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100 Words of Encouragement for Facing Hard Times

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106 Words of Encouragement for Your Spouse

Are you having trouble finding motivation during tough times? Maybe you’re feeling down or stressed out. Or maybe you’ve had a bad day at work and don’t want to get back into the office.

Whatever the reason, sometimes life gets really hard. When things go wrong, it can be tempting to give up. But let me tell you: there is always hope! No matter how difficult things are now, they will improve in time.

Here are some words of encouragement and affirmation that I have used myself when facing hard times.

They are also great for anyone who needs some extra positive support, whether they’re going through the grieving process after a loss, dealing with stress, anxiety, or just need something uplifting to help them relax.

Don’t have time to read the whole guide right now?

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Words of Encouragement When You’re Facing a Difficult Time

  • 1. It’s okay not to know what to do next.” — You might feel overwhelmed by all options available to choose from. It is okay to say no or ask someone else to take over certain responsibilities. And most importantly, we never truly know what our future holds.
  • 2. “There is light at every end of your tunnel!” — If you’re struggling to see the light at the end of your tunnel, remember that this too shall pass. Take one step forward each day and keep moving toward your goal.
  • 3. “Stay true to yourself.” — Life can become very confusing at times. Don’t try to fit yourself into an unrealistic mold if you don’t like that way of being. Be honest with yourself and make choices based on what you love about yourself, not on what you dislike.
  • 4. No matter what happens today, tomorrow is another opportunity to start again.” — Even after a traumatic experience, it is possible to move on and build a new life for oneself. As long as you continue to focus on the positive aspects of your life, you’ll find yourself doing well.
  • 5. “You’re stronger than you think.” — The truth is, we often underestimate our abilities because we’ve experienced so many negative events throughout our lives. So many people struggle to believe that they are strong enough to face their challenges. But the fact is, we are indeed strong!
  • 6. “Your best days are yet ahead.” — Focus on the bright side of life. Look forward to meeting new people, starting fresh, taking advantage of opportunities, and achieving goals. Keep moving forward and you will overcome any obstacles along the way.
  • 7. “Life isn’t fair; it doesn’t owe you anything.” — Some people may doubt this statement, but I stand firmly behind it. Your past does not determine your future, and that includes your struggles. Make peace with the pain and move on.
  • 8. “All things change, except for the memories we hold dear.” — Believe in the power of healing and transformation. Change is inevitable, even if it’s painful. Try to look at the glass half full rather than half empty.
  • 9. “You cannot live without hope. Hope keeps you alive. Without it, you could not survive.” — Let us remember that hope is what keeps us going through the tough times. We cannot create hope within ourselves, but we can use it as a resource to carry us through our darkest hours.
  • 10. “The world has made room for you, and you have nothing to fear but fear itself.” — We must stop letting our fears control us. Fear is what makes us lose our courage, leading to negative thoughts and behaviors. Instead, focus on what you have to offer.
  • 11. “Everything has a lesson to teach.” — Life experiences should be cherished, rather than feared. View them as tools for personal growth and development. What may seem difficult now, will ultimately lead to something positive later on down the road.
  • 12. Never allow anyone to steal from you what you value most.” — Set boundaries and protect your heart and mind. Do whatever you need to do to safeguard yourself, and don’t let anyone come between you and what matters most to you.
  • 13. There is always someone who cares.” — We live in a small world where everyone knows everything about us. People care when others are hurting. They want to help, but sometimes do not understand how to assist.
  • 14. “It takes only one person to make a difference in your life. The trick is finding him or her.”— Finding the right person is extremely important. When you find the love of your life or some other soul mate, you have found an individual whose support you can depend on.
  • 15. “I’m worth the extra effort. All worthwhile things take time. Take the time to get them done right.” — Don’t rush trying to reach your goals. You must invest energy into making your dreams come true, as opposed to just rushing around trying to accomplish too much.
  • 16. “No matter how long it takes, how hard it gets, keep holding on; never ever give up!”— Sometimes all we need is a little push in the right direction. Even if you fall off the wagon every once in awhile, don’t ever give up! Get back on your feet, and start again.
  • 17. “If you’re not willing to risk the ordinary…you’ll never experience the extraordinary. So why not risk it?” – In order to achieve success and happiness, we will often have to take action even if we feel uncomfortable or afraid to. If we never try, then we might miss out on opportunities for a better future.
