The Calm Before The Storm

Life is full of ups, downs, and everything in between. Some people experience more of one type of the aforementioned situations than others. With these bringers of emotions have come many sayings - from light being at the end of a tunnel to time healing all wounds. One of these is there being calm before a storm.

What does this mean, exactly? Well, difficult circumstances in life don’t always seem obviously trying at first. Sometimes, there is a period of time beforehand when everything seems perfectly fine and dandy. This is the title “calm before the storm.”

Calm time periods as suggested by the quote may range from mild and soothing to exciting times of happiness. The aura and vibes could be tranquil and relaxing or pure elation incarnate.

During these days, you might not be too frightened about what’s going to happen in the future. Or maybe you do know what could happen sometime soon - but can’t bring yourself to care that much. Maybe you just want to enjoy the wonderful moments you’re having and try your best to live your life to the fullest before you may not be able to.

Regardless, pre-storm calmness is a great thing when it breaks up calamities separated by time. Sure, it doesn’t last forever. But it is nice to have a break from chaos and despair - even if it’s temporary. These opportunities are things which we, as human beings who think and feel, can cherish for their pleasantries.

What about when there’s little stress preceding the nice period and just a lot of stuff unexpectedly dumped on one afterwards? Does this calmness really have the same effect as the kind which serves as more of a short-term break? Well, the answer can be rather complicated.

On one hand, there’s more time in such a situation like the one above to create good memories to cherish before all that doom and gloom arrives. One can casually go out with their friends. Spend time with family. Have intimate moments with a paramour. Heck, one could even just have some alone time to do hobbies like reading and crafts.

On the other hand, though, the sudden arrival of incoming exhaustion and hurt can really startle you. After all, you’re having the time of your life when everything comes crashing down with no good warning. The lack of pre-existing red flags is something which could easily result in little preparation for the dread that follows. This may lead to it being mishandled.

Ultimately, I personally think that the best option when it comes to calmness coming before a figurative storm is when the two above situations are combined into one.

In this scenario, the starting circumstances are long and hopeful, but the dreary future is already anticipated. This way, one is able to enjoy life while also having the ability to prepare for hardship.

Of course, said situation wouldn’t be perfect. The serious stuff which would inevitably come wouldn’t exactly be fun to know of, perhaps dampening one’s enjoyment of the preceding lightness and fun.

But when compared to the previous two situations where one would either be stressed before and after the calmness or be completely unprepared for the seriousness, knowing what negatives are to come for the future so one can prepare - mentally and physically - while having time to bask in the joy or relaxation of the present is perhaps better.

In the end, though, all three types of “calm before the storm” scenarios have the ability to occur in life. As such, it’s important to be able to appreciate the peaceful and happy moments in life when they’re there.

Any other thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments!

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