“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
Consider the above quote. Isn’t it true? But we will not have the patience to analyze this quote when we are going through a really hard time. It’s quite natural because we are humans. We all face sadness, anger, restlessness, anxiety, and grief in our lives.
All of us have problems. All of us face hard times at some point in our lives. But we have been created to experience both joy and sorrow. Happiness and sadness are part and parcel of everyone’s life. In other words, when there is a rise, there will be a fall, and vice versa. Similarly, when darkness engulfs us, we are bound to see light later, if not immediately. This holds true for the hard times we face. Many would say that it is “karma” or “destiny” that decides the course of our lives. Others beg to differ. They say that everything happens because of our own decisions and fate has nothing to do with them.
In this blog, let’s discuss the ways in which we can embrace positivity during hard times.
Our Attitude Matters (A Lot)
It is not the problem by itself that changes your life for the better or the worse. It is your “attitude” towards the problem that directs the course of your life. Simply put, you may say that a glass is half-full. The person next to you may say that it’s half-empty.
Going through Hard Times Now?
Are you facing really hard times right now? It may be a breakup, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, an illness, or an accident. And, the question, “How can I look at this situation with a positive approach when I cannot bear it?” might be the first one that pops into your head. We totally understand. Grief and pain can be unbearable. But keep one thing in mind – “This too shall pass.”
Nothing in this world is permanent, including our lives and the hard times we face. So, whatever happens, life goes on. When you understand this, the difficulty you are currently facing will seem less daunting. Try talking to a close friend or family member about the situation you are facing. If you are a believer, pray whenever you can. These steps will help lessen the burden on your shoulders.
Try Thinking Positively
Developing a positive mindset during difficult times is never easy. But it comes with practice. When you have lots of negative thoughts, stop for a minute and think. For each negative thought that pops up in your mind, replace it with a positive thought. By doing so, you will understand the power of positive thinking during adversity.
How to Cultivate Gratitude and Optimism in the Face of Challenges?
The first thing you should be grateful for is waking up alive each morning. There are lots of people who pass away while sleeping. But if you are reading this, it means you are alive and kicking!
Take a minute and count your blessings. Yes, it will be definitely hard. But you must try. Think of everything you have right now in life. As humans, we tend to compare ourselves with others who have better lives. However, compare yourself to where you were years back. Recollect the tough times you’ve handled in the past. Tell yourself that you can handle the current situation also so that you can have a better future. Venting out to somebody, or even alone in your room helps. In fact, at times, crying can make you feel better!
Building a Support System to Help Maintain a Positive Outlook
Some of us can handle our hard times alone. And, some of us cannot. It doesn’t depend on whether you are mentally strong or not. It’s about how you have lived your life and the difficulty or severity of the situation/problem you are experiencing now. However, there are some coping strategies for maintaining positivity during hard times.
So, take help from your family or friends, or others who know you. If you need professional help, don’t rule it out. It can help clear your mind and develop a healthier attitude.
Maintaining a positive outlook might be extremely difficult during hard times, but it is not impossible. If you succeed in doing it, you will know the power of positive thinking during adversity!
Last but not least, think of your dreams and goals and how much you have struggled to make them true. And, think of your loved ones. Years later, you will definitely be proud of yourself when you think of the hard times now and how you moved on. Remember! There are good times ahead. The future might seem bleak, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