  • 18. “Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others say or do is intended as a reflection on you.” — What others think does not really impact you; their opinions aren’t real. You shouldn’t judge people based on such unimportant factors.
  • 19. “There’s still beauty in suffering. There’s joy in hardship. There are lessons to learn. There are treasures to discover.” — Acknowledging and accepting hardships and challenges with a good attitude will pave the way to new and exciting possibilities.
  • 20. “You cannot change the inevitable, but you can choose whether or not to accept it.” — The truth is that we cannot control the outcome of any situation or circumstance. Therefore, we can only focus on our own actions.
  • 21. “What goes around comes around.” — Some people may perceive you negatively at times because they are jealous of you. But despite these feelings, remember that eventually you will pay this person back tenfold, as he or she will sooner or later be put through the same kind of treatment.
  • 22. “Try to see both sides of everything before judging.” — We all tend to form judgments about others when we lack sufficient information, especially when we are dealing with people who seem to have it all together.
  • 23. “It’s not always going to feel easy. Never quit until the job is done.” — Many people struggle with quitting bad habits. However, sometimes you should just bite the bullet and stop doing something. Do whatever you have to, in order to complete the task at hand.
  • 24. “Everything happens exactly as it was meant to happen…with Divine timing.” — Good or bad events can occur unexpectedly. Just make sure to trust in God and let go of fear. Everything will work out perfectly; don’t worry about what might happen.
  • 25. “Nothing in life is free. It costs something. Give value. It pays off big-time.” — A lot of times things come easily to us without putting forth any effort. But the harder we work, the more valuable we become to ourselves and others.
  • 26. “The worst pain is the inability to reach your potential. And it hurts so bad you’d do almost anything to escape it.” — We all want to live happy lives, but sometimes we get caught up in our own desires rather than looking beyond them.
  • 27. “We all know deep down inside, there’s nothing wrong with being alone. It’s part of living.” — Everyone needs space and privacy to recharge on their own terms. Don’t feel guilty for needing alone time. Be thankful instead for those moments where you truly find inner peace.
  • 28. “If you look for love in all the right places, it will find you. If you keep looking for love under all the right rocks, it will find you.” — When we meet other people, often the first thing on our mind is how much we like them.
  • 29. “Just because I’m alive doesn’t mean my spirit is alive!”— Sometimes we allow negative thoughts into our minds to create self-imposed negativity. Whenever you encounter difficult challenges, try to use positive self-talk to help yourself bounce back.
  • 30. “I am always changing. I cannot stay still or be idle. There is an eternal fire within me. Whether I succeed or fail does not matter. What matters is whether I lived well or badly!” — Change is constant and inevitable. How we deal with change is also important.
  • 31. “You must learn to laugh at yourself.” — Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we feel sad about certain things and then other times we feel joyful. No matter which mood we’re experiencing at any given moment, it won’t last forever. As long as we remain optimistic and grateful we’ll eventually return to feeling good.
  • 32. “What we are today is a result of our past. So the question is, what are we willing to give in order to move forward?” — Our memories shape our personalities. The way we think affects how we act. Therefore, if we’ve been mistreated by someone in the past, this should teach us to be cautious when dealing with new people.
  • 33. “Our success depends only upon how wisely we employ our resources. Not how many of them we have.” — Success comes from using opportunities effectively. Many people neglect their abilities due to complacency, laziness, or fear. They simply wait for events to happen before they take action.
  • 34. Life has too many obstacles to overcome just to survive.” — To stay healthy, we need to work out regularly, eat properly, sleep enough, and avoid stress. Life is filled with difficulties, such as health problems, financial issues, family conflicts, etc. These things are unavoidable.
  • 35. “No matter what happens, I never regret doing something I wanted to do.” — Never let life decisions become a burden on your shoulders. Instead, choose to embrace every opportunity that comes along. Even though some things may not go according to plan, chances are you got more value out of doing it anyway.
  • 36. It’s not easy to walk through life alone. But I believe one can live without regrets.” — Being lonely is no fun. However, it can sometimes be beneficial to experience loneliness in order to appreciate companionship. Loneliness can motivate many people to seek friendship and social interaction.
  • 37. “Sometimes being free means having nothing to hold onto.” — We’re constantly faced with choices between different options. Some of these require hard work, while others rely on luck. Regardless of which option we choose, we always have a choice.
  • 38. “Every morning when I wake up, I get to decide where my heart will be.” — Every day holds great potential to achieve happiness and fulfillment. You don’t need to wait until things turn out perfectly; instead, aim to enjoy whatever occurs during the journey.
