Everyone goes through times in their lives when things seem hopeless. Tough times can range from losing your job, being injured, or losing a loved one. Or you can get caught up in circumstances totally out of your control. Studies have shown that in times of extreme stress, humans, like other animals, can freeze. If things feel out of control, you can easily fall into a passive, hopeless state. You might even blame yourself or your situation. And there doesn’t seem to any prospect of things getting better.
But there are things you can do right now to boost hopefulness and get through to better times.
- Make A Plan.
Even in the worst of times, you can take back some control and find a path through the crisis. Even the act of deciding to make a plan can boost your energy and your hopefulness.
The way ahead may not be easy, but you can work out where you want to be and the first steps to getting there. And that will feel a whole lot better.
- Focus on What You Can Do
You might be feeling hopeless, but there is always something positive you can achieve, no matter how small. Make a list right now of all the things you have done today. Start with making it out of bed and work from there. Every action is a positive step, whether it’s making dinner or getting to the grocery store.
Before you go to sleep, count off all the positive things you achieved that day. And before you get up in the morning, resolve to focus on what you can do to make it a good day. Each baby step of achievement will build a pathway back to confines.
- Look Outside Your Self
When you’re feeling low, you naturally turn inwards. Your focus is on how bad you feel. Try turning that perspective around. Look for role models, people who have got through adversity and triumphed. Plenty of successful people experienced setbacks, even disasters. Read their stories and be inspired.
Practicing acts of kindness is another way you can shift your focus away from yourself and your circumstances. Reject self-pity and instead feel gratitude for the good things you have in your life, and resolve to share your good fortune.
Being kind to others boosts your mood and your self-esteem. And you can choose to start a virtuous circle of paying it forward. You will have made a very positive contribution to the world!
Cheers to your Purpose <3
