9 Things to Do If You Feel Hopeless
1. Consider That Your Brain Might Be Lying to You
You might even think things like, I’ve tried everything already and nothing works!
But that’s probably a cognitive distortion. You may have tried a few things or even 10 things but you likely haven’t tried everything.
You might even think things like, I’ve tried everything already and nothing works!
But that’s probably a cognitive distortion. You may have tried a few things or even 10 things but you likely haven’t tried everything.
2. Argue the Opposite
Arguing the opposite might just open your brain up to the idea that things may not be as gloomy as you’re anticipating.
Arguing the opposite might just open your brain up to the idea that things may not be as gloomy as you’re anticipating.
3. Think About What You Gain From Being Hopeless
Upon a little more reflection you might discover that feeling hopeless protects you from being disappointed. If you don’t expect anything good to happen, you don’t have to worry about being disappointed if things go poorly.
Upon a little more reflection you might discover that feeling hopeless protects you from being disappointed. If you don’t expect anything good to happen, you don’t have to worry about being disappointed if things go poorly.
4. Consider What You Could Gain From Developing Hope
On the flipside, consider what you could gain if you became more hopeful. How might your life change? What would you be doing differently if you had hope?
Then, you might go ahead and start acting as if you were hopeful.
On the flipside, consider what you could gain if you became more hopeful. How might your life change? What would you be doing differently if you had hope?
Then, you might go ahead and start acting as if you were hopeful.
5. Engage In Problem-Solving
Spend some time thinking about potential solutions to the problem.
Brainstorm ideas and keep them in mind, you don’t even necessarily need good ideas.
Just see if you can come up with as many strategies as you can to address a problem.
Spend some time thinking about potential solutions to the problem.
Brainstorm ideas and keep them in mind, you don’t even necessarily need good ideas.
Just see if you can come up with as many strategies as you can to address a problem.
6. Talk to a Trusted Friend or Family Member
When you’re struggling to identify possible solutions or you are having a hard time getting unstuck, reach out to a trusted friend or family member.
Tell them what you’re experiencing.
When you’re struggling to identify possible solutions or you are having a hard time getting unstuck, reach out to a trusted friend or family member.
Tell them what you’re experiencing.
7. Develop a Plan
After you’ve developed ideas by yourself and/or with someone else create a plan. Decide what step you are going to take first.
Keep in mind that if plan A doesn’t work, you can always have a plan B.
After you’ve developed ideas by yourself and/or with someone else create a plan. Decide what step you are going to take first.
Keep in mind that if plan A doesn’t work, you can always have a plan B.
8. Take Action
Once you have a plan in place, it’s important to take action.
After all, you likely won’t gain hope about your situation by sitting still. Instead, you’ll gain more hope when you start putting yourself out there and start seeing what you can do.
Once you have a plan in place, it’s important to take action.
After all, you likely won’t gain hope about your situation by sitting still. Instead, you’ll gain more hope when you start putting yourself out there and start seeing what you can do.
9. Seek Professional Help
Hopelessness can be a symptom of a mental health issue, like depression.
So if your feelings of hopelessness last more than two weeks or you’re concerned about your mental health, talk to someone.
Most mental health issues are very treatable.
Hopelessness can be a symptom of a mental health issue, like depression.
So if your feelings of hopelessness last more than two weeks or you’re concerned about your mental health, talk to someone.
Most mental health issues are very treatable.
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