  • 39. “I’m often happier than those who are less fortunate because I see the beauty in everything around me.” — If we focus on the positives in life, we can find joy even in challenging situations. It doesn’t mean we need to ignore negative aspects, but rather, look for ways to make ourselves better.
  • 40. “If we want to change the world then we must first change ourselves.”— There’s always room for improvement. For example, we might struggle daily to maintain positive attitudes and proper values. If we fail to do so, we risk harming ourselves and others.
  • 41. “When you stop moving towards your goals, you slow down, drift away, and eventually lose yourself.” — No matter how much we want to reach our dreams, at times we feel stuck. This usually happens because we put too much pressure on ourselves to succeed.
  • 42. “We shouldn’t compare ourselves to other people. Our purpose is to become better than we were yesterday.” — Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else because nobody else is perfect. Focus on becoming more than you already are. If you’ve made mistakes, learn from them.
  • 43. There are moments in life when you realize how important someone truly was to you. They can help you remember why you chose them as friends in the first place.” — Some friendships are meant to last forever. When this happens, it proves just how special they really are.
  • 44. “As long as you are breathing, you have time to be happy. The only thing we all have limited amount of is time.” — A lot of times, we think we lack time. However, if we could control time, we’d probably discover it’s the most precious resource in the universe.
  • 45. The power of positive thinking creates miracles.” — Most likely you’ve heard countless times about how powerful thoughts and beliefs are. Yet, few people actually take charge of their emotions. To change the way we act, simply change how we think. Start focusing on the good side of events and problems. Then, see what positive results come to pass.
  • 46. ‘People aren’t necessarily ready when you are.’ — Many of us want to make changes in our lives, but we don’t know when or how. Sometimes we’re left wondering whether we should take action or sit back and relax. Ultimately, we must assess our situation, weigh our options, and determine our best course of action.
  • 47. Never let fear stand between you and the goal you want to achieve.” — Fear can paralyze us by making us avoid certain activities or places. While that may seem beneficial at first, it ultimately causes a lot of damage. So, conquer your fears and keep going forward.
  • 48. “Be careful with whom you trust. People will try to manipulate you into believing things about yourself. Watch out for red flags.” — We sometimes get the wrong impression about another person without realizing it. In fact, some people try to convince others that they’re different from how they appear.
  • 49. “It’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey.” — Your path to happiness isn’t a straight line. In fact, it probably won’t be easy at times. What counts are the lessons forward.
  • 50. “Trust your instincts: when something feels right, it means there’s a reason for it.” — Trusting our intuition helps us to identify patterns in situations. After all, feelings are often accurate indicators of what we need to do next.
  • 51. All love comes and goes, yet true love never dies; it only grows over time.” — Love is one of those rare natural phenomena that seems impossible to find. But once we experience it, it becomes indelible. Always cherish your loved ones because they will always mean so much to you.
  • 52. You will have bad days just like everyone else does. Never forget that there’s no shame in asking for help.” — Life throws plenty of challenges at us. And while many are able to overcome these obstacles, others struggle daily. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance whenever necessary.
  • 53. “I’ve learned that being myself is more important than being liked.” — It doesn’t hurt to feel a little awkward every now and then. Trying new things takes courage. Besides, confidence eventually follows.
  • 54. “Don’t wait until everything is perfect before deciding to live.” — It sounds cliché, but a little imperfection can add charm to any object. Plus, it’ll help us appreciate it when everything around us is perfect.
  • 55. “It’s okay to show your emotions as long as you don’t vent them all at once!” — When we’re sad, angry, or happy, we all tend to release this emotion through tears, words, or actions.
  • 56. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my kids.” — Mothers go above and beyond for their children. They sacrifice themselves in order to give them whatever they need. Even if that means putting their own needs aside.
  • 57. “Life is short and tomorrow is a mystery. Stop worrying about yesterday.” — There’s no use regretting anything that happened in life—especially when you could have done something otherwise. Look ahead instead of looking behind.
  • 58. Sometimes you have to suffer in silence or fight for respect.” — Sometimes we keep quiet simply because we don’t want to draw attention on ourselves. However, speaking up may benefit both parties involved.
  • 59. “Love yourself first before loving anyone else.” — Loving yourself makes you happier. You feel better about yourself, which improves your ability to connect with other people.
