Feeling a little blue? We have the 7 things to tell yourself when you feel down so you can pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and move on!
Do you feel like the blues are kicking in a little harder than usual?
If “feeling down” is becoming a familiar place you’re often visiting, you’re not alone. The entire world is trying to make sense out of confusion, and it’s perfectly normal to feel out of sorts.
Just because you feel that way, though, doesn’t mean you should stay in that state of mind. It’s often hard to pull ourselves out of our sorrows, but you are the only one who can.
It’s possible to boost your mood easier when you have strategies to use. These seven reminders will help you get through the emotions the next time you’re feeling down.
Also Read: How A Spiritual Mentor Can Help With Depression and Anxiety
1. It’s All a Piece of the Bigger Picture
In the immediate moment, whatever is bothering you can seem like a big deal. It might drag you down to your deeper feelings, keeping you from moving forward.
But no matter what it is, it’s all part of the bigger picture. And if you choose to stay stuck in the problem or find a solution to it, the future is coming.
There’s a reason for the common saying, “The sun will rise again tomorrow.” Whether you can fix it or not, you still will get up the next day, and the time will pass. How much time are you willing to toss away on the problem at hand?
Ask yourself this: In the grand scheme of things, is what you’re worried about going to matter? Then, use the Five x Five Rule to dust yourself off. If it isn’t going to matter in five years, don’t let it take more than five minutes of your time being bothered by it.
Also Read: Top 5 Types of Herbal Teas to Help Improve Your Sleep Quality
2. Perfect Does Not Exist
Most of us can shake off someone else’s mistakes easier than our own. For some reason, it’s a human trait to give other people more grace than we give ourselves.
But there’s no such thing as perfect. If whatever is bothering you is hitting you hard because you messed up, you have to learn to let it go.
When you make a mistake, you’re usually your worst critic. Instead of beating yourself up, try to figure out how you can move forward and fix the problem.
Staying stuck in the fact that you messed up isn’t going to help. It’s going to compound the issues that are already there. You made the mess; it’s up to you to clean it up.
Keep in mind: It’s not a question of if you’ll mess up; it’s what you’ll do to fix the damages when you do that matters.
Also Read: 6 Easiest Ways to Improve Mental Health Conditions
3. Your Feelings Are Valid
Lots of motivational speakers think they’re helpful in telling you to think positively. Of course, the ultimate goal we should all have is a content, satisfied life. But that’s not feasible 24/7/365.
No matter how well you shelter yourself, you’re going to deal with ups and downs in life. If you take your low emotions and compound them by getting upset that you’re not “positive,” it makes it worse.
Being hard on yourself because you’re sad or moping won’t help you feel better. Remember that whatever is bothering you has a valid reason.
Sit in the quiet and process your emotions instead of ignoring them. Otherwise, whatever is wrong will continue to creep up on you.
We are taught to believe that we shouldn’t wallow in our own sadness, and instead, we should move on from the pain and trauma as fast as possible. But it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.
You feel intense emotions because you are alive and that in itself is a blessing that you shouldn’t take for granted. When you feel down, take a step back and reflect on all the things you are thankful for, through meditation or Bible study sessions with your support network. You will realize that you were just having a bad day, not a bad life.
4. You Are There For You
Humans are social creatures, and the more people in your life, the more love you give and get. But … sometimes it’s more drama and stress, too.
What bothers us often is we depended on other people, and they let us down.
The best way to keep your circle of friends and family all in each other’s good graces is to keep an equal balance. Don’t demand things from them that they can’t easily give, and don’t give them what you can’t offer at the time.
It might sound skeptical, but you really only need yourself. Relying on others to be your crutch is asking for trouble.
That doesn’t mean you can’t hope for better from them. Expecting it, on the other hand, is the fastest killer of relationships of all kinds.
5. You Are Not Your Problems
Your thoughts play out in your head like a movie reel. The story that you tell yourself projects outward into your life.
Because of this reality, the words you use to describe your life and your future are crucial. They have power.
You are not your problems. For instance, you are not depressed any more than you are a cold. You can have a cold, but you wouldn’t call yourself one.
Yes, you might feel sad, but you are not sadness. It doesn’t define you, and you should not give it that power.
The same idea applies to your other problems. You may have financial difficulties, but you are not broke.
Switching your words is sometimes all it takes to grab the power back from your moods.
6. Everything is Temporary
In the moment, your feelings might seem overwhelming. However, you know from your past that you’ve survived every hard thing you’ve ever gone through.
No matter what it is that is causing you to feel down, it’s temporary. The problem may be permanent, but the depths of your despair will eventually improve.
Find something to serve as a distraction from the intense emotions for a bit, and come back to them later. You’re not ignoring them. You’re just waiting until you can process them a little easier, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
This, too, shall pass, as they say. It may hurt as it does, but you have to get through to the other side.
7. It’s Okay to Turn to Others
We all want a shoulder to cry on at times. Even though it’s a universal need, most of us still feel like it makes us weak!
In truth, though, showing your vulnerability is hard. Letting others see that side of you is one of the most challenging things we ever do.
It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.
Do you judge your friends when they come to you for help? Probably not.
If you’re always there for them, they want to be there for you, too.
You may even feel like an annoyance to them. But unless you’re always negative and are your own largest problem, they’re probably happy to be there for you.
It’s okay to turn to others. And it might even strengthen your relationship.
Conclusion
Every step forward that you take helps you to grow stronger. Baby steps are just as reasonable as big strides, and if you can’t walk, crawl!
Do whatever you must to get through this temporary period where the blues are ruling. You can do it. Tell yourself these seven reminders, and you’ll be just fine!
Author bio:
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Arch Troy to help them with their online marketing.