I think what you need to do is write yourself up a list of ways the bad things ended up helping you in the long run. Lessons that you learned because of those events, whether directly or indirectly. Then post that list near where you'll be writing. Use big, visible letters so it's easy to see from where you're sitting. Give yourself a clear-cut reminder, every moment you're working on it, that growth came from those unfortunate events.
Bad things happen. We can't change that. But what we
can do is take those experiences and learn from them. Whether it's how to avoid letting it happen again, how to cope with it more effectively when it does, or even how to make the best of it and build something better out of the debris. That's what you need to focus on - the ways those bad things make you stronger afterward. And if writing those memories down will cause you to falter regularly, then that's the place where you need to bolster your strength. Give yourself daily reminders of the positive lessons they taught you. It doesn't have to be a list necessarily, but a short, simple list is easy to work with so it's a good place to start.
For example:
1) Too many bills had piled up. My utilities were going to get turned off.
2) I couldn't put it off any longer. I was forced to deal with it, which turned out to be a good thing, because all I really needed was to sit down and actually look at the numbers.
3) I learned that by doing without a few luxuries and unnecessary things, I can live a lot more comfortably than I was before.
4) I realized that paying attention to the details lets me catch little problems before they become big problems.
5) It turns out that I have a knack for making lists and schedules. That'll come in handy in the future!
It might help you to say the list out loud too. Each time you're about to tackle writing about that issue, read its list out loud. If it gives you a problem while you're trying to write, read it again. Read it seven or eight times if you have to... repetition can help reinforce the positive outcome in your mind. After all, that's how negative things stick with us so strongly... we keep revisiting them over and over in our minds. Well that works with positive things too. Tell yourself the good parts over and over again, and one day you catch yourself not even remembering the bad parts. I know it works, I've done it.
I gotta say, the way you describe your story reminds me of that "One Red Paperclip" guy. I bought his book too; couldn't put it down. Some crazy things happened to that guy along the way. Your book sounds like it will be the same kind of wild ride. Good luck with it! I'd love to read it one day!
PS, 9 foot birds are nuts... that sounds like some Stephen King crap going on there. A flock of those things could carry away a VAN
