Knowing that you’ll be going through a foreclosure can bring on a lot of stress before you even start the process. Once it gets underway, that stress only increases. This is a complex legal process, it has a drastic impact on your life and it all stems from financial trouble that was stressful enough to start with.

How do you deal with this? Here are a few tips that can help you handle it successfully as you plan for the future:

1. Remember that you are not at fault. Maybe you lost your job when the company downsized, or maybe you have medical debt from an accident. You can’t control everything in life. Do not blame yourself if it is not your fault.

2. Consider the big picture and your long-term future. Yes, going through a foreclosure isn’t what you hoped for, but nothing lasts forever. It may simply be time to look into all of your financial options to straighten out your debt and aim for success five or 10 years from now.

3. Do not keep it to yourself. Talk to people you love. If you’re married, talk to your spouse. A strong support system really helps. Sometimes just saying things out loud makes problems seem more manageable.

Of course, it is also important to look into all of your legal options and to understand the steps you need to take. Some of your stress just comes from feeling overwhelmed, like you are not in control. By learning where you stand and how everything works, you take control back and reduce your stress.