Life isn’t always plain sailing and I bet that we have all had times in our lives where we have struggled more than others. It is absolutely okay to find things tricky and need to make changes in our lives in order to be happier. Sometimes it isn’t even about being overly happy, but instead just about being content with what is happening and not finding every day a struggle. So, if you’re awake all night because you just can’t sleep, or your finding everyday tasks difficult then make sure you check in with yourself about what is happening and what you might need to do in order to improve your life and feel better.

Making Sure That You’re Doing Okay

You can read things online that tell you being happy is the most important thing, but I know from personal experience that actually the most important thing is making it through the day. Of course, happiness is great but it is unrealistic to think that every day we have on the planet is going to be filled with happiness and smiles. Sometimes life is tough and it is absolutely okay to admit that things are sometimes difficult and consider what coping mechanisms you need in order to be okay.

Dealing With Things

I know that when you’re in the middle of a particularly tricky time, knowing how to deal with things becomes tough. You get stuck in this endless cycle of feeling like crap, so not feeling motivated to do anything difficult and then feeling worse. Sometimes it’s okay to spend a few days watching Netflix and just chilling in bed, but there has to be a time when you start to think about how things could be different and what you can do to make that happen. That could simply be getting up and getting dressed the next day and watching TV on the sofa for a few hours rather than in bed – it doesn’t always have to be massive strides towards making things better – just small steps every now and then when you feel up to it.

I am someone that likes my own company so it is easy for me to spend a few days on my own to try and get my head together and work out a plan out of my slump. You should consider what works best for you and how you can make it happen – for example, lots of people find it useful to force themselves outside with friends to be sociable and others find a video chat with a friend can help. There is no right or wrong; instead there is just the path that works for you and your own, personal experiences.

Asking For Help

When suffering from anxiety and/or depression it can make you feel as though nothing is worth doing – and that includes getting better/asking for help. However, in my personal experience when I am taking medication or seeking out therapy I have a pattern of feeling better again. Sometimes I forget the impact of taking my regular medication has and convince myself that I can come off of them because I am feeling good again. This is, until I stop taking them and go back to feeling bad again. Of course, I can only talk about my own experiences and I have no doubt that if you’re someone that is dealing with or has dealt with anxiety/depression then you will have very different ones. However, I think most people would agree that asking for help or at least letting someone you trust know how you feel can be helpful

There are different options for seeking help and sometimes getting the help of a professional is the right route – I’ve certainly been down that route before. Private psychiatry is a great option when it comes to seeking help because you can talk to someone that is unbiased towards how you are feeling and experienced in helping people work through their issues. Sometimes talking to a friend can result in “Oh I know, but it’s not that bad…” conversations which are often not very helpful. Your feelings are valid and anyone who makes you feel differently is wrong.

However you’re feeling today, know that it can get better & sometimes the first step is just finding the motivation to want it to be better. I hope today is kind to you.