This a more personal post than I usually write, but something was telling me to share. I find it’s generally best to listen to your gut in such situations, even if your brain hasn’t figured out why yet. Who knows, maybe the universe is telling me someone else might need to see this.

Like everyone else, sometimes I feel down. As I get older, I think I’m getting better at putting these low moments into a healthy perspective, but some times are more difficult than others. I recently decided to write in my journal about all the things that are helpful to me when I’m feeling down, so that I could later refer to it, and maybe it would help me snap out of future ruts. Below is this journal entry:

Remember to be tough. Stand up to life. You’re stronger than whatever is facing you. Remember the positives. Focus on your strengths, your blessings, your happy memories, and the things you have to look forward to. Remember to have a perspective of gratitude. Whenever you get upset about wanting more out of life, remember everything you already have to be thankful for. Focus on enjoying and appreciating what you do have, instead of focusing on how it could be better. Remember to meditate. Remember that only you can make yourself happy or sad/secure or insecure. Remember that when you are upset, it is only because you are choosing to focus and indulge in negative thoughts and get carried away by them. Remember to distract yourself until you are feeling more emotionally/mentally equipped. Remember that the people in your life can only be who they are. Don’t get caught up in wishing or hoping they would be someone or something other than who they are. They can only do the best with what they’ve got. Remember to exercise. Remember that most of the time you are pretty happy, but sometimes you’re just going to be sad – and that’s life. As humans, our moods will fluctuate regardless of our external circumstance. Remember that your mood has always fluctuated throughout various circumstances in life, and it will continue to do so no matter how your circumstance change. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Remember that allowing yourself to believe external factors are responsible for your mood/happiness only jeopardizes your external situation i.e. corrupting a relationship because you keep blaming the other person for how you feel or asking for more from the other person so you feel more secure, or convincing yourself your job is awful and keeping you from feeling happy. Remember to journal. Remember to get outside. Get fresh air. Get sunshine. And if at all possible, jump in the ocean. Remember to make yourself laugh. Watch a funny movie, or listen to stand up comedy. Remember to call a friend. Feeling low can make you want to isolate yourself… fight this urge. Put yourself around others, even if it’s sitting and reading in a crowded Starbucks. Remember to constantly ask yourself if you’re looking for a sense of security from someone or something else, and avoid doing this at all costs. The only sustainable sense of security comes from within, and the more you allow yourself to depend on outside sources of security (validation from others, financial prosperity, etc.) the more insecure you will feel in the long run. Remember that you’re lucky to have some amazing people in your life, but you also do just fine on your own. Remember to listen to music. Especially the kind that makes you want to dance. Remember to try something new that will help you grow. Remember that there’s no way to know how the future will turn out, but chances are you’re going to be just fine. Remember to continually invest in yourself above and before anyone else. Remember how doing this tends to attract positive things, and that doing this is the only way that you can offer the best version of yourself to those you love. Remember all the happiness you’ve been able to experience despite hard times in the past. Remember that those who make it through the hardest circumstances are the ones who can assign an important meaning/purpose to their struggle. Remember to put on an outfit you love. Even if it sounds superficial, remember that when you look good, you feel good, and when you look like a slob, you tend to feel like a slob. Remember that if you’re a generally happy person, you’ll probably continue to be generally happy even if things don’t work out the way you hoped. Remember to pray. Remember there’s a lot of people who think you’re hot shit. Remember you are hot shit. Remember that every struggle = growth. Every struggle is shaping you into the person you’re meant to be, bringing you closer to reaching your fullest potential. Remember to find the lesson, and look for the growth within yourself. Remember some of the darkest parts can be what will make the tapestry most beautiful when it’s complete. Remember that this too shall pass.

What helps you through the tough times???