How To Have a Better Year in 2020

By Karima Leslie

For those who suffered in 2019, you are not broken, you are breaking through. It's been a hard year. Physically, mentally, emotionally.
 
But the yearnings of your heart do not go unnoticed.
 
Your pain does not fall on deaf ears.
 
For those filled with dread by the new year, be careful not to let all that you've faced in 2019 fill you with anger or resentment or guilt.
 
If 2019 was filled with hardship, it's a feat in itself just to say you survived.
 
Be proud of that. Be proud of you.
 
You made it through so many challenges, so many hurts, so many unexpected events you wished you could have prevented. And the ache in your heart is not being ignored.
 
You are loved and being cared for in ways you could not even imagine; you only need to open your heart to that love again.
 
You are so strong and so brave and now that 2019 has come to a close know that this dark season you are in will eventually come to a close as well.
 
You will get through this.
 
 
How to Have a Better Year In 2020 
I’m (your guest blogger Karima Leslie, Spiritual Life & Business Coach) excited to share a series with you on How to Have a Better Year in 2020. Each blog will contain resources & guidance to help you heal, recover, and flourish this year.  You’ve faced challenges in your life and things are about to get a whole lot better. I’ll show you how.
 
January 2020: Learn to Ask for Help 
Don’t wait until things get bad to ask for help. Waiting until your situation gets dire & desperate to ask others for help is like waiting until your teeth start falling out to go to the dentist. It’s never too late to get help but asking for help early on is a sign of wisdom, not of weakness.
 
It’s ok not to be ok. It’s ok to need help. You don’t have to go it alone.
 
Resources for Emotional & Mental Health Support:  

International 

Counselling

• Online Rehabilitation Counselling, Group Counselling, Christian Counselling, and more available worldwide through Grace & Hope Consulting 
•  https://www.graceandhopeconsulting.com/individuals.html

 
Life Coaching & Mentorship

• Arise and Thrive Co. provides Spiritual Life & Business Coaching for those seeking clarity in their life direction, assistance dealing with change & transition, guidance in improving their emotional & spiritual health, and action plans to set & stick to daily goals. Online and in-person coaching sessions available worldwide.
• https://www.facebook.com/pg/AriseandThriveCo/services/

 
US2-1-1 Crisis support

• If you have been assaulted, abused emotionally or physically, or are having suicidal thoughts 2-1-1 can provide free lifesaving help & resources 24/7 in America and the majority of Canada
• http://www.211.org/

 
Low Income Mental Health Services:

• NAMI Helpline is a free, nation wide service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
•  1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine

Canada 
2-1-1 Crisis support

• If you have been assaulted, abused emotionally or physically, or are having suicidal thoughts 2-1-1 can provide free lifesaving help & resources 24/7 in America and the majority of Canada
• http://211.ca/#/

 
Canadian Low-Income Mental Health Services by Province:

• Index of low-income options for counselling & mental health support
• https://fashionmagazine.com/lifestyle/affordable-mental-health-therapy-canada/ , https://www.flare.com/localist/accessible-mental-health/ , & https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/looking-for-mental-health-services

 
Canadian Mental Health Helplines:

• Hope for Wellness Helpline is a nationwide number you can call for counselling support and crisis intervention for First Nations & Inuit. Call 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310
• Kids Help Phone provides young people with 24/7 online chat or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor. https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to community, support, & resources to survive and thrive. Call 1-877-330-6366 or https://www.translifeline.org/
 
Resources for Financial Help: 

USAmerican Index for Financial Assistance Programs

• Head to https://www.benefits.gov/categories/Financial%20Assistance for government funded financial assistance you can sort through by state

 
American Non-profit Food Assistance Programs

• Feeding America is a non-profit that provides emergency food provision and helps those with long-term needs go through the application process for government programs
• https://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food

 
American Non-profit Medical Cost Assistance

• The HealthWealth Foundation helps underinsured Americans afford treatment by assisting with copays, insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.
• https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
• The Patient Access Network (PAN Foundation) helps patients cover the out-of-pocket costs for the treatment of dozens of rare and life-threatening diseases and updates their website daily with the funding status and availability of financial help within each of their many programs.
• https://www.panfoundation.org/index.php/en/patients/assistance-programs

 
2-1-1 Helpline

• a program run by United Way that assists those in need in: housing & utilities issues, jobs & employment issues, human trafficking victim support, veteran support and more. When you dial 2-1-1 a trained professional is there to provide expert, caring help and is available 24/7 in America and the majority of Canada
• http://www.211.org/

 
Canada 

Canadian Financial Assistance Programs

• Funded by the government, head to https://benefitsfinder.services.gc.ca where you can filter financial assistance programs based on your situation, province, & age

 
Canadian Non-profit Medical Cost Assistance

• Hope Air is a charity that provides free flights to low income Canadians who need to travel to seek medical care that is not available in their communities. https://hopeair.ca/
• The Ronald McDonald House provides housing and accommodation for families with seriously ill children undergoing treatment, helping keep families together during their most difficult times. https://www.rmhccanada.ca/

 
2-1-1 Helpline

• a program run by United Way that assists those in need in: housing & utilities issues, jobs & employment issues, human trafficking victim support, veteran support and more. When you dial 2-1-1 a trained professional is there to provide expert, caring help and is available 24/7 in America and the majority of Canada
• http://211.ca/#/

 
International

• Free Crowdfunding & Fundraising Online Platforms like https://www.gofundme.com/
• Local Churches, Charities, & Hospitals
• Family & Friends

Meet karima...

Certified Spiritual Life & Business Coach, Karima Leslie, provides one-on-one online and in-person coaching sessions to help women kill overwhelm, boost confidence, & conquer fear. She is currently running sessions focused on clarity for life direction, support in creating meaningful goals, assistance through life transition & changes, and encouragement in pursuing all that you want to achieve.

Founder of Arise and Thrive Co., check out her services & resource on ​Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AriseandThriveCo/,
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ariseandthriveco/ , or contact her directly at karima.author@ariseandthriveco.com to book a free session and find out your next step is to making 2020 a better year!

---