10 Ways To Keep Going During Tough Times

1. Focus on the good.

If you can’t find something good in your life to focus on, try to think of all the things you have that you take for granted. Things like food in your fridge and a roof over your head or even the fact that you can read this. Focus on what you have now and you will draw more good things to you.

2. Allow yourself to feel and let your emotions out.

Don’t hold it in because you want to appear strong. Vent, talk to your friends, cry, yell and scream if you must but don’t suppress the pain because it can grow and it can get worse. The sooner you let it all out, the better mindset you’ll have in dealing with your hardships.

3. Try to see the situation in a different light.

Even though it’s the hardest thing to do when you’re struggling but sometimes it’s exactly what you need and sometimes it’s the truth. Losing your job could lead to a better job, ending a relationship can lead to a better relationship, losing someone can pave the way for deep self-reflection and make you a better person. There is always a rainbow after the storm.

4. Don’t forget about yourself.

It’s normal when you’re panicking to ignore your health and well-being, but one of the best ways to keep going through tough times is to keep taking care of yourself. Don’t change your work-out routine, don’t drink excessively or do anything you normally wouldn’t do because it will only get in the way of helping yourself and helping others.

5. Digest the pain in pieces.

Don’t swallow it. If you think about how terrible the situation is or how serious it is, you’ll overwhelm yourself and feel paralyzed. Instead, take it one step at a time; think of where you can start, which direction you will go and what is it that you can actually control in this situation and what you can leave up to fate.

6. Remember that tough times build character.

The moments that change you and the times that make you stronger are usually not the happy or easy ones. It’s only during hard or hopeless times that you get to know yourself better and discover your own strength and resilience. It’s these times that truly shape your character and make you grow.

7. Avoid people who stress you out.

We all have people who calm us down and people who stress us out. Avoid people who add to your stress and spend time with those who make you feel at ease, those who can comfort you and those who can just sit with you in silence because they will make all the difference.

8. Find your art.

Everyone has something they can get lost in – in a good way. If writing helps you, write. If drawing helps you, draw, if singing helps, sing your lungs out. I believe that each one us has an artist inside of them; an artist that only comes to life during sadness and grief and that artist usually saves their lives.

9. Ask for space if you need it.

If you feel like you cope better when you’re alone, ask for space or even turn your phone off and deactivate your social media accounts. If you think these distraction will make you feel worse, then temporarily take a break from them. Sometimes solitude helps you accept certain situations and think of better ways you can move on.

10. Trust that tough times don’t last forever.

I know this is so cliché, but it’s true. You can feel stuck and wonder if you will ever get through this or even get past this, but eventually, you will. Maybe in two weeks, two months or two years, but you will and you will thrive because of it.