Staying Hopeful During Uncertain Times

Be in the now

By focusing on the present, you will find it easier to take a step back and act as an observer. By practicing mindfulness, you’ll see you can enjoy the simple things in life, no matter how bad things may seem. All worries and fears of the unknown can melt away if you focus on the now. Look for things in your life for which you’re grateful.

Kindness

Spreading hope needs to start somewhere. By looking for opportunities to pay it forward through random acts of kindness, you then become the impetus for others to do the same. Your compassionate heart and ability to walk in another person’s shoes will be the guide to those around you. And even if it’s not? You’ll have at least changed one heart – your own.

Take action

A person without hope becomes stagnant, preferring to hide from the world. If you find that’s the case with yourself, then it’s time to force yourself into action, even if you don’t feel like it. Get out of the house. Call a friend and suggest an outing or go by yourself. Find a green space somewhere because these places have been found to create calm and contentment in those who spend even a few minutes there. The goal is to find a positive action and embrace it, whatever that might be. Pick up litter, hug a child, do something that makes you feel good inside, and there you will find hope blossoming.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the negativity of the world around you. Only by actively seeking hope will you find it. By practicing these steps regularly, you’ll find yourself able to look forward to each day, no matter what’s going on.

At the Arise Society, we help young adults that are struggling with anxiety, depression, gaming and other motivation issues. We provide personalized academic, therapeutic, and social support in a real-world setting, which gives our students the skills to reach their fullest potential.