  • 60. Nothing tastes as good as feeling needed.” — We all feel more complete when someone wants us around. Unfortunately, we can’t fulfill others’ expectations all the time. So why should it be any different with friends?
  • 61. “When you think back to past events in your life, remember that what happens today will make you stronger tomorrow.” — What you accomplish in one day may seem insignificant, but you’ll realize how valuable it was by reflecting on the entire journey.
  • 62. “Everything in nature has a spirit! Take time to observe and enjoy its beauty.” — Nature has inspired mankind since ancient times. From rainbows to leaves, everything has a special meaning that shouldn’t be ignored.
  • 63. Sometimes you have choices between right and wrong, but you should always choose happiness.” — It’s easy to look at the world through rose-colored glasses. Our perception of reality changes based on our feelings toward certain situations.
  • 64. Every problem has a solution—it just depends on where you start searching for answers.” — Everything has a positive side: No matter what type of situation you’re going through, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
  • 65. “You are not crazy! Your life does NOT suck.” — A depressed person sees problems everywhere. And when she thinks about her problems, she feels like she’s the only one who suffers. But things aren’t so bad after all; many people deal with similar issues.
  • 66. “Just know the power in your mind over your attitude.” — As hard as it can sometimes be, we must learn to accept things without complaining. Instead of dwelling on negatives, focus on what you still have left.
  • 67. “In difficult times, the most important thing is to stay strong. Always remember: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” — When dealing with hardship, strength comes from within. Don’t let negative emotions get you down.
  • 68. “Your health isn’t defined by what you weigh or eat—but by how much joy you find living each day.” — Health doesn’t come from what you eat, but how well you live. Enjoy every aspect of life because that might be your last time doing so.
  • 69. Always try to see the best in people; they usually deserve it anyway!” — Negative attitudes ruin positive relationships. Try to focus on the positives in everyone, especially when they’ve hurt you in the past.
  • 70. “If you believe something enough, it becomes true.” — If you want to change a habit, practice mindfulness. You need to become aware of your thoughts and emotions. This way, you can recognize your unhealthy beliefs and consciously replace them with new ones.
  • 71. “Sometimes people say mean things to improve their egos; I think that’s stupid. Life’s too short to get upset over trivialities. Just laugh off what people say to you—you don’t lose anything by ignoring them.” — Sometimes people are jealous of what you have instead of being genuinely interested in helping you.
  • 72. “It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in.” — Courageous individuals refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice. They don’t care whether others agree or disagree with them, and they stand firm on their convictions.
  • 73. “Do not wait until everything is just perfect before you decide to live happily. If you do, you will never begin to live. Begin now.” — Happiness cannot be forced upon someone. Be happy now—enjoy yourself while you still have the opportunity. Once you reach a point where nothing good happens, you’ll lose perspective on all the good moments that came before.
  • 74. The secret to happiness lies in giving away more than you receive.” — Happiness gives, whereas misery takes. The latter needs help, but the former creates its own space. Give to make someone else happy; this is a win–win scenario.
  • 75. “Nothing worthwhile ever goes unnoticed.” — Whenever you notice something special, take note of it and tell someone. It’s amazing what small achievements can add up to big results.
  • 76. “Life is full of choices, but none better than accepting the one right in front of us.” — There are always two ways of looking at any given situation—one that looks great and one that looks terrible. Pick the first option and use it to guide your actions throughout the rest of your life.
  • 77. “Be careful who you trust with money, for they may betray you someday.” — Make sure you only entrust your finances to trustworthy professionals like accountants, lawyers, etc., so they can protect your wealth.
  • 78. “Never underestimate your ability to succeed, no matter how many hurdles you encounter along the way. Even when you feel defeated, there will be another chance ahead. Keep moving forward, and eventually you will triumph.” — No matter how discouraging life gets, keep going forward! Obstacles won’t stop you unless you give in to fear.
  • 79. “There is no such thing as failure, because every time you fail, you learn and gain experience.” — When you fail, don’t dwell on it—analyze why it happened and use that knowledge to grow stronger in the future.
  • 80. “When you come across an obstacle, look for a new path around it.” — Don’t spend time trying to figure out how to get rid of obstacles—create opportunities to avoid problems altogether.
  • 81. “Happiness is about having the strength to let go of what doesn’t work in exchange for what works in your favor.” – Nothing stays forever. Accept this fact and move on with your life. Reap the rewards of your positive decisions today rather than waiting until later to reap the benefits.
