We all get a little frustrated or discouraged sometimes, and it’s easy to let ourselves wallow in our own dejection. But when those inner demons start to creep in, we have to remind ourselves that being mired in our own despondency will never do us any good. Instead, to lift ourselves out of that funk, we can do a few little things to keep ourselves inspired and our hopes high.
I attempt to do at least one thing everyday to keep myself going. One of my favorites is to write down something good that happens to me each day. I grab a Post-It note or a slip of paper and jot down the date and my one good thing, whether it be something that made me happy, something that I’m particularly grateful for that day, or anything in between that gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. I keep each one of these snippets of good things in a Ziploc bag in my desk drawer, so I can pull them out whenever I’m having a bad day and remember there are so many wonderful things in my life to be grateful for.
I also love to surround myself with inspiration and positivity. Sitting down to do work or to study can be a drag, but it doesn’t always have to be. Whenever I’m working at my desk in my dorm room and get mentally drained or stuck, I look to the multitude of inspirational quotes and Bible verses tacked to my wall to spark some motivation. One of my favorites is a verse from John 16:32-33: “But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. […] In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” This assures me I am never alone and I will always have God as my source of guidance, even when I experience a lot of trouble. Photos of friends and family surrounding my desk also remind me that, even when I feel as if I’m struggling with the stresses of school or my own raging emotions, my loved ones are always supportive of me and would do anything to help cheer me up. I also have a small pink dish bearing the message, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” by Audrey Hepburn. Although it may be a little cliche, this quote is so important in reminding me every time I look at it that nothing is really out of my grasp and that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.
So whenever you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps or need some inspiration, try writing down something good that happened to you that day or decorate your desk with some of your favorite motivational quotes. Remembering some of the wonderful things you are grateful for- whether it’s appreciation for your friend for bringing you medicine when you’re sick or the delicious burrito you ate the other day- is bound to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart, at least for a little while.