Finding Light in Dark Times: 3 Practical Tips

I’m a believer that we have those low points for a multitude of reasons. They range from battling mental illnesses, financial issues, and not being on your life path to feeling isolated and coping with undealt/current traumatic experiences. No one is immune from having a bout of feeling suicidal.

 

 

The negative loop that goes on inside the mind. The feeling of being trapped with no sign of happiness insight. It’s a struggle of doing things that seem to be basic for everyone else, like waking up, showering, and even eating. Just overall, not feeling like life is worth it enough to continue to live. “Why am I so weak? What was the reason for being born into this life without a guide to see how to make it better?”

 

All that being said, it’s key to remember that you are not alone. I know it sounds corny and you may think, “no, I know everyone feels hard times but not like this, I’m truly not strong enough for this life”. But one of the most important things to remember when you’re feeling suicidal is that you are not alone. 

 

 

 

 

 

You are not weak or broken; you are a soul living a human experience and it sucks sometimes. Of course, it’s within this moment, life sucks a lot, but I promise if you keep going it will get better. This pain is temporary and there is only one way to go from here:

 that’s UP.

 

 

If you still don’t feel a twinge of hope, just imagine giving up and never seeing all you could do in this lifetime. Let alone, not seeing that peace in life that I promise will come when you find your inner strength to continue. When you figure out your dream and life purpose and when you’re able to comfort others that are going through what you’re going through right now and letting yourself be the face of “if I can go from being so low and turn it around you can too”. I know you’re feeling as if the sadness and emptiness are never-ending, but with that said, I promise if you don’t continue, there is zero possibility in this lifetime of a breakthrough. You take yourself out of the running to see when it gets better, and I promise it will.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Tips to Help Get out of Depression: 

1. Remember, you are not alone

 

• Other have felt similar to how you’re feeling.
  • The Golden Gate Bridge is a place where over a thousand of people have attempted suicide. Here’s a video of Kevin Hines telling his story.

 

2. Get the emotions out and don’t bottle them 

• Pick up your pen and write everything you’re feeling down. Release it.

• Talk to yourself (aloud)

• If you’re up to it, talk to someone.

3. Raise your mood

• Listen to uplifting music:
  • Three Little Birds- Bob Marley & The Wailers
  • If that’s too much, try- Slippin’ – DMX
  • Oh, you don’t want words try this– the comments alone will inspire you

 

• Watch a feel good movie or one that reminds you of your childhood and that you have had happy/content moments:
  • Movies like
    • 10 things I hate about you
    • Matilda
    • Greece
    • Big Hero 6 (most recent on the list)

 

• Be in nature
  • Sunbath or moonlight bath

 

• Be in the present moment
  • Place your hand on your chest right now. Feel your heart beating. It’s amazing what all had to happen and fall in line for you to be born you.

 

• Practice Gratitude
  • List 10 things your grateful for regardless of how small you think they are

You’re the only one that can save yourself and you have a purpose in this world and part of it; I assure you, is to share this period with others so they know they aren’t alone. Part of being human is to experience a range of emotions that’s not always good and social media only includes the highlights of people’s life. The range of emotions you feel allows the highs to feel just that much better. You see how far you’ve come.

Find Out What’s Out Of Alignment In Your Life

When you’re more grounded and out of a negative spiral of thoughts, a change is necessary. Since you’ve gotten this low point, it should alert you that you need to change something to avoid this from occurring in the future. Whether it’s connecting with people, changing careers, or seeking professional help, take a step to help yourself get into alignment with your path.

 

 If you need help in figuring out the change needed, I’ll include some questions to ask yourself:

 

•   What do you enjoy doing?

• What don’t you enjoy doing?

• Does your career align with it?
  • If not, try new things and figure out what motivates you in life.

 

We are at this moment because something must change and you’re the only one that can make that change.

• Are you connecting with others?
• Are you happy in your relationships?

 

Humans are social creatures. So it doesn’t matter how antisocial you think you are. We need others to live, so find one person you can talk to and can help you decompress. There are apps like Eventbrite that help you connect to people that may have similar interest.

 

• What are you providing for the world or would like to provide?

 

An action one can carry out to feel good about living and life is to develop or discover what you provide to the world. I find it helps people feel like they are of value. Understand that innately you are worthy of life and living, but people tend to feel their worth when they feel they are giving something to the world. Whether it’s being a teacher and giving kids a quality education, donating to people in need, volunteering at a shelter, or sharing your life experience with others to help motivate others *wink wink*

 

  

 

 

Things To Remember:

 

 

• You’re innately born of worth
• You are born and therefore meant to be here
• You are not alone
• Suicide is a permanent action for a temporary problem 
• A multitude of events had to occur for you to be born and to be the person you are. You are one of a kind. There is no replacement for you.
• If for no one else, continue for me. I want you here, and to know I’ve been at those low points several times, you are not alone.

 

In Closing:

 

 I wrote this when I was feeling at one of my lowest points and it helped me continue going forward. Hope it helps someone.

 

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and isn’t a replacement for professional medical advice. Consult your own therapist or other mental health professionals with your questions and concerns.

 

If you need someone to talk to, reach out to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

This resource is available for a confidential chat 24 /7

• The toll-free number is 800-273-8255.