Best Mantras To Keep You Hanging On When Things Are Shit

You can't polish a turd... but you can sprinkle glitter on it.
Deep, eh?

Loving some of the more profound mantras here.

Worse things happen at sea
Life isn't fair
If you didn't laugh, you'd cry
This won't buy the baby new shoes (ie, being miserable about whatever it is)
It's being so cheerful as keeps me going

All from my Nan & my Mum and agree with you Pacific, they may be trite truisms, but actually, they help.

Also, the punk song Big A Little A (Crass originally, but I prefer the version by Jeffrey Lewis) & the verse

"Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're the only you
No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
It's up to you to change your life and my life's up to me
The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make
The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take
If you don't like the life you live, change it now it's yours
Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause
If the programme's not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get
If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist
If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist
But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple
And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten
Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people
You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again
If you don't like the rules they make, refuse to play their game
If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name
If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question
Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection
They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face
If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're they only you "

It is better to regret something you have done than something you haven't.

Oft-repeated in my head during my black, self-flagellating periods.

I totally get that colouring queen.

I've often said you have to appreciate bad to know what good is when it comes.

We went through a difficult time a few years back but I'd bet my life we are happier for it.

Lovely thread OP, you are a fab friend. Best wishes to everyone on this thread that needs these now.

My brother recently told me the "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time" and it has definitely helped over an awful month.

Plus the "just keep swimming"!

One new thing from The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran) I find comforting:

"The deeper that sorrow carves into you, the more joy you can contain"

This thread has made me think about the Orange advert for some reason. I am who I am because of everyone.
It used to make me go all goosebumpy.

Don't borrow trouble, the interest rates are too high.

Op you sound like a lovely friend.

A MN one we use in our house to mean 'it could be worse'
Won't somebody think of the children?!

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

Obviously meaning. When life gives you something bitter turn it into something sweet.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade.

I'm probably misquoting dreadfully, but these work for me as I remember them, so I'm not going to google ...

"Every time you try and fail, you fail better"
"Stay away from the open windows" (that's from a John Irving book I think - meaning there are many good reasons to jump out of one, so don't go there)

If it was easy, they'd all be doing it

'Simply endure, and hold out' (dietrich bonhoeffer) is mine.

she had a gallbladder op and there's an iconic photo of her showing off the scar.
I'm pretty sure she said it. or re-quoted it.
will google.

great line whoever said it

Be proud of your scars.
They are a reminder that you were stronger thsn whatever life threw at you.

(I think Marilyn Monroe said that)

My sister swears by screaming I AM A DIVA as loud as possible. She made me do it in the middle of town on a night out when I was a little drunk and feeling sorry for myself. I ended up collapsing into hysterical giggles so it did work

That is a good one chicken - I also think that when times are good to remind myself that I need to enjoy myself as you never know when it'll change.

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Attributed to Mother Theresa but disputed.

"One day this will make a great story"

"Sometimes the learning curve is a touch on the steep side"

My Mums favourite saying -
'Nothing lasts forever'
It's very simple,but I do find myself thinking if it when things are shit!