Happiness is never a constant state, and as such, efforts ‘find happiness’ always result in disappointment. Instead, it’s best to look at life as something that ebbs and flows, and accept that sometimes you’ll be happy and sometimes you’ll be sad. That’s just part of your journey, and efforts to desperately feel great all the time usually lead to the opposite.
Of course, it can be difficult to have that mentality in the moments there’s a dark cloud hanging over you, and during those times, it’s important to have perspective.
There are many practices we can engage with to help frame our lives in a more balanced way, and today, we’re going to take a look at 10 of the most interesting ones.
- Use a Gratitude Journal
A really simple way to reframe your perspective in times of sadness is gratitude journaling.
The process involves getting a notepad or journal and each day, writing something you feel grateful for in that moment. You don’t have to write a lot of words, and the particular thing can be big or small.
When you’re having a particularly bad day, you can write a new entry and look back at all the others you’ve written. Seeing everything you’re grateful for in black and white can do a lot to remind you of what you have.
- Get a Tarot Reading
Something many people feel they benefit from is tarot reading. If you’ve never had a reading before, the process can seem quite daunting, but it’s really pretty straightforward.
You can either buy your own cards or have your reading done by a psychic. You’ll draw a card as directed, and its image will hold a specific meaning for you to interpret, reminding you of your strength as an individual. You’d be surprised at what a difference a small thing like this can have on your perspective.
- Consider Setbacks as Lessons
Reframing setbacks as lessons is a powerful technique, so much so that it’s practiced as one of the primary methods of action with many talking therapies.
It’s all about recognising that your past actions and behaviours, as well as the things that have happened to you as a result, are all opportunities to reflect and grow. For example, the end of a relationship can feel like many years wasted, but you forget that those years can teach you a lot about what you don’t want and what you should look for in the future.
- Engage in Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is exactly what it says on the tin: a combination of both therapeutic techniques that promotes a sense of calm and tranquility.
It will help you stop mental spiraling by teaching you to appreciate the present moment. While it can be difficult to learn at first, there are many guided introductions on YouTube available that will give you a head start.
- Express Yourself Creatively
Everyone benefits from creative outlets, and in times of hardship, they can help you see the beauty in the world.
Whether it’s dancing, singing, painting, photography, playing a musical instrument, or something else, discover what makes you tick and go after it. These pursuits are a large part of what makes life worth living.
- Help Other People Where You Can
If you’re going through a period where it seems as though you don’t have value, connecting with other people who need your help has the power to turn those feelings around completely.
Seeing them flourish because of you can be a real eye-opener. It doesn’t have to be anything major, either, and the situation will likely present itself organically.
- Inspire Yourself Through the Stories of Others
Humans are an extremely varied species, and as you such, you can almost guarantee that someone else somewhere has gone through the exact same unpleasant experience you’re going through right now.
The internet has made it easy to seek out these stories, and reading through what someone else has been through and how they overcame it can inspire you to do the same. You can even consider posting about your own situation on a forum or Reddit if you’re comfortable.
- Limit Your Social Media Consumption
Social media has a lot of benefits, but there’s absolutely no question that it simultaneously brings plenty of negatives to society.
It’s easy to get caught in the habit of doomscrolling, which involves viewing endless streams of negative news on your social media feeds. This has a major effect you your psyche, so it’s best to avoid social media as much as you can. If you have the option, consider only using it on your desktop computer or laptop so that it’s not as readily accessible.
- Participate in Regular Exercise
Exercise isn’t just good for us from a physiological perspective – it can also have a profound psychological effect.
You’ll likely have heard of the ‘runner’s high’, which refers to the fact that cardiovascular exercise floods your system with endorphins that make you feel good. If performed in the morning, this can have a significant impact on how you view the rest of your day, all while promoting good health in general.
- Talk to a Friend
And finally, there’s seeing friends. We’re social animals, after all, and there’s a lot of truth to the old saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.
The worst thing you can do is self-isolate when you’re feeling down, so take your friend up on that offer for a coffee, and have the initiative to arrange something yourself. Friends and family represent the beating heart of life, so don’t neglect to continue to build those important relationships.
Wrapping Up
Being down or depressed can make you feel like doing nothing and just wallowing in bed all day, but providing you take only a few little steps and start with just one small thing on the list above, you’ll get there. The hardest part is always the beginning. Good luck!
