7 Mantra’s to cling to when you’ve lost hope

There have been countless nights when I been crying hysterically, lying on one floor or another. There have been far more times than I could count when I have been totally lost and without hope, when I haven’t been able to bear the thought of one more minute, let alone one more day. Whether I’ve been depressed or overcoming addictions, trying to fight an eating disorder…. having someone tell me to think positively or focus on the good things made me want to scream.

I know how it feels to be in that dark place, to have lost all hope, to not see the point of hanging on for one more day. When you can see no way to move out of the darkness, to reach out or ask for help. I’ve been there so many times, I know that the worst does pass, that the only way to fight it is to hang on, to fight back with connection and love.

At those darkest times, sometimes I found that having some words to focus on could give me just enough reason to hang on for a few more hours. These are some of my favourites, the ones that got me through long, dark nights, that kept me going when I was lost and hopeless.

“Hope Is The Only Thing Stronger Than Fear”

It’s human nature to keep hope alive – it’s built deep within us, believing that hope will get you where you need to be, rather than dwelling on fear that things will stay the same was key for me in not giving up.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

When you’re at rock bottom, trying to overcome whatever it is that has left you broken and hopeless, it can seem one hell of a long way to climb back up. baby steps – one step at a time, take it day by day, or hour by hour, or even minute by minute. One step at a time – and you’ll slowly begin that climb.

“Storms Makes Tress Take Deeper Roots” ~ Dolly Parton

Having walked through storms so many times, I know that I am stronger for what I’ve fought. Coming out the otherside makes you a warrior – these dark days will pass, and you’ll be so much stronger for fighting back.

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become”

It’s easy to define ourselves by the events that have happened to us. To see ourselves as a victim, to identify all that we are to what someone did to us. Ultimately, we have the choice to be a victim or to fight back and become a survivor, a warrior, the person we want to be.

“Allow yourself to be where you are”

When I’m in those dark times, I panic, I resist, I want to get out RIGHT NOW. We’re told we should be happy and to be sad isn’t good. But sometimes, we need to sit with our grief and our hurt, to let ourselves feel all the feelings. For in our brokenness, that is when we can grow. Don’t fight, or try to hurry the journey. Be where you are right now.

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, Focus on what could go right”

When I’m depressed, I have a tendency to focus on what could go wrong, I’ll see all the reasons why I can’t beat this, why things won’t be ok. Look at all of my failures and mistakes. Our thoughts are so powerful, that focusing on where you want to be, on the result that you want, will help you feel more positive and take those baby steps.

“Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise” ~ Victor Hugo

Dark times feel like they will last forever and ever, and a light at the end of the tunnel seems a million miles away. Having been here so many times, I know that eventually, this too shall pass, and remembering that the sun always rises again is a good reminder to cling to.

Remember, you never truly alone. If you feel hopeless, or lost in your own life reach out, you are loved, and needed and enough. Don’t give up hope ♥

save for later…….