How To Be Optimistic Through Challenges

Being optimistic isn’t about ignoring the challenges in life.  It’s believing you have the ability to take on those challenges head first and come out a better person because of them.

Often when you struggle with a challenge it can be hard to keep going.  You feel like giving up.  It’s almost as if the world is against you.  But, it is said that life is happening for you, not to you.  There are lessons you need to learn in life and that’s why you are faced with challenges.  It’s all in how you respond to a challenge.  You can either negatively muddle your way through a challenge or put on your rose colored glasses and be optimistic.  Believe that there is no other option but to conquer this challenge, learn the lesson, and come out on top.

Here are five ways to be optimistic through challenges.

1. Temporary

Acknowledge that these challenges are only temporary.  In the moment, a challenge may feel very overwhelming and impossible to overcome.  Especially major challenges like losing your job.  However, these challenges are just small bumps in the overall span of your lifetime.  In five years from now you’ll be able to look back on these times and they will be all but a distant memory.  When you realize these hurtles are temporary, they will begin to feel more manageable.  Optimism though challenges allows you to see that there are better times to come in the near future.

2. Gratitude

Even in difficult times there can be a silver lining.  Look for things to be grateful for.  One could be the kindness you see in people for helping others in need.  Celebrate the goodness.  Perhaps you’re out for a walk and look at the world through the eyes of a child, giggling in wonder.  Even the littlest of things can put you in a state of awe.  Be grateful for those small things like the color of the water or the warm sunshine on your skin.  In order to be optimistic through challenges you have to see things you can be grateful for.  No matter how tiny they may seem.

3. Inspiration

Optimism doesn’t just happen.  It’s something you have to work on every day.  The easiest way to bring more optimism into your life is to focus on your mindset.  You need to be feeding your mind with positive inspiration.  This could be watching inspirational you tube videos, listening to motivational podcasts, hearing empowering speakers, or reading personal development books.  Commit to spending at least half an hour a day getting your mind in the right headspace.  You’ll be more likely have an optimistic view because of it.

4. Journal

A challenging time can be hard for your mind to process.  Make it easier on your mind and write about your thoughts in a journal.  Get all of your thoughts out of your head and down on paper.  Use an online journal, a document on your computer, or good old fashioned pen and paper to talk through what’s going on in your life.  Gain clarity on the things you’re struggling with by writing about them.  Make your writing conversational as if you’re talking to a friend.  You’ll feel so much better once you’ve talked yourself through a challenge.  Journaling about your challenge will give you a better idea of what you need to do in order to overcome it.  That in turn gives you optimism that you’ll make it through.

5. People

Limit your time with the pessimistic Debbie Downers in life.  Instead, surround yourself with people who are optimistic.  Follow people who give you inspiration and hope.  Spend time with family and friends who believe in you and are your cheerleaders though challenges.  Unfollow people on social media who are causing you anxiety.  You may find that you compare yourself to them and their life.  Stop.  Look for positive people who lift you up.  Do not let other people who see the world through a negative lens take away your optimism.

Be optimistic through challenges.  Realize that challenges are only temporary.  You will come out the other side a better person because of what you’ve learned.  In order to stay optimistic, look for things to be grateful for and enrich your mind with positive inspiration.  Allow your brain to process a challenge by journaling about it.  This will help you gain clarity on what you need to do and give you optimism that you’ll make it through.  Lastly, reduce your time with pessimistic people that bring you down.  Being optimistic through challenges is the only way you’re going to feel good while working your way through a challenging time.