These reminders for hard days will pull you out of negative headspace and help you find the light during dark times.
Nobody in the world has a perfect life. We all feel pain, suffer from low points, and face challenges that test our limits.
Everyone has their battles to fight. Yours might look different than someone else’s, but we are bonded by our need to rise above our tough times.
On those hard days, when everything feels overwhelming, it can be hard to see a way forward.
You might feel frustrated, angry, and even curse the universe for landing you in such a situation.
Or you might be confused about why you’re even feeling this way because sometimes there is no reason behind hard days.
During such times, it’s important to instill hope and faith in yourself instead of abandoning them. And the reminders in this post will do just that for you.
Read on to remind yourself of your power and be kind to yourself in the face of the storm.
20 Uplifting Reminders For Hard Times
1. It’s okay to not be okay
I am starting off with the most cliche reminder ever, but it’s also the most powerful reminder that you need to tell yourself again and again.
It’s absolutely okay to not be okay. Feeling down, frustrated, and overwhelmed is a natural part of the human experience.
You’re allowed to be vulnerable, and you’re allowed to be down.
There is quiet strength in admitting that and just letting yourself be, instead of constantly fighting against the flow of emotions.
So, surrender, for as long as you need to, so that the healing can begin as the next step.
2. Every step forward counts
On your bad days, even the tiniest step forward counts.
If you’re getting out of bed, that’s good. If you’re taking a shower, that’s great. If you’re cooking something for yourself, that’s amazing.
If you’re driving yourself to the grocery store, walking your dog, or just reading this article, you’re doing so so good. And I am proud of you for that.
And you should be proud too, for taking all these tiny steps.
Celebrate your efforts, because each small step is a testament to your perseverance and courage. You’re moving forward, and that’s what matters.
3. Even the toughest storms shall pass
Hard times are temporary. No, I really mean it. This is temporary, and it will all be better soon.
No matter how overwhelming things may seem right now, you have to remember that this moment will not last forever.
Just as the seasons change, so do our circumstances.
Better days are ahead, and the challenges you face now will soon be behind you.
That’s just how life works, in a series of ups and downs.
4. You are capable of great things
It can be hard to have faith in yourself when things are going wrong, but dear reader, you need to believe in your potential.
You have unique talents, skills, and strengths that can lead to amazing accomplishments.
Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, you are capable of achieving great things. So, don’t let temporary setbacks cloud your vision of your potential.
Hold onto your dreams and aspirations, and remember that you have the ability to make them a reality. You just need to keep pushing forward.
5. It’s okay to rest and recharge
During hard times, your body and mind need more rest than usual. It is necessary for healing and rejuvenation.
Do not let the self-sabotaging voice in your head tell you otherwise. There is no guilt in taking rest as often as you need it.
Take small breaks throughout the day, give yourself a self-care day, and go on a trip if that’s what you need.
You will be serving yourself in the best way by doing this, and come back stronger to face the coming days.
6. Your Feelings Are Valid
Whatever you’re feeling is real and valid, and you shouldn’t let anyone (or even yourself) tell you otherwise.
So often, we resist the tide of our emotions and make ourselves guilty for feeling.
But emotions are a natural response to your experiences and circumstances.
You should always acknowledge and honor your feelings without judgment. They are a part of your journey and can provide valuable insights into what you need.
Telling yourself, “My feelings are valid,” will help you understand yourself and your needs better, and give yourself exactly what is needed in this moment.
7. You are loved no matter what
Struggles can leave you feeling alone. I’ve been there too; we all have. But do we really have to do it on our own? Not really.
You are valued and cherished by those who know you. Even when we think we have nobody, we always do.
Don’t let your self-sabotaging thoughts stop you from seeking out your loved ones.
It could be a friend, a brother, your mom, or a kind mentor. Reach out to your person, lean on them, and let their love uplift you.
Sometimes, just talking about your struggles to someone who gets you can bring the relief and comfort that you so badly need.
8. You have overcome challenges before
This isn’t your first storm. Am I right?
You’ve faced hard things, made it through moments you thought you couldn’t, and came out stronger, even if scarred.
Look back on your hardships. Not to dwell, but to remember that you’ve done hard before.
Back then, it must’ve felt like you can’t go on, but somehow, you did. And those obstacles only made you stronger.
You’re built for resilience, and this current struggle is not the end.
You have an inner strength that emerges in times of need, and it’s more than enough to overcome adversity.
9. Small acts of self-care matter
When you are struggling, simple self-care can come through for you.
Little things like a warm bath, a favorite snack, or a quiet moment can make a big difference in how you feel.
Don’t underestimate the power of these small gestures. They can give you comfort, quiet, power, and so much more that even the most expensive things in the world can’t.
So, take time to do things that bring you joy and comfort, and let self-care heal your mind one small ritual at a time.
10. You have the power to choose your response
You can’t control everything that hits you, but you can control how you respond. That’s real power.
It means you’re not just a passenger to your emotions or your circumstances.
You get to pause, breathe, and decide: What now? How do I show up? What do I refuse to let define me?
