Why not try some of the suggestions below; the strategies of resourceful people - you may find life becomes less stressful and more rewarding.
Learn how to 'roll with the punches'.
Accept that life isn't always fair and that sometimes we need to simply 'suck it up' and get on with life. There will always be situations that we can't change or are out of our control, but we do have control over our thoughts (or can learn this) so you can choose how to respond to emotional events. Decide which challenges are worth your energy and which you can let go.
Be Mindful.
When you dwell on past mistakes or worry about what's going to happen in the future, you're not allowing yourself to live fully in the moment. Focus on what's going on right now and enjoy today; today is the only time you can act. Consider learning Mindfulness meditation; the more you practise it, the more natural it becomes.
Resist playing it safe.
It may seem the sensible option for some, but if you always do this, you leave yourself no room for growth, nor the possibility of achieving greatness. Taking risks can be scary, but trying something new can lead to new possibilities. If the risk results in what we may deem as failure, don't use this as an excuse to give up. Learn from it and think about what could be done differently next time. If no-one ever took risks in life the world would be a very dull place.
Don't be 'a pleaser'.
If you need the acceptance of others in order to validate yourself you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Of course it's nice to be liked, but the reality is that not everyone is going to like you. We all 'gel' with different people and that's ok. Your wellbeing doesn't depend on anyone else's approval. Important to note too, is that people will respond to what we project; if you see yourself as unimportant, you're likely to be treated accordingly. By accepting yourself as you are, you are likely to gain acceptance and respect from others too. Set relationship boundaries by being honest about your feelings and say 'no' when necessary.
Spend quality time alone.
Enjoy 'hanging out' with yourself and use these times to do things that bring you pleasure. Pursue a hobby, learn something new, read a book (or write one!). Even 'doing nothing' can allow you to re-connect with yourself and what makes you happy. Realising that you don't need to have company in order to feel good about yourself can help you become more confident, self-sufficient and resourceful.
I hope you found these ideas and strategies helpful. They are by no means exhaustive and don't represent a 'roadmap' to happiness, but they're certainly worth applying in your day to day life. You will almost certainly notice a shift in how you feel cabout yourself and your life and experience the empowerment that comes from taking responsibility for your own wellbeing and self-esteem. If you find that you are still 'stuck' in a negative state and would like some help, just give me a call or email.
