Life is not always pretty, easy or fair. Sometimes you encounter circumstances beyond your control, or you just get days where you feel like everything is upside down and inside out.
On such days it is much easier to complain and think negatively than it is to seek the proverbial silver lining or think positively. To turn your thoughts and your perspective away from negativity might not be easy but it is always possible.
Remember the following seven affirmations on struggle days.
1. You are stronger than you think.
You have overcome challenges before. Think back on what you have achieved before and how you have overcome the obstacles and challenges. What have you learned from these situations that you can apply to your current challenge?
2. Choose to learn from this
See the current challenges as a learning curve. Keep a thought journal and write down what you feel, what lessons you are learning and how you can deal with the same situation differently in the future.
3. It’s not always a bad thing to not get what you want
This is a hard one. We don’t like to hear that obstacles, problems, and challenges are good for us. We live in a society where everything happens at a fast-paced and where there are quick fixes for almost everything. That is except for real living, spiritual growth, and maturity. To grow, we must change, to change we have to accept and wait. Remember patience is a virtue that we most of the time only learn when things are not going to our plans.
4. Change the way you look at things
Sometimes everything feels wrong or challenging to us because we rely on memories and our own way of thinking to see the world. We forget that our way is not necessarily the only way. Sometimes we must change our attitude and get a new perspective on life to experience life more positively.
5. Other people’s opinions cannot determine who you are
The only one who can define you, are you. It’s your choice if you accept other people’s labels of you. Always remember: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
6. Find things to be thankful for
Nothing changes your attitude or your feelings faster than to list all the things you are thankful for. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.” – Melody Beattie
7. Make time for having fun
Cheer yourself up by doing more things that make you happy. Life is very short and it’s no use to take it, or yourself, too seriously. Smile more. Laugh more. Make time to have fun with loved ones and friends. Relax more and stress less.
