How to Move From Feeling Hopeless to Hopeful?
Have you been in a situation where everything feels hopeless?
The hole you’re in feels so deep you wonder if you’ll ever be able to crawl out of it. To make it worse, difficult life situations seem to come all at once. Sometimes it feels like life just wants to kick us when we’re down. It’s hard to imagine a light at the end of the dark tunnel in those tough times. We find ourselves hoping the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a train!
How do we move from feeling hopeless to hopeful?
This is a complex subject and we can only speak about from our own experiences, how we as individuals find hope can be very different. Please respond to our email to share what’s worked for you. With your permission we will anonymously share your ideas so everyone in our community benefits.
This is What's Worked For Us
1) Keep the faith
Even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, we remind ourselves that we have been through and survived tough times before. We have faith that we will make it to the other side of this too. Initially, we may be a little battered and bruised as we move through the adversity. Once on the other side, we believe those bruises will turn to badges of wisdom to draw from to help others.
2) Take one step, one breath at a time
When we are in the middle of a crisis, every thing can seem overwhelming and pretty much impossible. Instead of tackling the whole challenge, move through it at your own pace by taking one step and one breathe at a time. The feeling of hopelessness can keep us standing still. It may feel like you’re taking baby steps at the time and that’s okay, you are moving in right direction and you will arrive at your destination with a greater sense of compassion and empathy for others going through a similar situation

Remember This Too Shall Pass and Upon Reflection We Will Understand Why
3) Believe this situation will pass
It may not pass as quickly as you want it to, but it will pass when it has taught you the lessons you need to learn. If you resist the lessons, if you fight it, the situation can linger until you get the message. Let go of trying to control the situation. Look for the silver lining, it’s there somewhere. This experience will transform you if you let it.
4) Reach out to Others
We all go through difficult times, there’s no escaping them. It’s like being stuck in a maze. No matter how hard we try, we go in the wrong direction or we keep coming up against a dead end. Know whatever you are going through, someone else has been in the same place and survived. Sharing the pain you’re feeling can be a freeing experience for everyone. Because we are vulnerable, more authentic and that’s when the mask we once hid behind is gone.

Reaching Out to Friends Can Help Us Feel Better Even in Challenging Times
5) Cut Yourself Some Slack
Maybe the lesson you need to learn is slow down, take a breath, love fiercely, laugh often. Whatever you need more of in your life, or need to let go of, trust the process. Take walks in nature and notice the little things. Journal to remember the journey, some of the richest wisest wisdom comes out of adversity.

Journaling Can Provide Insight and Be a Wealth of Valuable Information
6) Know You are Going Through This For a Reason
We may not know what the reason is when we’re in it. It’s so difficult survival is our only concern. It’s only when we reflect back that we see the reason behind going though what we did. There will always be a reason and it’s up to us to trust that the reason will reveal it’s self when it’s supposed to. Which takes us in one big circle, which is Keep the Faith …. This Too Shall Pass!
Thats some of the things that work for us. Please share some ideas that help you in difficult times. We look forward to hearing from you.
Bye for now!
Adrienne and Bob