Practical Wisdom from Doctor Merryman:

Life has this funny way of testing us—spilled coffee on a white shirt, Wi-Fi crashing right before an important Zoom call, or my personal favorite, finally getting comfy on the couch only to realize I left my drink in the kitchen. Some days, it feels like the universe is just messing with us.

But here’s what I’ve learned: challenges are inevitable, but how we handle them? That’s where the real power is.



Enter Doctor Merryman—wise, optimistic, and always ready with a good laugh. His (okay, my) best advice? Use humor and a fresh perspective to turn challenges into triumphs. Because let’s be real—life’s too short to be stressed over every little thing.

So, here’s Doctor Merryman’s 5-Step Plan to Turn Challenges into Triumphs—sprinkled with a few personal lessons I’ve picked up along the way.

Step 1: Laugh (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)

A couple of months ago, I was rushing out the door, juggling my bag, camera, and what I thought was a securely closed travel mug. Spoiler: it wasn’t. I ended up wearing my coffee. On a day when I really needed to look put-together.

Old me? Would’ve been flustered, maybe even let it ruin my mood. But instead, I stood there, looked at my reflection, and just started laughing. Because honestly—what else can you do?

Laughter is a reset button. Studies even back this up—it lowers stress hormones and boosts endorphins. So whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major mishap, finding humor in the chaos can instantly shift your mindset.

Lesson learned: Always double-check the coffee lid. Also, keep a spare shirt in the car.

Step 2: Reframe the Challenge

A problem is only as big as we make it. Ever notice how some people can go through the exact same struggle, but one spirals while the other shrugs and moves on? It all comes down to perspective.

A while back, I planned a golden-hour photoshoot that was supposed to be perfect. But instead of a dreamy sunset, the sky turned an angry shade of gray, and within minutes, it started pouring. At first, I was frustrated. Then, I thought—why not make it work? We embraced the rain, played with reflections in puddles, and ended up with some of my favorite shots ever.

Reframing isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about flipping the script. Instead of thinking, Why is this happening to me?, try asking, What can I do with this? or How can this make me stronger?

Step 3: Focus on What You Can Control

Some things are just out of our hands—delayed flights, unpredictable weather, the fact that grocery store lines always seem longest when you’re in a hurry. But instead of spiraling into frustration, shifting focus to what is within our control can be a game-changer.

Take the time I spent way too long setting up a client’s gallery on my website, only for a glitch to wipe out half my work. I had two choices:
A) Scream into the void.
B) Take a breath, remind myself that tech hiccups happen, and redo it with a better system in place.

I won’t lie—I almost chose A. But once I let go of what I couldn’t control (the glitch) and focused on what I could (fixing it smarter, not angrier), I wasted less energy on frustration and more on moving forward.

Key takeaway: Control what you can. Let go of what you can’t. And maybe, just maybe, back up your work more often.

Step 4: Surround Yourself with Optimism

Ever notice how being around someone who’s constantly negative can drain the life out of you? On the flip side, spending time with upbeat, easygoing people makes everything feel lighter.

For me, music is my instant optimism boost. If I’m having an off day, I throw on a good playlist, and suddenly, the world doesn’t seem so bad. I even have a go-to "bad mood emergency" song that never fails to lift my spirits. (Side note: If you don’t have one of these, highly recommend making a playlist.)

Surround yourself with things and people that bring good energy. A funny podcast. A group chat with friends who make you laugh. Even just a feel-good TV show at the end of a long day. Optimism is contagious—so make sure you’re catching it from the right sources.

Step 5: Keep Moving Forward (Even If It’s Just One Tiny Step)

You know those days where everything feels too much? When the to-do list is overwhelming, or you hit a roadblock that makes you want to quit? The best trick I’ve learned is this: just do one small thing.

A while back, I was in a creative rut, feeling totally stuck on a project. Instead of trying to force myself to "fix" everything at once, I did one simple thing—I took a walk. No pressure, no overthinking. Just fresh air and movement. And guess what? It helped. That one tiny step made it easier to take the next one, and the next, until suddenly, I was back in motion.

Momentum is powerful. Even the smallest step forward is still forward.

Final Thoughts: Triumph Starts with Mindset

Doctor Merryman’s ultimate wisdom? Challenges are just plot twists in your story. With a little humor, perspective, and the right mindset, you can turn even the most frustrating moments into opportunities.

So the next time life throws you a curveball, remember this: laugh, reframe, focus on what you can control, lean into optimism, and take it one step at a time.

Because every challenge you’ve faced? You’ve made it through. And you’ll make it through the next one, too.