How Encouragement Helped Me Overcome Discouragement- And How It Can Help You Too
The mindset shift that lifted me.
The Power of Encouragement: How I Learned to Get Off the Roller Coaster
Let me tell you a story…
There was a time in my life when I felt like I was on a never-ending roller coaster of emotions. Up, down, up, down- every little thing either lifted me up or sent me crashing.
I have high standards, high values, and big expectations- not just for myself, but for the world around me. So, when things didn’t go my way, discouragement hit hard.
Like when I was waiting for a parking spot. You know the drill. You sit there, blinker on, waiting for the car to back out. Five minutes go by, and just as you’re ready to pull in and bam, somebody swoops in and takes it.
If you’ve ever been there, you know the rage. It’s almost comical how fast we go from I’m having a nice day to I am now reconsidering my life choices.
But that’s just one of the small ways life discourages us.
What about the big ones? The gut-punches? The ones that hurt?
Losing someone you love. Watching your dreams fall apart. Feeling like you’re stuck, unseen, or just plain tired of the fight.
I’ve been there. We all have. And I had to learn something the hard way- encouragement isn’t something that just happens. It’s something we create.
Encouragement: A Daily Practice
I stopped waiting for encouragement to magically show up. I started choosing it. And it changed everything.
Here’s how.
1. Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love
I realized the way I talked to myself was brutal. If a friend came to me discouraged, would I say, “Wow, you really screwed up. You should probably quit”? No. So why was I saying that to myself?
Encouragement starts inside. If you’re tearing yourself down, no amount of external praise will fix it.
2. Shift the Focus to Small Wins
Some days, the win is just getting up and showing up. If you wait for massive victories to feel encouraged, you’ll be discouraged most of the time.
I started celebrating small things. And guess what? They added up.
3. Laugh at the Madness
That parking spot thief? Instead of letting them ruin my mood, I started laughing about it. Why? Because frustration melts when you find the humor.
Try it. Next time something small gets under your skin, pause and think - this will be a funny story later.
4. Remember: You’ve Survived Worse
You’ve been through hard things. And you made it. Read that again.
Whatever is in front of you, it’s not the end of the story. You’ve got proof that you’re stronger than you think.
Encouraging Others: The Ripple Effect
Encouragement is contagious. The more you practice it, the more it spills over to others.
• Send a quick message. Thinking of you today and you are amazing! It takes 10 seconds, but it could change someone’s whole day.
• Give a real compliment. Not just a “nice shirt” but “I see how hard you’re working, and it’s inspiring.”
• Do one small act of kindness. Hold the door. Smile. Pay for someone’s coffee. Small things change atmospheres.
When we lift others up, we lift ourselves too. Encouragement isn’t a solo game- it spreads.
7 Quotes on Encouragement That Hit Different
Let’s take some wisdom from those who said it best.
1. “A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.” – Unknown
(Ever noticed how a kind word in a dark moment sticks with you forever?)
2. “Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.” – Dave Willis
(There’s no shortage of negativity. Be the light.)
3. “Sometimes, we just need someone to simply be there for us. Not to fix anything, but to let us know we are supported.” – Unknown
(Encouragement isn’t always about words. Presence is powerful.)
4. “Encouragement is like oxygen to the soul.” – John Maxwell
(When we don’t have it, we suffocate.) This is one of my favorites 💗
5. “It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we don’t care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman
(Encouragement isn’t about ego. It’s about impact.)
6. “Your words have the power to uplift or destroy. Choose wisely.” – Unknown
(You never know what battle someone is fighting. Speak life.)
7. “No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
(Encouragement costs nothing but means everything.)
Encouragement: The Science Behind It, Why It’s More Powerful Than You Think, and What’s Next? ⬇️
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