Sometimes life gets heavy and weighs you down — that’s just part of being human.
However, just because you’re feeling like absolute rubbish doesn’t mean you have to get it get the better of you. When you feel like getting up in the morning is a chore, and you’re fed up with everything and everyone, here are a few things to remind yourself of. They just might make you feel a bit better.
“This feeling will pass.”
Everything in life has a natural ebb and flow, including our toughest emotions. When we’re in the middle of feeling down, it can seem endless, but reminding ourselves of the temporary nature of feelings helps us maintain perspective. This simple truth has helped countless people move through their darkest moments, knowing that change is inevitable. Just as the weather shifts and seasons change, our emotional state naturally moves through different phases, even when it feels stuck.
“I’ve got through hard times before.”
Your track record for surviving difficult days is actually perfect so far. Each past challenge has built up your resilience, even if you didn’t realise it at the time. That little reminder helps tap into your proven strength and experience, even when you’re not feeling particularly strong in the moment. Looking back at previous obstacles you’ve overcome provides concrete evidence of your ability to handle tough situations. Every challenge you’ve faced has added tools to your emotional toolkit.
“One small step is enough right now.”
During overwhelming times, even tiny actions create forward momentum. Getting out of bed, taking a shower, or making a simple meal all count as progress. Acknowledging that small steps are valuable helps break the paralysis that often comes with feeling down. Progress doesn’t always need to be dramatic or visible to other people — sometimes the smallest actions take the most courage. Each tiny step forward builds confidence for the next one.
“My thoughts aren’t always accurate.”
When we’re feeling low, our minds tend to paint everything in darker colours than reality. This helps us step back and question whether our current thoughts reflect the whole truth. Often, they’re just temporary interpretations coloured by our current mood. Taking a moment to recognise that our thoughts are influenced by how we’re feeling helps create valuable perspective. Just because our mind suggests something doesn’t mean we have to accept it as fact.
“It’s okay to need rest.”
Taking time to recharge isn’t lazy or weak — it’s essential for mental health. Just like our bodies need sleep to function, our minds need downtime to process and recover. This gives us permission to take the breaks we need without guilt. Rest is a crucial part of maintaining our emotional and mental strength, not a sign of giving up. Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is allow ourselves time to recharge.
“I’m not alone in this.”
Difficult feelings can be isolating, but they’re a universal human experience. Millions of people have felt similar emotions and made it through to better days. This helps us feel connected rather than isolated in our struggles. Understanding that challenging emotions are part of the human experience can help reduce the loneliness that often accompanies tough times. We’re all part of a larger community of people who understand these feelings.
“I can start fresh tomorrow.”
Every new day brings a chance to reset and try again. If today feels impossible, we can put it to rest and know that tomorrow offers a fresh perspective. This isn’t about giving up; it’s about giving ourselves another chance. Sleep often helps reset our emotional state, making challenges seem more manageable in the morning. Sometimes the best thing we can do is acknowledge that today isn’t our day and trust in tomorrow’s fresh start.
“I don’t have to have it all figured out.”
Life doesn’t come with a manual, and we’re all learning as we go. Not having all the answers right now doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re human. This takes the pressure off needing to solve everything immediately. Sometimes the wisest approach is acknowledging our uncertainty and staying open to learning as we go. Being comfortable with not knowing everything is actually a sign of maturity.
“I’m doing the best I can.”
Sometimes our best doesn’t look like someone else’s best, and that’s okay. During tough times, simply making it through the day is an achievement. This helps us be gentler with ourselves when we’re struggling. Our best efforts might look different from day to day, depending on what we’re dealing with. Accepting that our capacity varies with circumstances helps us maintain self-compassion.
“This is just a chapter, not the whole story.”
When we’re in the middle of a difficult time, it can feel like our whole life is defined by it. But every life has many chapters, and this current one won’t last forever. Better chapters are still ahead. Just like any good book has its darker moments before resolution, our lives contain various chapters that contribute to our overall journey. This perspective helps us see beyond our current circumstances.
“My worth isn’t measured by my productivity.”
You have value as a person, regardless of how much you accomplish in a day. Your worth isn’t determined by your output, your achievements, or your to-do list. This helps counter the pressure to always be productive. Our society often confuses productivity with worth, but being human is about much more than what we produce. Your inherent value remains constant, regardless of how much you get done.
“It’s okay to ask for help.”
Needing support isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of wisdom. Even the strongest people need help sometimes. This encourages us to reach out instead of struggling alone. Asking for a bit of help and support shows self-awareness and courage rather than inadequacy. Building a support network is actually a sign of emotional intelligence and strength.
“I trust myself to handle this.”
Even when things feel overwhelming, you have inner resources and strength to draw upon. This helps build confidence in your ability to cope, even when the path forward isn’t clear. Every challenge you’ve faced has contributed to your inner wisdom and resilience. Trusting yourself doesn’t mean knowing exactly what to do — it means knowing you’ll find a way through.
“Right now is not forever.”
Whatever is happening right now is just one moment in time. Circumstances change, opportunities arise, and new possibilities emerge. This helps us avoid getting stuck in thinking that current difficulties are permanent. Life has a way of bringing unexpected changes and solutions, often when we least expect them. Keeping sight of the temporary nature of our current situation helps maintain hope and perspective.
