10 Things to Tell Yourself When Going Through a Hard Time (Free Printable!)

Sometimes, when things get difficult we can make them even more challenging by making ourselves hard on ourselves.

It is easy to be negative about our feelings and feel depressed. Our feelings are minimized, thinking that we do not have the right to feel this way. And we hold ourselves to ridiculous standards, pushing ourselves to do more, keep up with everyone else, and respond to life’s stressors with perfect composure.

Or at least these are things I’ve done.

I know that life is messy and I’m only human, but sometimes I expect more from myself than I’d ever expect from someone I love, and demand more of myself than I can reasonably give. Then I end up feeling bad about how I’m coping while feeling bad, which makes it awfully hard to feel (and do) better.

If you’re dealing with a lot right now and stressing yourself out with fears, worries, and expectations, I have a feeling you’ll appreciate these ten reminders. They’re all thoughts that help me validate myself, accept my present circumstances, and have faith that I’ll be okay no matter what’s coming.

If you’d like to print this list for daily reference, you can download a printable version here, along with a two-page worksheet to help you support yourself through whatever you’re currently facing. (You’ll also find two printables related to letting go of control, the first free resources I created as companions to my upcoming Inner Strength Journal.)

Ten Reminders for Daily Self-Reflection

1. You don’t have to feel guilty about feeling sad, bad, anxious, angry, or any other “negative” feeling. You’re not a “negative person.” You’re human.

2. No matter how bad it is for others, everyone has the right to their feelings. You are entitled to your pain, no matter how others feel.

3. You’re doing the best you can based on your life experiences, traumas, conditioning, beliefs, current challenges, and coping skills. As you learn new skills, you’ll cope better, but you may still struggle to apply what you’ve learned, and that’s okay. Nobody can be perfect in every situation.

4. You don’t have to push yourself to be productive. It’s okay to rest or do the bare minimum when you’re struggling. This isn’t being lazy; it’s being kind to yourself—and you deserve it.

5. You’re not “falling behind.” It’s possible that you’re exactly where you need to be to learn, grow, and heal, meaning someday you might look back and consider this chapter a crucial part of your life journey.

6. You don’t have to please or impress anyone else, including yourself. Sometimes it’s enough just to live and make it through the day.

7. You don’t need to have anything figured out right now. You just need to take it one day at a time, trusting that you’ll find answers and solutions if you keep moving forward.

8. You are not alone, and you don’t have to pretend or hide. There are people who care and want to help—and because they’ve struggled too, they understand and would never judge you.

9. You won’t feel this way forever. Just as you’ve survived dark times before, you’ll eventually get past this and maybe even feel proud of yourself for how you made it through.

10. You can’t predict the future. But you are able to deal with it and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

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These words of wisdom are meant to bring you joy, peace, and comfort. The companion worksheet and printable version can be found here.

Also, just a reminder: For a limited time, you can get a free 318-page eBook—Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Overcoming Hard Times—when you preorder Tiny Buddha’s Inner Strength Journal through one of the vendors listed here.

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This post (10 Things You Can Tell Yourself to Help You Get Through Hard Times) is a free printable! Tiny Buddha first published this post.