By Helen Huntsman

Okay, so apparently “despaired” isn’t technically a word—but we’re going to pretend it is, because it just fits.

About a month and a half ago, I found myself scribbling in my journal, deep in a funk. I literally wrote, “I have been discouraged, disappointed, and despaired. I recognize that these emotions have been going on for several weeks… Dear God, today is a bad day. I’m going for a walk.”

And so, I went on a walk.

Let’s Talk About the Law of Vibration

This isn’t just an article about being discouraged, disappointed, and despaired (our new favorite word). I want to offer a few ideas—some frames of reference—for understanding the Law of Vibration.

In her book Hidden Treasures, Leslie Householder explains the Law of Vibration using something most of us vaguely remember from 9th grade chemistry. Molecules vibrate. Water evaporates. Steam condenses. It’s all about movement—energy shifting from one state to another.

To work with the Law of Vibration, we first have to know where we are. I have to know where I am. Before I can shift, before I can raise my vibration or get to a new emotional place, I have to start by asking:
“Where are my feet?”

I can’t move forward without grounding myself in the present. That means literally getting present. I feel my feet. I tap my toes. I feel my feet.

I’ve learned that I can’t bypass what I’m feeling. I have to name it and feel it—otherwise, I’ll end up picking a fight, stress shopping, or eating everything in the pantry. And none of that actually helps.

Discouraged. Disappointed. Despaired.

So, back to those three words. I knew I had to stop, “feel my feet,” and really let myself feel them. I sat down, wrote out my emotions, and even looked up definitions—because clarity is powerful. I needed to define where I was so I could figure out where I wanted to go.

That’s how I started raising my vibration.

I focused on “despaired,” because what I was feeling was a real, gut-level loss of hope.

I looked up synonyms: sorrow, despondency, mournful.
Um… ew. No thank you.

Then I looked up antonyms: optimism, hope, encouragement, cheer.

Much better.

And you know what? That shift—that movement—started with me being honest about where I was. I had this visual of a Charlie Brown-style raincloud following me around. I knew that if I wanted to move anywhere else, I had to start right there. I had to feel my feet.

Key Takeaways to Consider

I’m still learning how to name and navigate my emotions in a way that supports this process. But here’s what helped me:

1. Recognize my emotions

2. Write them out—just word vomit, no filter

3. Sketch how I’m feeling—I literally drew a raincloud

4. Write a letter to God

5. Act on inspiration—I felt prompted to go for a walk, so I went

6. Act again—During that walk, three friends came to mind, and I called them

I hope something in my experience helps you in yours.

All my best,
Helen Huntsman
P.S. I’d love to connect on social media! Join me @PivotYourLife!

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