to it.

How to trust the process when it feels hard

Embrace a growth mindset

A growth mindset is an idea that you have the power to change and improve. When you have a growth mindset, you focus more on your progress than the current results.

You believe that you can be better and reach your goals with practice. Thus you will be more patient even when you are not where you want to be now.

To embrace a growth mindset, use the magic word “yet,” which, according to Ted speaker Carol Dweck, had dramatically changed how children performed at school.

So how does it work?

It’s actually simple. Add the word “yet” to any self-denial sentence. For example, instead of saying, “I can’t do it,” try to say, “I can’t do it yet.”

This slight change of words allows you to trust the process more and inspires you to take action.

Focus on what you can control

“If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too.” This gentle reminder is soul-inspiring because it guides you to focus on what you can control.

So if you struggle to find out what to do next or question whether life is meaningful, this mantra is for you.

Write it down and stick it somewhere you can always see. It will also help to list the things you can control, such as how you respond to difficulties and how well you take care of yourself. So you can get your mind off the things that are off the list.

Learn to be vulnerable

Vulnerability is strength, not weakness. When you embrace your vulnerability, you stop hiding your flaws, struggles, and emotions. It takes off the mask so you can breathe freely.

You stop rushing or forcing yourself to be successful because you accept the ups and downs in your life with peace.

If it feels hard to tune in to your vulnerable side, these quotes about vulnerability may help you to do so.

Find the lesson in each failure

It’s natural to fear loss or setbacks. But when you see them as a lesson to learn, you can bounce back from failure and gain experience.

Each failure either shows you which way doesn’t work or builds your strength for future success. Failures might be inevitable. But you can make full use of them for your own growth.

Do a brain dump

When your mind is stuffed with overloaded emotions, fear, and worries, it’s hard to trust the process and live in the moment.

In this case, brain dumping will help to restore clarity of mind and bring back your inner peace.

A brain dump refers to writing down anything on your mind. When you dump it on paper, you don’t need to carry the load around. And you can live in the moment with less anxiety and more confidence.

If you are new to brain dumping, here is a printable template to start your first practice.

Keep track of your progress

You may feel frustrated when things are going differently than you want them to. This is the time when you can lose focus on your progress and start blaming yourself.

So to be patient with your growth, a practical strategy is to track your progress. First, write your personal goals down on paper or a tracker.

And then divide the goals into small steps. Every time you achieve a small task, check the box.

This allows you to have a visual reminder of how far you’ve come, so you are aware of the progress you are making.

Celebrate the small wins

Every small achievement is worth celebrating. Whether completing a 3-mile or finishing a task you’ve been putting off, these small wins are signs of improvement.

So with each achievement, take time to celebrate it. It can be as simple as giving yourself a hug or telling yourself, “Well done!”. Treating yourself a self-care gift will also be a good idea.

Fall in love with your growth

When you attach your worth to your achievements or success, it’s hard to trust the process. You only see yourself as worthy when you cross the finish line, and the journey before it becomes meaningless.

But that’s simply not the truth. Each step you take makes you stronger. When you fall in love with how much you’ve grown, you embrace your worthiness.

A way to reinstall self-love is with positive affirmations. For example, try repeating the following statements and see how your feelings change:

• I am a better person each day.
• Look how far I’ve come. I make myself proud.
• I am worthy because I am constantly improving myself.

Have a cheerleader

They can be a light in your darkest hours. And words of encouragement can be what you need to get out of the rut and turn a bad day around.

So if you are feeling stuck or doubting yourself, try to talk to someone that always sees the bright side. And immerse yourself in the positive vibes. You may be surprised how much better you’ll feel when you are with the right people.

Take breaks

Your mind is just like your body. It needs time to recharge. When you push yourself too hard, dashing toward the finish line, you may experience fatigue, numbness, and impatience. These are all signs of burnout that make it hard to trust the process.

Therefore, always take time to rest, even on the busiest days. Fueling yourself in time will allow you to go further and more smoothly.

Keep a gratitude journal

Whether you realize it or not, you are blessed in many ways. Clean water, a home to live in, food on the table, and modern technology all enable you to live the life your ancestors dreamt about.

When you stop taking these small but precious things for granted, you welcome abundance. It’s the best weapon to beat self-doubts and frustrations.

There are many ways to practice gratitude. For example, you can start a gratitude journal, listing 3 things you are grateful for each day. Or you can go deeper by taking on a 30-day gratitude challenge. A grateful heart will give you the fresh perspectives you need to grow and prosper.

Ditch perfectionism

Nobody is perfect. Perfectionism will either bring you disappointment or paralyze your action.

However, when you stop asking yourself to be perfect all the time, you give yourself time and space to grow.

You let things unfold and embrace changes as they fall. This is what trusting the process means: letting go of control and making the most out of each day.

Put in consistent effort

Having faith is not enough. You need positive feedback to support your will in the long run. And that’s why consistency is crucial.

Take time to figure out what to do next, clarify your goals and steps, and then put in the work. Action breeds results, and the results will give you momentum to keep going.

What does “trust the process” mean to you?

So here are the ways to trust the process and be patient with life when it feels hard. Feel free to share your ideas and thoughts in the comment!