Times of discouragement are not uncommon throughout the seasons of our lives. If you are like me you have had to deal with varying levels of discouragement. It can be caused from things such as dealing with your weight, parenting, financial struggles and the list goes on. Often times discouraging situations can leave you feeling drained and can cause you to stop chasing your dreams. It can even have a negative impact on your day-to-day mindset making it difficult to tackle even the small tasks in life. Discouragement is the state of being discouraged, and discouraged is being deprived of courage or confidence. Furthermore, discouragement is to be disheartened, which is to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage. Essentially, it can break down your spirit and morale. According to the Institute for Basic Life Principles, discouragements can be summed up into three different stages. First being mild discouragement, which can occur when a person experiences minor problems or pressures that effect their emotions. The second stage is strong discouragement, which is when someone faces major problems or pressures, this effects our spirit and is usually recognizable by others as the person will show physical and/or emotional effects of the discouragement. Lastly is the disabling stage, where someone faces such a high level of discouragement that desire and energy hits rock bottom. The person is often left feeling hopeless, even to the point they may feel the inability to go on in life. The reason I am getting into the details of what exactly is discouragement is because I feel like it is one of those things we need to fully understand and be aware of. I feel that there are a lot of people out there that are hit with discouragement, are dealing with the effects of it and are struggling, dealing or recovering from it and getting back operating in life at a high level.

One of, if not the biggest part of dealing with discouraging times, which I have realized from my own experiences, has to do with mindset and even more important, faith. That being your mindset on a day-to-day basis, therefore before a discouraging situation arises, and then at the time that a discouraging situation occurs. Not too long ago I had what I would say falls in the “strong discouragement” classification. I lost a job, not only did I lose the job, it was because of my own stupidity. It was one of those situations where regret and that hopeless feeling of what next, the “what am I going to do” feeling, can easily overwhelm someone emotionally, possibly even physically. Luckily for me I have an impressive group of friends and family that are wise and supportive that I was able to lean on. But most of all I had my faith, which provides me the strengthen and recognition that I have it within me to overcome the situation. Just as you do if you experienced this same situation.

Learning how to deal with discouragement is important.

Here are a few things I suggest that have helped me.

• Try to surround yourself with positivity as much as possible. Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves, or we allow ourselves to be surrounded by negative influences which can cause what I call toxic overload. It’s hard to turn from the negative impacts of being discouraged when you are constantly exposed to negativity. Find encouragement where you can, motivating podcasts, motivating movies, look up some motivational sayings, and try to surround yourself with those people who seem to have a positive outlook on life.
• When you have accomplishments in life, even small, take time to celebrate responsibility. Those celebrations are a taking a moment to recognize that you are capable of accomplishment and you do have worth. This can also help with #1, surrounding yourself with positivity.
• Flip the negatives to positives. When faced with discouraging situations, find a way to flip it to a positive. For instance, if you made a mistake, view it as a learning experience, it’s likely not the end of the world, and you can build on it by learning from it and improving by figuring out how to not make the same mistake again.
• Develop healthy habits. Living a healthy life can help us feel better physically and mentally, naturally. Exercise especially, is rewarding and helps develop confidence, being a more confident person can help you shield yourself against the drain on confidence that can often come from discouragement.
• In the journey of life, we all encounter moments of discouragement. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, defeated, or unsure of our abilities when faced with setbacks or challenges. However, it is essential to remember that within each of us lies a remarkable power—the ability to overcome discouragement.
• Discouragement may cast a shadow on your path, but it does not define you. It is merely a temporary state that can be conquered with determination, resilience, and a positive mindset. When faced with setbacks, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are stronger than any obstacle that comes your way.
• Recognize that failure is not a reflection of your worth or potential. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better. Embrace the lessons hidden within each setback, for they hold the key to your future success. Remember, even the most successful individuals faced multiple failures before reaching their goals.
• Surround yourself with a support system of family, friends, and mentors who believe in you. Seek their guidance and encouragement when doubt creeps in. They will remind you of your capabilities and push you to keep going, even when you feel like giving up.
• Celebrate your small victories along the way. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to your resilience and determination. Give yourself credit for your progress and keep your focus on the bigger picture.
• Above all, believe in yourself. Trust in your abilities, your skills, and your potential. You are capable of achieving great things, and no amount of discouragement can dim the light within you. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, face them head-on, and let your inner strength guide you to success.
• Remember, you have the power to overcome discouragement. With perseverance, resilience, and a positive mindset, you can conquer any obstacle and forge a path towards a brighter, more fulfilling future. Keep going, and never lose faith in yourself.