If you’re feeling a little down today, it’s not just you. In fact, today, January 15th, has been called Blue Monday and is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year. Why you ask? The holidays are over, credit card bills are rolling in, there’s no sign of winter being over, the days are short, and there aren’t many holidays coming up. It’s no wonder many of us feel struck by the Monday blues.
While today may be a particularly rough Monday, the reality is that Mondays can be challenging year round. Many of us feel we’re living for the weekend, focused on just getting through a rough work week. Or maybe we’re dreading the weekly routine and all the to dos that come with it.
No matter why you have them, today’s post shares some simple truths to help you conquer the Monday blues. These are facts and inspiration that can question a negative mindset and give you a positive push in the right direction.
Truth #1: You’ve struggled in the past and have gotten back up. You’re still here.
As Vince Lombardi said:
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
Despite our best intentions, we’ve all experienced struggles, challenges, failures, and disappointments. Things haven’t always gone our way. We’ve felt helpless, desperate, and lost.
But the reality is, we’ve gotten back up. We’ve put one foot in front of the other and moved forward. And we’re here, with the battle scars to prove it.
The beauty in this truth is that it reminds us of our positive track record. We’ve overcome life’s challenges. We’ve emerged on the other side.
And with that in mind, what makes you think you won’t overcome the challenges you’re currently facing?
Truth #2: Your challenges and failures only make you stronger.
I love this quote:
“You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character.” – Unknown
Building on the first truth, overcoming challenges makes us stronger. Failures, disappointments, and setbacks are what teach us. They teach us what works and what doesn’t. They remind us what matters. And they give us valuable insight into how we can be successful the next time. (In fact, my entrepreneurial story shares my experience with failure and I also have a post on navigating challenges as an entrepreneur.)
Failure is a part of life. And while we can choose to see it as a negative force and dismiss it, we can instead choose to learn from it.
If you’re going through challenges, know that they are making you stronger and shaping you into someone who can more easily weather what life brings.
Truth #3: The only thing standing in your way is you.
This quote by Og Mandino sums it up perfectly:
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”- Og Mandino
And this quote from Brian Tracy is also powerful:
“There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.” – Brian Tracy
In other words, our belief in ourselves and our dreams is incredibly powerful. If we have a strong will to succeed and an unwavering determination to make our goals happen, failure can be as small as a blip on the radar.
It can be easy to overlook the importance of a positive mindset and sense of determination. But those are some of your greatest assets.
The best part? You control them! Your outlook and perspective is completely in your control. Make each a positive one.
Truth #4: It always seems impossible until it’s done.
In the words of Robert H. Schuller:
“Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.” – Robert H. Schuller
Reflect on your life: what things did you think would be impossible that ultimately happened? Did you worry you’d never meet the right guy, but then found your soulmate? Did you think you’d never get that job, that promotion, or that salary, but then achieve them? Or did you think you’d never be able to run that half marathon, beat that record, or lose that weight, only to meet your goals?
Chances are, there are things you’ve accomplished that you never thought possible. So what’s to stop you from creating more miraculous realities in your life?
Truth #5: It’s never to late to dream big.
One of my favourite quotes is from C.S. Lewis:
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”- C.S. Lewis
And you may have seen this post circulating around Facebook:
No matter how old you are, at what stage of life you’re in, it’s never too late to pursue your passion and chase your goals.
Yes, it may feel daunting. Yes, it may seem impossible. But it’s never too late to take that first step and give yourself your very best shot.
Truth #5: Don’t give up.
This quote from Harriet Beecher Stow shares some powerful wisdom:
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stow
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone in the world, it would be to believe in themself and not give up. Keep pushing forward and moving in the right direction, one day at a time.
What I love about this quote in particular, is the hope it brings. “….for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn” is incredibly inspiring. What could be waiting just around the corner? What success is just waiting for us to discover it?
In Closing
Mondays can be rough, but with a little inspiration, we can give ourselves a mindset makeover.
Looking for more? My post 5 Follow Your Passion Quotes That Will Inspire You is a great read!
How do you feel? Do any of those truths or quotes resonate with you? I’d love to know – please leave a comment and let us know!
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