  • 82. “Just because you can’t see the end from here, doesn’t mean you have to travel alone!”- You should try to stay optimistic and keep pursuing your dreams. No matter how difficult the road seems, there are always things you haven’t tried yet.
  • 83. I am responsible for my successes, and others are responsible for theirs.” – People tend to blame external factors such as luck, timing, and other people for their failures and weaknesses, but the truth is that they also bear some responsibility for their achievements and victories.
  • 84. “You are the sum total of your past experiences.” — Your personality reflects the events of your personal history: if you’ve had bad experiences, then you’ll probably be negative.
  • 85. “Whatever you believe about yourself is true.” — Whether or not you think you deserve love, respect, and appreciation from others is irrelevant if you hold these beliefs about yourself. Instead, focus on believing that you deserve whatever you want in life.
  • 86. “It’s never too late to change; it’s just too soon.” – Don’t throw away all hope when reality clashes with your expectations. Stay open minded and continue to work towards achieving your goals. Remember, you still have plenty of time left to fulfill your potential.
  • 87. We must recognize our mistakes before we learn anything else.” — If you expect to make changes in your life, you need to accept the fact that sometimes the past may repeat itself. Take advantage of your mistakes and know what you learned by making them.
  • 88. Every day brings new adventures, filled with surprises and fun!” – Every day provides an exciting opportunity to explore new places or pursue a hobby you’ve always wanted to do. And remember to smile! The world won’t fall apart if you grin more often. The brighter you shine, the happier everyone will be.
  • 89. “Don’t worry about tomorrow; it has already been decided.” – Stop procrastinating and take action right now instead of wasting valuable time worrying about details that aren’t relevant to the situation at hand.
  • 90. It takes years of hard work to build something worthwhile. It only falls apart when the builder lets go.” – While building a business isn’t easy, it requires commitment and determination. So don’t give up so easily!
  • 91. “What goes around comes around.” – Sometimes good things fall into our laps without us even trying. Just like everything else in the universe, karma plays out over cosmic cycles. So try to remain positive and enjoy the good stuff while you can.
  • 92. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – When people hit rough patches, they often feel defeated and trapped, especially if they’ve invested much effort in reaching a particular goal. But if you stay perseverant and keep pushing forward, then eventually success will come knocking at your door.
  • 93. “Happiness does not depend upon outward conditions; it depends solely upon inward disposition.” – True happiness stems from within, not from any external influences. You shouldn’t let the circumstances of daily life determine how joyful you are.
  • 94. “There’s no point in being upset because there’s nothing one can really do about it anyway. This is the way of nature, after all.” — Accepting the inevitable is far better than letting negativity dominate your moods and thoughts. Remain optimistic by focusing on solutions rather than problems.
  • 95. “A strong mind sees farther than a weak mind grasps.” – A strong, confident person doesn’t let their fears stop them from living their dreams. Even though difficult times might arise during this process, try to stay focused on what they mean to you personally and why you are passionate about achieving your goals.
  • 96. “Successful people fail as often as anyone else, but are willing to admit failure in order to avoid repeating the mistake.” – Many successful people will fail miserably along the journey towards success if they refuse to accept feedback and criticism when they encounter them.
  • 97. “We should live every day as if it is your last.” – Do this! Your last chance to make a change for yourself, and your family, and the planet.
  • 98. “Remember: You must live today as you would want to die tomorrow. There is no other way to accomplish anything worthwhile.” – Life is short…so have fun while you can! Live each moment to its fullest and appreciate all the opportunities you have before you.
  • 99. “Life is too important to waste time hating others or yourself.” – We need to forgive ourselves and everyone else for past mistakes in order to move on with our lives.
  • 100. Everyday is a new beginning.” – The same rules apply whether you’re starting off fresh for a brand-new day or simply looking back on an old chapter in your life. Every single day brings with it the opportunity for something special–and you can begin again whenever you want.

Conclusion

I hope that these positive affirmations and words of encouragement have helped you to cope with any intense emotions or mental health problems that you may have on a daily basis.

Your healing journey is yours and yours only, so embrace it. You deserve a healthy relationship with yourself and others.

Best of luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Felix Prasetyo is the founder and publisher at Lifengoal, covering relationships, social skills, and personal growth. Felix holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, and has also contributed to other media publications such as Addicted2Success.com and YogiApproved.

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