6 gentle reminders for you on your hardest days

We’ve all felt tired, alone, and burnt-out, struggling to keep ourselves together on rough days. If you’re having one of those days, you’re in good company.

If nothing seems to help on those hard days, know that while your problems may not disappear overnight, sometimes reading encouraging words helps you make it to the next day. Here are six reminders to hold close on your worst days:

1. You are enough. 

Other people’s ideas of what “good enough” or “productive enough” means don’t matter. Simply surviving is enough, and you are enough, no matter what. If anyone disagrees, well, they need to touch grass.

2. You deserve to unwind.

The next time you tell yourself that you haven’t worked hard enough to relax, remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and you deserve a break.

You spend so much time on others, but don’t neglect your own needs. Do your favorite self-care activity, and push away any guilt you may feel. Taking that time for yourself matters.

Anything that you didn’t accomplish today isn’t today’s problem. Take a break — the world can wait.

3. You are valued, appreciated, and loved.

If no one has told you how valuable you are recently — or at all — then take it from me: There are people who value, love, and appreciate you.

They notice how hard you work and how you always go above and beyond, but they also know that you don’t have to give everything your all constantly. You’re valuable just as you are. If all you managed to do today was get up, I’m proud of you because I know how difficult that can be. I love you, and so do many others.

4. You don’t owe anyone anything. 

You spend so much time making others happy that it drains you, but life doesn’t have to be that way. It’s your right to protect your energy, time, and welfare. You don’t need to be a 24-hour sign personified. Allow yourself to set boundaries, and you may feel lighter. After all, you’re allowed to be closed for maintenance, closed for business, or just closed.

5. You will survive today. 

So far, you have a 100 percent survival rate. You’ve made it through so many difficult times and have found happier days on the other side. And not only did you survive those difficult times, but you’re also still going.

You deserve to thrive, but know that if all you can do right now is survive, that’s OK. You’re just as worthy as everyone else.

6. Stop comparing yourself to others. 

Those glamorous posts in your feed only represent glimpses of others’ lives. Some of the most “enviable” people face invisible stress from constantly competing for recognition. You have the gift of being able to live in the moment and disconnect from those who make you feel bad about yourself. Don’t compare your everyday life to someone else’s highlight reel.

The next time you have one of those days when you feel like you’re drowning, repeat these reminders. Believe that you are enough just as you are and that there are people in this world who love and care about you. Remind yourself that you deserve your own care, no matter what others say. No matter what you’re going through, you’ll be OK, and with the help of these little reminders, you’ll reach the other side. I promise.