“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
No matter who you are or what you do in life, hardships are inevitable. At some point, everyone faces difficulties and challenges that seem insurmountable. But even when it feels like nothing is going your way, there are things you can do to get through tough times. Here are eight strategies for staying positive and dealing with life’s challenges:
1. Talk to someone who understands
When you’re feeling low, it can be easy to withdraw from the world and try to deal with your problems on your own. But this isn’t always the best approach. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is talk to somebody who understands what you’re going through.
That’s why it’s essential to have friends and family members who you can rely on for support. These people can provide a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear when you need to vent. They can also offer helpful advice and perspective when you’re feeling lost.
If you don’t have anyone in your life who you feel comfortable talking to about your problems, there are many support groups for people dealing with various concerns. There are also hotlines where you can speak to somebody anonymously about whatever is on your mind.
No matter what’s going on in your life, remember that you don’t have to deal with it alone. There are people out there who care about you and want to help.
2. Write down your thoughts
Writing in a journal is a great way to allow yourself to vent built-up frustrations. It can also help you see your problems in a new light and work out potential solutions. You don’t have to worry about grammar or sentence structure, just write whatever comes to mind.
Another way to deal with negative thoughts and feelings is to reflect on what is going well in your life. Make a list of things you are grateful for, no matter how small. This will help shift your focus from the negative to the positive and remind you that there are still good things in your life.
3. Take time for yourself
Taking time out for yourself can be hard to do when you’re feeling bogged down by life, but it’s important to remember that your mental health comes first. If you need to, take a few days off from work or school, or even just a few hours to yourself.
Consider going on a long hike or a personal silent retreat.
Once you’ve taken some time to clear your head, you can start to approach the situation with a fresh perspective.
4. Look for the silver lining
It can be difficult to see the silver lining when you’re feeling low and like nothing is going your way. But, taking a moment to reflect on the good in your life can help shift your perspective and improve your mood.
One way to do this is by practicing gratitude. You can write down three things you’re grateful for each day or keep a gratitude journal. This can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and appreciate your blessings, even when things are tough.
In addition to gratitude, another way to seek out the silver lining is by trying to find the good in bad situations. For example, if you’re dealing with a difficult situation at work, try to focus on the skills you’re honing or the relationships you’re building. Or, if you’re going through a tough time in your personal life, look for opportunities to grow and learn from the experience.
It’s normal to go through periods where everything seems to be going wrong. But, by taking a step back and looking for the silver lining, you can help improve your outlook and make it through tough times more easily.
5. Keep things in perspective
Here are a few tips to help you keep things in perspective when nothing seems to be going your way.
First, focus on what you can control. There’s no use worrying about things that are out of your control. Instead, focus on what you can control and do your best to improve the situation.
Second, take a step back. When you’re in the middle of a challenging situation, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at the big picture. This will help you put things into perspective and may give you some clarity on how to proceed.
Third, talk to someone who has been through something similar. Talking to someone who has gone through a similar experience can be incredibly helpful. They can offer insight and advice that you may not have considered before.
And remember, this too shall pass. Nothing lasts forever, even the tough times. Keep this in mind and it will help you get through whatever situation you’re facing.
6. Make a plan
When you feel like nothing is going your way, it can be tough to motivate yourself to get out of bed in the morning, let alone tackle your to-do list. But rather than throwing in the towel, there are things you can do to turn things around.
Start by taking a step back and evaluating the situation. For example, is there something specific that’s stressing you out, or are you just feeling overwhelmed in general? Once you’ve identified the source of your negativity, it will be easier to come up with a plan to address it.
If your problem is work-related, try mapping out a game plan for tackling your most pressing tasks. Then, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
And if you’re struggling with personal issues, make a plan to reach out to trusted friends or family members for support. Talking about your problems can help put them into perspective and make them feel more manageable.
7. Take action
If you’re feeling stuck, it’s likely because you’re not taking action on your plans to achieve your goals. So make a plan and take small daily steps to move closer to where you want to be.
When it comes to taking action, it’s important to follow through. This means that once you’ve decided to take action on something, you need to see it through to the end. This can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that taking action is the only way to achieve your goals.
If you’re having trouble following through, try breaking down your goal into smaller steps. This will make it seem more achievable and will give you a sense of accomplishment as you check each step off your list. You can also try setting a deadline for yourself or finding someone who will hold you accountable.
Whatever method you choose, just remember that taking action is the best way to change your circumstances. So don’t give up and keep moving forward!
8. Care for your mind and body
It’s also important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally when you’re feeling down in the dumps. Make sure you eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Taking care of your body will help improve your mood and give you the energy you need to tackle whatever is stressing you out.
Last but not least, don’t forget to cut yourself some slack every once in awhile. It’s okay if things aren’t perfect all the time. Everyone has off days (or weeks) now and then. Just remember that things will eventually get better.
Life is a journey
There will be times when you feel like you’re on top of the world and nothing can bring you down. But there will also be times when it feels like everything is going wrong and you’re stuck in a never-ending rut.
It’s important to remember that life is a journey, and it will have its ups and downs. There will be good times and there will be bad times, but it’s important to enjoy the ride no matter what.
So next time you find yourself feeling down, take a deep breath and enjoy the journey, because it’s always worth it in the end.
Thanks so much for this
You’re most welcome 🙂
Good reminders for when life gets tough. Thanks for being here with your encouragements today!
Glad to do it, thanks for commenting!
Thanks, Cylon – invaluable advice.
What usually works for me is to focus on getting my negativity out of my head by either writing it all down in short and pithy notes or doing something energetic like walking or housework. And, once I exhaust myself physically, it’s easier to sleep – which is invariably healing.
Thanks for the additional tips.
Amen to that…so much can be made easier with sleep after a good physical workout 🙂
As usual, such simple yet profound advice which is the very best kind of advice. The making a plan suggestion is what I find most helpful. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed it’s because I’m looking at the big picture. But once I take a deep breath, remember my mantra (Phil 4:13), it dawns on me to just take one small step at a time.
How did you know what my favorite Bible passage was?! 🙂 Beautifully said…