No one ever has it easy all the time. Even the richest of the rich, the happiest of the happiest have their dark days when even they, the seemingly-lucky ones, cannot help but wonder whether or not the whole world is conspiring against them. Adversity, after all, is a fickle beast. It can either strike suddenly, blindingly or it can be seen creeping up slowly but surely from miles and miles away. Either way, everyone has that period in their lives when things just do not seem to go right and when there is, seemingly, nothing that can be done about the brooding turmoil.

It could be just as simple as a case of the Mondays, when a passing cab splatters you with an unexpected cold shower by going over a rainwater-filled sinkhole, or it could be a complex series of events that lead you to question everything you had ever stood for or believed. Regardless of what the definition of adversity may be (and the definition varies greatly from person to person), it is important to not give into the tempting pity party that, ultimately, does nothing but makes you feel even worse.

There are, essentially, two very basic types of adversity. There is the type of adversity that you have no control over and/or have not seen coming or there is a different type of adversity that has been caused by your own actions and doings. The first type is likely to make you feel frustrated and angry; the second type will make you feel defeated and guilty. Let’s tackle a recovery plan for this second type of adversity first as it takes a bit longer to bounce back from and as it may be more damaging to your psyche.

First and foremost, you need to remember that, no matter what you did to cause your own misfortune, it is never too late to get back on the right path. Is your adversity of a moral kind? Stop doing what you think is wrong, even if it feels good deep inside. Has your adversity been caused by a misstep or a mistake in regards to a loved one? Apologize, even if there is no chance of another person or people of forgiving you. Be selfish in that, by apologizing, you are, above all, lifting a burden off your shoulders. This is where you take care of yourself by doing the right thing, whatever that may be in your head, and however hard it is to do it.

Blame yourself, when applicable, but do not blame yourself for too long. Yes, it is okay to have a pity party, but make it a day-long affair, instead of dragging it out for weeks and weeks and wallowing in your own self-pity. It is, after all, perfectly fine to feel sorry for yourself, as you are, like most of us, your own biggest fan. However, it is not okay to let your pity party get in your own way by letting it swallow you alive. Give yourself a grace period but, ultimately, decide to snap out of the funk.

For the both types of adversity - the kind caused by you or caused by others - you need to fix what is torturing you. ‘Fixing what is torturing you’ is a very broad concept, as ‘adversity’ is an almost all-encompassing term. However, you need to stay in tune with what can make you happy and with having a goal, no matter how small that goal may be, that will get you back on the road of this happiness.

No matter what happens, make the best out of your situation. Yes, that is, by far, much easier said than done, but just give this exercise a try. If your adversity means that your very best friend is refusing to speak to you, give him or her some space and occupy yourself with making some new friends before making amends with the old ones again. If you have lost a significant amount of money in the stock market, take it as a financial lesson and give advice to others in a similar situation on what investments not to make.

Write out a plan of action that you think is reasonable and feasible. Do not set unattainable goals that will only make you feel more depressed if you fail trying. Start off with baby steps, until you feel like you can take bigger leaps. Post your plan up on your refrigerator or on your dresser’s mirror so you are in a constant reminder of your ultimate goal. This is much like training for a marathon or repeating daily affirmations - the more you see your goal and the steps to get to it, the more you will aim your efforts towards achieving the said goal.

If you encounter minor missteps or setbacks to your plan, try not to get too discouraged. So what that you could not succeed at a first try? Having a plan is a plan in and of itself. Drafting up a list of steps to take to make you happier is all in an effort to give you back some control over the adversity you are facing. Be your own motivational speaker, or enlist the aid of a trusted friend to tell you that you are not completely helpless in your situation.

Lastly, a quick final word of advice: know and remember that just about everyone has been in a similar boat that you are in right now. In solidarity, there is solace and in solace, there is redemption.