After a rough patch, it can be extremely difficult to shake off the past and move forward again. Still, while it’s tough, shifting our negative perceptions is essential to our mental health and inner peace.
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That’s why happiness expert Michelle Wax shared her tips for moving forward after a hard season. She hopes we can all accept the past for what it is and then move on to something better! Here’s her advice!
1. Practice gratitude.
You’ve probably heard this a hundred times, but practicing gratitude every day can truly change your outlook. Michelle suggests also showing appreciation to someone you love every day. After all, “You have the power to make someone’s day today.”
2. Manage your expectations.
The surest way to feel disappointed or let down is to set expectations that are either too high or too unrealistic. Instead of trying to predict an uncertain outcome, Michelle advises us to concentrate on what we have in front of us so we can appreciate the present moment.
3. Embrace the unknown.
Life is always moving and evolving, and the only thing we can be sure of is change. Most of us resist this change, but Michelle is encouraging us to practice mindfulness and live in the present rather than worry about what’s to come.
4. Start your day with intention.
When you open your eyes, don’t immediately start scrolling through your phone. Michelle recommends creating a digital-free morning routine where you prepare yourself mentally for the day ahead. Try taking a walk or journaling about what you’re looking forward to!
5. Control only what you can.
During tough seasons, our lives often feel out of control. That’s why it’s so helpful to focus on what we can control and make those choices when we are able to. We can also practice managing our perceptions of circumstances that are out of our hands. Ultimately, it’s our choice to focus on the positives or the negatives.
6. Limit your stressors.
This is good advice whether you’ve had a rough patch or not. Michelle says you should make a list of the things that stress you out. Then, if you can’t eliminate them completely, find ways to minimize your exposure to them. This will reduce your stress and improve your overall health as you move forward.
While life may be hard right now, we know you’re up for the challenge! You’ve come this far because you are strong and capable, so trust yourself to keep moving in the right direction.
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