When Life Hands You Fog, Don’t Drive Blindfolded

Stephen King might have taught us to fear the fog, but in reality, it’s just warm ground cooling overnight until the air reaches full humidity, leaving water vapour suspended as fog. Yes, it can be dangerous to drive through, and yes, it can feel ominous—but above it, the sun is still shining. Have you ever thought about how when it’s raining in one place, that it’s sunny somewhere else? The sun doesn’t stop shining, even when we can’t see it.

My favourite fog is the kind that hovers close to the ground, where I can look both above and below it. In those moments, I’m reminded—whether I see it or not—the sun is still there. Nature proves it. It makes sense.

What doesn’t always make sense is when we’re caught in another kind of fog: mental, emotional, or spiritual. When we can’t see beyond our circumstances. Where does hope come from then?

Often our first instinct is to escape or deny—binge-watching shows, scrolling endlessly, distracting ourselves. Sometimes that numbing works… until it doesn’t. Eventually the problem returns, often heavier than before, and we feel unprepared, too weak to handle it. Why? Because we didn’t stock our toolbox when times were lighter, leaving us to struggle more than we needed.

Have you been there? Stuck in the fog, wondering if hope is even real?

Sometimes the spark comes from outside—a song, a video, words from a friend who knows just what to say and when to say it. But the question is: are we willing to hear it?

Programs like AA, NA, Freedom Sessions, and others have helped thousands face truth with courage and honesty. Stepping into that kind of work takes bravery, but it’s life-giving. And I hope by now we know that speaking with a professional isn’t weakness—it’s strength. Vulnerability is one of the biggest steps toward healing.

Still, even with all the tools available, believing in yourself can feel like the hardest part. Change doesn’t look the same for everyone. We may share similar stories, but we each interpret them differently—shaped by our personalities, perspectives, even family dynamics. That’s why learning who you are is so important. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and how you process wins and losses can shift everything. There are lots of great personality tests, so I won’t recommend any specific one but I would encourage you to find one that fits you.

I’ve tried different personality assessments over the years, and each one has taught me something new. Each step helped me accept and even love myself more fully. And maybe that’s the key: when I learn to love myself, I’m able to love others more genuinely. Imagine if everyone carried that tool in their toolbox—how much kinder and more hopeful the world could feel.

As a spiritual person, I hold on to something deeper: even when I forget what’s in my toolbox—even when I struggle to like myself—there is Someone who loves me even more. And when the storm of emotions finally settles, I remember the Truth. That’s when I feel the light again. That’s when I know the sun is still shining above the fog.

What tools do you carry in your toolbox—and do you reach for them when life gets heavy?