When you’re experiencing a difficult situation, it’s normal to feel lost or hopeless, like nothing will ever go right ever again.
Maybe a major relationship ended, you suffered a loss, or you feel lonely.
It can be tough to find the light when everything seems wrong, but nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass.
Look for a light at the end of the tunnel no matter what kind of situation you’re in.
Anticipate a positive future.
This man I once met was going through stage 4 cancer.
Doctors couldn’t believe he was living a life they didn’t have hope for.
I asked him his secret, he simply replied “staying positive in the midst of fear and pain.”
Stay connected
Surround yourself with people whom you admire and enjoy being near.
Be with happy people that naturally maintain a positive attitude.
Especially if you are struggling yourself, make an effort to stay away from people who tend to be pessimistic or critical.
Instead, be with people who laugh easily, smile frequently, and make you feel good.
- Spend quality time with people in ways that allow for real relationship building. Instead of TV nights, make a game night, or instead of going to the mall maybe choose to watch a movie with girlfriends or your family. Choose activities that allow you to make great memories together and enjoy each other’s company.
- Stay in touch with those you care about using social media, or video calls.
Ask yourself this: do you want to make plans for the life you want to have?
Find the light at the end of the tunnel by creating it. Imagine yourself several years from now, when your current situation is a distant memory.
What does your typical Tuesday look like?
How will you give yourself credit and grace if you achieve a goal that you have given yourself in the past?
Be optimistic
Positive thinking helps you to live a happy, more stress-free life.
This means looking for the good behind the bad and being grateful for the things that are going right in your life.
You may be very critical about restaurants, manners, or movies, but don’t allow yourself to bring this attitude to all aspects of your life.
- Don’t allow yourself to polarize your thinking when you see elements of your life as “all good” or “all bad. Remember that almost every situation has shades of gray and very few things exist in black and white. If you find yourself blaming yourself for losing your job or being in a difficult financial situation, remember that lots of factors influence an outcome. And no, you are never a total failure.
- If you catch yourself having bleak or critical thoughts, stop yourself and decide whether you want to create a new one or replace it with another one. You can replace your moaning about the terrible weather by a reflection about the necessity of water for the plants and the soothing thought that it doesn’t rain every day.”
This post was written by Lauren K., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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How to find the light at the end of the tunnel/ resource: Wiki How to do anything “Never give up hope. All things are working for your good.”
