Remember These 9 Things When You’re Feeling Discouraged

“Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

There’s a multitude of reasons why you may be feeling discouraged.

Maybe you feel unaccomplished. Maybe a negative circumstance is bringing you down. Or maybe you don’t feel supported by others, which makes you feel isolated and alone.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many other people are feeling the same way. And there are ways to deal with these feelings and move on. Here are a few things to remember whenever you’re feeling stuck and unable to move forward:

1. Discouragement is usually temporary

A tough day at work, a fight with a friend, or getting passed over for a promotion can lead to feelings of discouragement. But it’s important to remember that these feelings are usually temporary. 

The sun will come up tomorrow, and the situation will likely look different.

This helps us keep things in perspective and keeps us moving forward.

2. Discouragement is just a feeling, and doesn’t always reflect reality

Discouragement is often born out of our perceptions. We can get trapped in our thoughts, and before we know it, we’ve convinced ourselves that things are bad and aren’t going to get better.

But remember that discouragement is just a feeling, and it doesn’t always reflect reality. In fact, when we’re discouraged, things may actually be going better than we think they are, but we’re not seeing it at the moment.

The truth is that you have the power to change your outlook and to choose hope instead of discouragement. You’ll be surprised at how much better things will start to look when you do.

3. Remember your accomplishments: Write them down and look at them often

It can be easy to forget our accomplishments, especially when we’re feeling down. One way to combat this is to write them down, big and small, and look at them often. 

This will help you remember your accomplishments and give you a sense of hope and optimism about the future. Not only that, but it can also be a reminder of how far you’ve come.

4. See setbacks as preparation for the next level of growth

When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to become discouraged and give up. But look at challenges and setbacks as an opportunity to train and prepare for what’s to come. 

Every experience, whether good or bad, teaches us something. So embrace the challenges and setbacks in your life because they teach you what you need to know to reach the next level of growth. 

5. Be kind to yourself: Don’t dwell on your mistakes, learn from them and move on.

Making mistakes is a natural part of life. We all make them, and we all learn from them. Dwelling on your mistakes, however, does not help you learn from them – it only makes you feel worse. 

Remember, you are not alone in your mistakes. You are not the only one who has ever made a mistake. The key is the learn the lessons from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them. And even if you do, still be kind to yourself. Sometimes we need to repeat the same mistakes before finally learning their lessons.

6. Take time for yourself: Relax, do things you enjoy and recharge your batteries

Self-care is important, but it’s often underestimated. We’re so busy taking care of others that we forget to care for ourselves. That’s why it’s essential to relax and do things you enjoy.

One way to relax is to take a hot bath with a few drops of lavender oil. Another way to relax is by reading a book or listening to music.

Doing things you enjoy is another way to recharge your batteries. Whether it’s spending time with friends and family, going for a walk in the park, or watching your favorite movie, make time for the things you love.

Finally, don’t forget to get enough sleep, between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night.

7. Seek support: Talk to others who will understand and offer encouragement

When you’re feeling down, it can be incredibly isolating. It seems like no one understands what you’re going through and like you’re the only one who feels the way you do. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Chances are good that there are others out there who will understand what you’re going through and be able to offer encouragement.

Reaching out allows us to benefit from the support of others. Talking about your struggles can help you process them and start to heal. It can also help you develop a support system of people who can offer practical and emotional support when things get tough.

8. Have a plan: Know what you need to do to reach your goals and work towards them

Many people avoid setting goals for fear of feeling discouraged if those goals are not achieved. But, unfortunately, not having clear goals and a clear sense of direction can be just as discouraging.

So if there are things you desire to achieve, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Whether your goal is to run a marathon or improve a relationship, there are specific steps you need to take to make it happen. Having a plan gives you direction and helps you stay focused on what’s important.

It’s also important to be flexible and willing to make changes. Of course, things don’t always go according to plan, and that’s okay. Adjusting your path along the way is part of the journey towards reaching your goals.

9. Stay positive: Look for the good in every situation, and don’t give up on yourself

There will be times in your life when you feel like everything is going wrong. You may feel like giving up, especially if the situation seems hopeless. However, it’s important to remember that things can always get better. You may not be able to control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it.

Whenever you’re feeling down, try to find the good in the situation. Even if things seem hopeless, there’s always something positive that you can focus on. For example, maybe you made it through a tough day at work, or you were able to help someone in need. Focus on the good no matter how small.

Keep the faith

By following some or all of the steps listed above, you can start to feel more encouraged in your everyday life. Remember to take things one step at a time, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Just do your best, keep the faith, and you’ll begin to feel more encouraged with each passing day.