Sometimes the best way to tackle a problem is to approach it from a different direction. Perspective changes can help you achieve this, and oftentimes, they can also feel liberating.
Healthy perspective changes can even be enough to turn your whole week around!
Try the following perspective changes to give you hope, refresh your optimism, and re-energize your drive to keep going!
Graphic via Pinterest.com
You’ve got this. And even when you don’t believe in yourself, I believe in YOU 1000%.
Check out these perspectives, and feel free to make one a daily mantra if you like!
1. Don’t compliment a fish for swimming.
Photo of fish swimming via David Clode on Unsplash.com
We don’t compliment a fish for swimming, so we shouldn’t compliment or praise someone for basic decency. You DESERVE to be treated with basic respect by everyone.
Sometimes with mental illnesses, we will only accept the love we think we deserve. And we will allow people, often toxic people, to treat us poorly.
You deserve to always be treated with basic respect. So remember, don’t compliment a fish for swimming.
2. Just like in driving, sometimes the best thing you can do is to lean into the curve.
Photo of yellow racecar via Kenny Leys on Unsplash.com
In driving school, they teach you that when approaching a curve, the best way to not lose control on the turn is to lean INTO the curve.
Whenever I am facing a problem, I remind myself to lean into the curve. Embrace it, face it head-on, and when you do that… it doesn’t seem so scary anymore. You are able to then work with the problem, and sometimes even make the problem work for you.
You are more talented than you don’t think. Lean into the curve, and I promise you, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
3. Not everything happens for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from everything that happens.
Brene Brown quote via Pinterest.com
I personally HATE when people tell me that everything happens for a reason. I don’t really care about the reasons, terrible events are terrible events.
Your pain is valid. Your feelings deserve to be felt. And it’s not fair at all that you had to go through all the hell you went through. Or maybe are even going through right now.
Not everything happens for a reason. But when you find something to learn about what happened, either about the world, people, or yourself, you can turn a negative into at least less of a negative.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Even if you fall on your face, you are still moving forward.” – Victor Kiam
4. Don’t take criticism from anyone you wouldn’t go to for advice.
Confidence quote graphic via Pinterest.com
This one took me a while to learn, but it is so crucial. I’d be beating myself up for what other people thought of me, and it would result in this tornado of self-loathing thoughts in my mind.
The thing is though, the people whose opinions and criticism I was obsessing over, I would never go to for advice. And if you wouldn’t go to someone for advice, why would you listen to their criticism? Their criticism is, after all, basically just angry and mean advice.
Reminding yourself to not take criticism from anyone you wouldn’t go to for advice is a super useful tool for nipping shame spirals in the bud.
5. Instead of thinking of medication as something you take when you are sick, think of it/them as a daily vitamin(s) to support daily function.
It’s okay if you need meds every day graphic by ATSO
A nurse told me this at a psychiatric hospital once and completely changed my life forever.
I used to absolutely hate taking my medicine (antidepressants, anxiety meds, etc.) because it just reminded me how sick I was. That I was mentally ill. So when I would begin to feel better, I would stop taking my meds because I wanted to believe I was better. But once off the meds, my mental illnesses would overcome me, and I’d be a danger to myself again.
The nurse reminded me that we don’t shame people for taking vitamins, such as iron pills because it’s a good thing to take care of yourself and support your daily function.
Now I call my medicine my vitamins, or ‘happy pills’, and I’m proud to say I’ve hardly missed a dose since!
6. Just because they don’t apologize, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to hear an, “I’m sorry”.
Graphic by @heartsofgrowth via Pinterest.com
A lot of people have trouble apologizing. Some people never apologize at all. They’re embarrassed by what they’ve done, or they don’t care, or they may have forgotten.
Whatever their reason, you still deserved to hear an, “I’m sorry”. But life is messy. And some people deal with their own pent up frustrations by taking it out on others. It’s not fair, you never deserved to be hurt, and your feelings are completely valid.
Even though you may never hear that, “I’m sorry,” from the person(s) you need to hear it from, you deserve to hear it. And I hope that knowing this can at least provide some comfort.
7. Your mental illnesses can feel so strong because you yourself are so strong… but the real secret is that you are even stronger.
Graphic of, “You are so strong, dude,” via positiveautistic.tumblr.com
This one took me an especially long time to realize, but it is flattering and oddly comforting to know that your mental illnesses are only so strong because they draw their strength from you.
Your anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses may try to act like the boss, but you are the real star. And don’t you forget it.
8. You are always more loved than you will ever know.
Graphic of phrase, “Always remember, you are loved” via Society6
Every single person I have ever met and gotten to know, and I mean EVERY single person, is more loved than they will ever know. This honestly even applies to narcissists and mean people. I keep waiting to be proven wrong, but it’s been true for everyone. I’m impressed by the consistency.
You will never truly know how many people are cheering you on from afar. Rooting for you to succeed. Hoping for your happiness.
You are not alone, and you are always more loved than you will ever know.
9. Some people just wake up wanting to be mad. Sometimes, it really has nothing to do with you.
Graphic of the quote via Pinterest
Sometimes people will take their anger and frustrations out on you because they can’t actually take it out on the person they are really mad at. Maybe it is someone in their home, or their boss, or a supposed loved one who is actually the root of their anger.
Whatever the reason, some people just wake up angry. They wake up wanting to be mad. So if you bump into someone who is being extra rude, try not to take it personally.
It most likely has everything to do with them and their own problems, and nothing to do with you.
10. The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to be a good human. It’s okay to mess up.
Graphic of Albert Einstein quote via Pinterest.com
We are all human, and being human means being a bit of a mess. But you are a beautiful mess!
We all make mistakes, and we all mess up sometimes. But that’s okay. Be the best you can be, and that will be more than enough.
In my opinion as a recovering perfectionist, perfection is completely overrated anyway. Mistakes make us human, and they help us grow into who we are supposed to be.
I hope you have enjoyed these 10 perspective changes, and let me know which one is your favorite!
Rooting for you today and always. Let me know which perspective changes are your favorite!
Always yours,
Sara, ATSO
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