To ask what small things that help you stay positive?

[Ankleblisters]

When everything is really hard or totally unbearable or it feels like there is no longer any joy or pleasure in anything and never will be again... what are the small things that help you bear it? What helps you stay positive and keep going?

Haha yep 👍🏼

The warmth of a cup of tea.
How the light forms into shadows.
The sound of the rain on the roof.
All the little noises of family life that make up “right now”.

Thank you OP - I thought I was having a shitty Friday night, but you made me realise how transitory that mood is, and how much I have in my life right now.

I hope you are doing OK, and can find similar happiness

First coffee of the day
A new lipstick
A walk in the country
Cuddles with my dog
Having a body that doesn't have pain or incurable illness
Bunch of daffs
The sound of the rain on my windows when I'm warm in bed
A pair of new socks

Cake and my lovely DH

Walking my dogs - and usually my cats too - through the woods in which we live. They make me laugh and smile the whole time.

A new Stephen King novel, sadly only once (or occasionally twice) a year, which I read in one spellbound sitting.

And I do like Frazzles.

My son
The snow drops and crocuses in my garden
Garden birds
Friends popping in for a coffee
Parkrun

Late night walks listening to a funny podcast.
Small things booked in to look forward to.
Book half a day off work and tell no one (and then I go to the spa!).
A new book.
Comfort telly, shit I’ve watched a hundred times before that requires no concentration.
A walk along the seafront.

I’ve been struggling a bit recently and I can’t quite put my finger on any identifiable cause and I’ve been leaning on lots of these recently. I think you can also accept that you don’t have to feel positive all the time. Let yourself feel a bit overwhelmed/sad/crap but be careful not to isolate yourself too much. I realise I’ve been spending a lot of time on my own recently and I have a family here that I think I am subconsciously shutting myself away from so I make sure I am present for them as much as i can be too.

If only there was a like emoji/button on mumsnet. Exercise and a good chat with my closest friend would be up there for me in what makes me feel the best

I love this. For years, I used to keep a positives journal and try to write down three things that were good about each day. On the worst days it might even be something like "I handled this badly but I recognise that and recognising it is an important step. I can see how I would handle it better next time". It is such an effective strategy and so helpful when you are struggling.

I started writing it again last night after reading this and it might things feel instantly a little less bleak. Thank you so much for the reminder. I hope your daughter is doing well💐

I'll put this in my positives log for today! 💐

@OddshoesOddsocks , lovely idea thank you, will be making that a tea time feature from now on 💛

things all around you... the flowers in the park, the sun in the sky, even the dark clouds in the sky and how they can look beautiful, the beauty of the green trees, the breeze on your face as you take a walk, the serenity of a walk, the thrill of walking somewhere with an amazing view, the amazing view, the dog walking in the street that has a happy waggy tail when you stroke him, the taste of morning coffee, the taste of fresh bread, etc.etc..

find happiness in small things because they are all around. It's no good thinking it has to be something big to make you happy because you might not get that, if your happiness comes from things around you it'll start to make you feel better.