7 Things to Do When You Need Encouragement

HAPPY NATIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT DAY! I challenge you to complete at least one of these today. Bonus points if you do all of them.

1.Write nice things to yourself on a mirror.

If you’re struggling with body-image issues, insecurities, lies spoken about you, etc. this is the exercise for you. The only tools you’ll need are a dry-erase marker (or sticky and writing utensil), mirror, and an open mind. You’re going to want to pick a mirror that you look into every day, maybe even multiple times a day. Disclaimer: if you share a mirror/bathroom with someone, please make sure it’s okay if you write on the mirror—and if they are, you can ask them to join.

This next part is a little strange, but effective. Say the words out loud. I’m not asking you to yell; it could even be a whisper. With this, you will also want to make eye contact with yourself. Weird, huh? It may seem silly and uncomfortable at first, but soon enough you’ll actually start to believe the words!

2. End every single day by writing down 10 things you’re grateful for.

If you’re an avid reader of the Thrive Thursday blogs (which I hope you are), you have seen Cassidy’s blog on gratitude. The health benefits speak volumes on their own. Practicing gratitude can be hard for some people who aren’t used to it, but it’s a skill that everyone should and can master. The best way to master it is to look at what you are NOT thankful for, and then find something about it to be thankful for. For example, if you stub your pinky toe, be thankful you have working pain receptors. Take up to two minutes at the end of the day to either write down or type out 10 things you’re grateful for. Every night.

“Why specifically at the end of the day?” I’m glad you asked! Ending the day with gratitude and positive feelings brings our focus away from negative events that happened.Think of a time you watched a movie that was so good—up until the ending. The ending of a film makes the difference between walking out of the theater content and regretting spending any money on a ticket.  Picture rough circumstances/bad days as rough waters: would it be easier to calm the waves or learn to swim? To form the habit of consistently ending the day with gratitude is, at the very least, to learn to encourage yourself (and to swim).

3. Compliment others.

This one is my favorite. The easiest way to feel encouraged is to encourage others. There hasn’t been a single time that I’ve regretted complimenting someone. There are a few common reactions: being bashful, thanking you, and/or complimenting you right back. If they don’t answer or ignore it—which occasionally might happen if someone is having a bad day or has their own issues to work through—that’s okay. Keep walking, and compliment someone else. The point of this exercise is to make others feel good! There is something satisfying about making someone’s day, or even making them happy for a little bit when they otherwise wouldn’t be.

4. Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while.

This kind of goes along with the previous one, but it’s different. Tell them you’re thinking of them and that you hope they’re doing well. This gesture is simple, and it truly goes a long way. To my pleasant surprise, there have even been times when someone I texted had recently thought about me too! A brief exchange with someone you don't talk to anymore brings back a feeling of nostalgia. Perhaps they'll even remind you of good memories you had forgotten, and perhaps you’ll find some encouragement.

5. Pick one thing that is tough for you right now and brainstorm all the different ways you can grow from it.

This one is also similar to the gratitude exercise. By brainstorming the different ways you will—yes, I said will—benefit from the struggle, you will transform your obstacles into opportunities. For example, if you’re taking a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course that you’re absolutely dreading, think of how much better of a writer you’ll be than you are now! I mean, if you’re going to have to deal with it anyway, why not change your perspective so that you always gain something valuable? Side note: you don’t have to limit yourself to one thing; if you want to brainstorm for all the tough things going on in your life, feel free!

6. Take a personality test. Or all of the personality tests. And some silly buzzfeed quizzes while you’re at it.

I don’t have the statistics, but I’m confident in saying everyone has taken a personality test. They’re easy to find, and most of them are fun! Depending on the test, you can see your strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, and more. I have always found them to be encouraging because they can spell out the strengths that are sometimes hard for someone to see on their own. Here are a few I have found online:  16 personalities, four temperaments, VisualDNA, enneagram, and DiSC test. Disclaimer: these can be time-consuming, so maybe try not to go on a personality-test-binge when you should be studying for an exam or writing a paper (I only say this because I’ve been there).

As for the BuzzFeed quizzes, Google “weird BuzzFeed quiz” and you will not be disappointed.

7. Find what fuels you.

If you're in need of encouragement, you're more than likely discouraged—a.k.a. running close to empty. It’s times like these where you have to ask yourself what gives you energy. Rediscover something you’re passionate about. Think about what makes you happy. Once you find the answer(s), do a little bit of it every day. Aim for 30 minutes a day, because it makes a huge difference. The examples here are endless! Ride your bike, go for a walk, draw, color, play the guitar, go to the gym, listen to music, go to the beach, play some ping pong, or even lay down in the grass and do absolutely nothing. If it can make your heart give a sigh of relief in the middle of a long day, do it.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Encouragement can come from anywhere and everywhere if you let it. Most of these involve either a change in perspective or an action on your part. That’s a huge takeaway I want to leave you with. If your encouragement is coming from other people, you might need to work on letting it come from yourself first. Affirmation is nice, but it is not sustaining. You have overcome many things, and you are still here! You got this.