How to Keep Going When It Feels Impossible

In this short guide, I will give you 5 steps to work on, especially for the days that feel so hard. I have struggled with mental illness for most of my life and I know how hard it can be to just get out of bed. Please remember that you are never alone. You will make it through this and you will be okay, it just takes one day at a time.

Step One: Prepare For The Bad Days

The first step is all about preparing on the better days for the days you know will come. What I liked to do is make sure I get into a habit of drinking lots of water , always having a clean water bottle and getting into the habit of forcing myself to clean up, shower and at least have a small snack. It is definitely hard to force yourself to do these things but the more you do it, the easier it becomes! Start today by keeping track of how much water you drink, how much you sleep and how much you eat. While these things won’t cure your mental illness, they will help in making sure you stay healthy physically so you don’t get sick while dealing with depression, anxiety, etc. Start today and I promise it gets easier!

Step Two: Get a Routine Set For Yourself

The second step is all about routine and it sort of goes along with Step One. By routine, I mean something you can do when you get up and/or before you go to bed. For me, I drink a glass of water, stretch, do a small, guided mediation and do some journaling. I also focus on what I am grateful for. These small things help me get my mind straightened before I have to tackle any day but most especially the bad days. Keep these habits up by practicing daily!

Step Three: Find Your People/Supprot System

Step Three is also about preparing for those hard days. For me, I have my boyfriend, my best friend and my therapist. They all know when I am having a hard time and are there to encourage me and push me ahead. I return the favor for them and it truly helps when I can’t keep going. Find your people, the people that won’t bother you but will help you push ahead and that will remind you why you’re needed.

Step Four: Do What You Can for Your Mental Health

The fourth step is a harder step but most definitely worth it! Get yourself to a psychiatrist (or similar), get a diagnosis (if available) and try out some medications. Take your medications and communicate with your doctor about how they work. Get a therapist, either online or in person and implement what they tell you! You are the most important person in your life and making sure you are putting yourself AND your mental health first is key! It is hard to take the first step but I believe in you! Call some hotlines, get suggestions from friends and keep going when it gets sticky.

Step Five: Put It All Together and Face The Day

The final step is just putting it all together. Start building so that when the hard days do hit, you feel a little better about how to tackle them. Get some hotline numbers in your phone, get those friends to understand how you are feeling and most importantly give yourself grace. You will have bad days, you will make mistakes and you will hurt .. you’re human! Put in the work to understand yourself and get the tools you need to help you. Remember, you are not in this fight alone. Focus on being better for yourself every single day and you will not only survive but you will thrive.

National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255