When things fall apart, find ways to fight for what matters. As suggested in, proactive activism or working toward a better future can be a powerful antidote to despair.

Often, this includes health scares, job losses, or the end of significant relationships.

To truly understand the term, we must look at 1992, the year Queen Elizabeth II used it to describe her life. It was a year that saw:

Here is a look back at the Anatomy of an Annus Horribilis and how to survive it. 1. The Anatomy of a "Horrible Year"

A horrible year is rarely a total loss. As noted by, adversity teaches lessons, and out of the ashes of a "dung heap of crapola," there can be an opportunity for a "new year [that] brings with it many promises and opportunities".

The feeling of a "horrible year" is not confined to the past. Many have pointed to:

A great friendship group, or even online communities, can provide the support needed to endure.

Three of her children—Anne, Charles, and Andrew—saw their marriages fall apart.