As a follow-up to yesterday’s post encouraging us to hang in there when the inevitable challenges show up, below are a few techniques that might help us.
Rekindle hope.
Talk to a friend or loved one who can be counted on to be positive, encouraging, and supportive.
If we don’t have anyone in our life like this right now, then we can go to YouTube and listen to the many, many motivational and inspirational messages posted there.
Have a small victory–a large one is good, too!
We can do an easy task, for instance, cleaning out and straightening the junk drawer in the kitchen. Having a small victory can go a long way toward helping us gain perspective on our circumstances.
Help someone.
Perhaps there’s a colleague or a neighbor that is struggling. Reach out a helping hand. This can help us get out of our own way and can help us see that we aren’t the only one with problems and difficulties.
If nothing else, we can share our smile with passersby and hold the door open for the people coming behind us.
Be gentle and kind.
While we might be tempted to find fault with ourselves, this is counter-productive. This only adds to the bad feelings we may be experiencing.
Instead realize that we did our best with the information and skills we had at the time. It’s fine to note the places where we might improve or use a different tactic next time, but to dwell on it doesn’t help.
Kindness and gentleness–which is NOT the same as letting ourselves off the hook–are what are needed now. These can go a long way toward soothing and calming us so that we can think and then take action. Clear thinking and taking action are the two most important things we can do.
The next moment is fresh and new and ready for us to begin again.
The next moment is full of potential. We can choose right here and right now to make a fresh start. No matter what has or has not happened in the past, we can begin anew now.
You can do this; you can begin again!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Yes I Can Pep Talks 
