How to Stay on Top When You're Feeling Down

Down days are the worst days. They're always a real struggle, and sometimes you just can't avoid them no matter what you do. My down days are sometimes caused by other stresses in my life, and sometimes they're not. There are times when they just come up out of nowhere, and it's hard to stay focused and motivated when the depression monster is in your head again.

Despite my best efforts, some down days can't be defeated. It may be your body and mind telling you to take a break for a day. But when you just can't slow down, here are some ways that I stay motivated when I'm feeling down.

Make lists.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love to make lists. I even got into bullet journalling just so I could organize my time and the things that I need to get done. There is something so incredibly satisfying about going into my journal and checking off a task. It's the small things in life.

Your lists can even include the small stuff, as ridiculous as the tasks may seem. On some days, it's hard to just get out of bed. I have no shame in admitting that I've had to remind myself to take a shower or do the dishes in my journal. But when I've completed these things, I feel so much more accomplished than I would if I stayed in bed all day.

Actively look for inspiration.

When you can't find the energy or motivation in yourself, look for it outside of yourself. During one of my hospital stays, I found a huge book that had hundreds of quotations in it. Sometimes I would just sift through it and write down any quotes that spoke to me. I didn't do anything with these quotes, and I barely go back and read through them, but writing them down helped me to process and helped inspire me to get better.

I got this idea from a friend. She said that when she was down, she surrounded herself with inspirational material, so much that she couldn't escape it. It may all seem cliché, but something is bound to grab your attention and make you want to accomplish something.

Get outside.

You've heard everyone say it, but it's true! Getting outside, even for just 10 minutes, can make a lot of difference. Even if there's no sun, fresh air, and some exercise can bring your mood up just enough that you feel ready to face the day. And I'm not saying you have to go on a complex nature hike, but a walk down the street and back to your house, or a trip to the grocery store, can be enough to keep you from getting cabin fever.

Small things are still good things.

If I feel really down and feel like I can't accomplish anything, I like to start small. Any success is still a success. Tackle your day one task at a time, one step at a time, and start small. If you're feeling depressed, I don't suggest jumping right into trying to write a book. Start with taking care of yourself, take care of your surroundings, and then go towards your goals. Once you've got the basics, it should be easier to do more things as the day goes on.

Even if you just complete one task and spend the rest of the day watching your favourite TV show, that's enough of a task. You've completed something, congratulations!

When it all comes down to it, keeping busy is one of the biggest tricks you can use to get through those down days. If you can't stop the down days, try to do things that make you happy or make you feel better. The more you focus on other things, the less you'll think about how sad you are, and that in turn will cause you to feel content enough to get through the day.