That choice is your strength, and it’s always yours to make.
11. You can find light amidst the dark
In your dark moments, it may seem like there is no hope. But the light is never really gone. It just gets harder to see.
It’s still there, in small acts of kindness, in your own resilience, in the quiet moments you survive.
It is there in the smile of a loved one, in the rising sun, the first sip of your morning coffee, and every good thing that life has to offer.
You don’t have to fake positivity, but do try to look for just one thing that can keep you going.
A deep breath, a friend’s message, the fact that you’re still here, reading this. That’s light, and it counts.
12. You are making a difference
Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, even if no one says it out loud, your presence, your effort, your care, it all matters.
The quiet ways you show up, push through, help others, or just hold on when it’s hard… those things ripple out.
You don’t need a spotlight to be impactful, dear friend.
You are shifting things, shaping lives, and building strength just by being here.
Even as you read this article, you are helping me be able to make a living doing something I love so much. So, thank you for that. You matter more than you realize.
13. Your story is not over
This moment is just one chapter in your life, not the whole book.
You’ve been through chapters that nearly broke you, and you’re still here.
Your story is still being written, and there are going to be countless opportunities for growth and happiness.
There’ll be more growth, more change, and more unexpected good.
Don’t let a difficult chapter convince you it’s the end, because it’s not! Look forward to the future with hope and excitement.
This is gonna sound so cliche, but the best is yet to come, and you’ll have complete power to shape your journey in the next chapter of life. You’re still becoming!
14. You have gifts that are precious and unique
There are things about you no one else can replicate. It might not be loud or flashy, but it’s real, and it matters.
Your perspective, instincts, talents, experiences, and your way of showing up in the world — those are your strengths.
Don’t underestimate them just because they’re different or quiet. The world needs what only you can bring.
While you’re going through hard times, embrace your individuality and recognize the gifts you have to offer.
It can really help to silently celebrate yourself during such times.
15. You are worth fighting for
You are worth fighting for, not just by others, but by you. Your needs, your peace, your healing, they do matter.
You’re not a lost cause. You’re not “too much” or “not enough.”
You are a human being with value that doesn’t disappear just because you’re having a hard time.
Stand up for yourself and fight for your dreams, your happiness, and your health. Do this for you, and you’ll thank yourself a few steps down the road.
16. You are growing, despite your challenges
It might not feel like progress, but every time you face something hard and keep moving, you’re changing.
Even when you’re tired, even when it’s messy, you’re becoming more resilient, more aware, more you.
Growth doesn’t always look like winning. It sometimes looks like surviving.
Pain forces growth, and struggle sharpens strength. Always remember that.
17. Your worth is not defined by your struggles
Your worth isn’t tied to how well you’re coping. It’s rooted in who you are, not what you’re going through.
You are a complex person who has strengths, passions, and potential that go beyond the difficulties you face.
Remember that you are defined by your character, your dreams, and your actions. You are made of things you love.
Embrace the entirety of who you are and recognize that your value is not diminished by your struggles.
You are more than any challenge you encounter.
18. There is strength in inner stillness
You don’t always have to fight noise with noise. Sometimes the bravest act is simply to be still and steady.
Try to find stillness within yourself, a calm center where your mind and heart can settle.
You can do this just by pausing and breathing deeply for a few minutes.
Deep breathing creates a space for you to reconnect with your true power. It will help you reclaim control over your emotions and thoughts.
Whenever you find yourself spiraling, remind yourself of this power of stillness.
It’s in these quiet moments that clarity surfaces, resilience builds, and your strength grows quietly.
19. Exercise is the ultimate form of stress release
Exercise may be the last thing you want to do right now. It’s boring, tough, and a drag, right?
But I strongly felt the need to add it’s importance in this post, because it’s personally helped me a lot during my hard times.
It’s the most natural way to release built-up stress and tension.
Every step, stretch, and breath you take in motion helps clear the fog of overwhelm, flooding your brain with mood-boosting endorphins that lift your spirits and calm your nerves.
The best part is the end of the workout, which leaves you feeling so strong in your body.
It reminds you that you have the power to change how you feel, even when circumstances seem beyond your control.
Yoga, a 30-minute walk, soft morning stretch, cycling, HIIT, dance — do whatever makes you feel good. Sweat it out on the mat and watch how you glow up from within.
20. You are a work in progress
You might be frustrated on hard days, especially when things don’t go as planned or you don’t feel like enough.
But it helps to remember that you are a work in progress, which means you’re growing, evolving, and learning every single day.
You’re not meant to have it all figured out right now.
Each step forward, even the small or messy ones, is part of your unique journey toward becoming the best version of yourself.
Embrace the process with kindness and patience, and know that your imperfections are signs of your humanity. Your courage to keep moving ahead is what makes you truly strong.
Okay, so those were the 20 reminders for hard days.
I hope my words give you the courage you need to get through difficult days and give you the courage you need to stand tall (or lay low, whatever you need in this moment from yourself).
Take care, and I will see you in the next post.
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