keep your head up

Brief: This post discusses what to avoid and what to focus on when your life gets hard. Hopefully this will help you through your tough times and help you get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Sometimes life gets tough. The world feels like it’s crashing down on you and nothing is going your way. I know how it feels and I know from experience the wrong way to handle emotions like that. Lucky you, my mistakes become your lessons! So, if you’re reading this and you’re searching for some kind of relief or motivation to get out of your funk, I think I can help. Let’s begin with all of the terrible things that you will instinctively want to do when you’re miserable and then we can talk about all the things you should do.

What To Avoid
Don’t feel sorry for yourself! This is a horribly negative emotion and not everything is about you. You might be going through a hard time but If you’re alive with a breath in your body, most likely, things could be worse. These emotions of self pity weaken your self esteem, personal drive and pretty much shut the door on any positivity entering your brain whatsoever. Don’t shut yourself off from the world. Getting stuck in your own head with those negative thoughts is a horrible place to be. Don’t hold it in and claim to be fine. You’re allowed to be upset, holding it in isn’t helping anyone. Your support system will think you’re fine and you will then lose your outlet to unload. There are countless ways to change your mood and they are all super simple. Here’s a few that I wish I did instead of sitting in my room alone watching netflix.

Get Outside!
Just feeling the fresh air on your face and being around other people or nature helps remind you that it’s a big world out there. Also going for a walk or exercising is proven to lower stress levels so give it a shot.

Create Positivity!
If you have a favourite book, read it. Favourite movie, watch it! Favourite meal, cook it up! Take impeccable care of yourself because you deserve it, now more than ever. Anything that you know makes you happy I would recommend doing it. If you have always wanted to take a trip or do something big, now is the time, treat yourself!

Try or Learn Something New!
Immersing yourself fully into something new is not only a great way to take your mind off of your struggles but it’s also just a good thing in general. Keeping your mind sharp and learning a new skill is never a bad thing. Dive in head 1st and who knows, maybe you’ll discover your new passion! Can’t hurt right?

These are just a few things that I wish I had done during my tough times. Nobody enjoys hardships but locking yourself in a room and pouting isn’t good for anyone. Netflix is endless but trust me, it isn’t going anywhere. Get out there, fill your life with the people and things you love most and tackle life head on. Don’t let the dark cloud dominate you, you’re stronger than that. I know it can be hard but the most important part is looking after yourself. If you need advice or someone to talk to, there is no harm in reaching out to friends, family or a professional. The people that love you the most are going to be there for you through thick and thin. You’re not in this alone!

I’m not a professional but I have been through tough times before and I allowed them to get the best of me. When I eventually made my way out of the dark cloud I looked back at how I handled myself and it didn’t take long to conclude that I could have done better. I owed it to myself to figure out how to improve. The next time I encountered adversity these tips helped me stay positive and make my through the negativity. I hope they help you as well! As always, I would love to hear your feedback and keep chasing your cloud!