When Life Seems Bleak . . .

I'm sure you've had those moments when life gets you down and there seems to be no hope in the future. It feels like there is no way out and you start having thoughts such as, "I'm sunk. There is no way I can get out of this mess. I'm ruined. I'm going to be out on the streets. I have no way to provide for my family. I have no one to turn to, etc. . ." These dark thoughts plague our minds with hopelessness. As we entertain these thoughts, we start to feel the effects seep into our emotions causing sadness, anger, depression and more hopelessness. It pulls us into a downward spin of negative emotions which makes it more difficult to overcome. As counselors, we've studied the effects of entertaining negative thoughts. Studies have shown that when people focus on the good things happening in their lives, aka blessings, they improve emotionally and generally aren't caught in that downward spin.

So do counting your blessings really work? Yes and no. Not only do we need to count our blessings but we need to also recognize when those negative thoughts come and then stop them. It's called the thought stopping technique in psychology. It takes time and practice, but I know it can help. Along with these techniques, I would encourage you to develop strategies as to how you can possibly solve your problems. Write them down. Make sure you're in good place mentally and thoughts will come. Lastly, if you are severely depressed about it, KEEP SHOWING UP. This means to force yourself to show up and do good things. As you continue to put yourself in good situations and think good thoughts, the answers will come.