We all have bad days. Sometimes they can turn into bad weeks or months, and things feel a bit hopeless. I'm going through one of these periods at the moment, where things aren't explicitly bad, but everything feels lonely and pointless. I know it all gets better over time, but here are five things I try to remember in the meantime:
1. It's okay to ask for help.
I know it's embarrassing to call a friend just to sob down the phone, but it helps. People around you care, and although they might not understand, they will try their best to cheer you up, or at least just give you a shoulder to cry on. There's no shame in going home for a weekend just to lie on the couch and cry, and although it doesn't make you feel very dignified in the moment, it's guaranteed to make you feel better.
2. Friends come from the places you least expect
Old friends are always there for you, but sometimes, new friends appear when you most need them and understand you in a way you never expected. Friends you've only known for a few weeks might be the ones walking around with you in the dark, just because you needed company. Old friends are great, but they can't always be there on the other side of the phone. Sometimes you need a new perspective and someone who will stay up until 2am either you, sobbing over chocolate ice cream. Don't drift away or shut yourself off from your old friends, but don't hesitate to trust someone just because they're new.
3. Teachers don't expect you to know everything at the start of term.
This is one of the things that stress me out a lot. I feel like I should know what the teachers are talking about, and be able to answer all their questions to show that I'm a capable student. The truth is, so far this year almost every lesson has put me on the verge of mental breakdowns. Teachers are there to help you learn, and will often help you along if you admit to them that you're struggling with something.
4. Find something to look forward to.
If you're having a tough week where nothing is falling into place, schedule something that you know will put a smile on your face (I swear the rhyming here was an accident, I didn't mean to be so cheesy). Plan to do something fun this weekend and the countdown to this might make everything feel a bit less overwhelming. It doesn't have to be anything big. Meeting up with an old friend, or just visiting a cute new cafe is more than enough, but it can make you feel a whole lot better.
5. Chocolate can help almost anything.
Perhaps not the most scientifically sound advice, but sometimes, an evening of your favourite show and chocolate fudge ice cream is all you need to feel better. I recommend Gilmore Girls, Glee or The Fosters, and even, as I've discovered recently, one of those fancy colouring books you see all over Instagram. They're a lot of fun actually (and some of them are even Harry Potter-themed), and they're a great distraction if you need something to focus your attention on.
If you're going through a bad time now, just remember that everything will get better, but in the meantime, I hope this post helped you a bit. If you're interested I blog over at The Amanda Way, I hope you check it out!
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