Giving up on life is easy when we hit rock bottom, but you can always get back up. It’s all a matter of changing your perspective and outlook.
We all go through hard times. Nobody is immune to the pitfalls of life. We’ve all been at the point sometimes where we felt like giving up on life.
The difference is that for the majority of us, we were able to pull ourselves out of that negative headspace. We picked ourselves back up and moved on with our lives.
Is it easy? No, not a chance. But it’s a necessary thing to do.
You can’t stay on the self-deprecating road forever because you won’t get anywhere on that path. As easy as it is to feel sorry for yourself and dwell on every negative thought you have, there comes a point where you need to tell yourself, screw this, and just get back up and try again.
No matter your reason for giving up on life, we promise that it’s not the end of you.
It might feel impossible to get out of this awful feeling right now, but you CAN get out of this. All it takes is reframing your mind and perspective. [Read: How to stop self-destructive behavior & change your life for good]
Why we all have to learn to deal with the hardships of life
If you never learn how to pick yourself back up and move on after a rough day, it’s nearly impossible to have a happy and successful life. When you feel like giving up on life and you have no idea how to fix that, life seems so much harder. But instead of giving up, we need to know how to deal with those times and rise back up again.
Learning how to see the light at the end of the tunnel even when everything is pitch black is a tool everyone needs. Life will always have its moments of hard and difficult times, but it’s how you get up that will define you.
Your mindset and perspective is everything when it comes to overcoming the hardship you come across. [Read: Are you feeling lost in life? Use these 6 lessons to fix your life]
Why can’t you give up on life?
Well, for starters, you will encounter several tough moments in life, and you can’t let those moments be the end of you or define you. As impossible as it feels to get through those moments, you can’t let yourself give up. These difficult moments will eventually pass, and all it takes is reframing your mind and perspective.
Instead of seeing your situation as a mountain you can’t climb, you can view it as an opportunity for growth and betterment. Every difficult situation that comes your way can be used as a stepping stone to becoming better.
So instead of giving up on life, really, all you need to do is to reframe your mind. Stop dwelling on destructive thoughts and instead, learn to see things in a more positive light. [Read: How to think positive and reprogram your mind to stay positive]
How to change your attitude when you feel like giving up on life
Life can be hard. Nobody can deny it. That being said, life is also really incredible and there’s so much to be grateful for. If you’re stuck in a rut and need a way out, these things can help you change your mindset.
These are small steps that can result in a domino effect and change your life forever. So pull yourself together and make the effort, because giving up on life is always a choice. And the power to fix it lies within you.
1. Write down what you’re grateful for
When it comes down to it, it’s easy to focus on everything we lack instead of everything we already have. Most of us only ever focus on the negatives. Take some time every night to write down at least five things you’re grateful for that day. This can help you see the brighter side of any bad day.
You can do this on a gratitude journal if you have one or even just an ordinary journal. Gratitude is the best way to set a positive intention for your day and your life. [Read: How to be more grateful and get rid of your sense of entitlement]
2. Start thinking more positively
We know it’s not as easy as it sounds, but hear us out. Every time you have a negative thought, replace it with two positive ones.
Doing this can help rewire your brain to think more positively and you’ll realize that even when you think about negative things, your brain will learn to automatically see the brighter side.
Our brains are naturally wired to dwell on the negative aspects, so this simple trick can help reprogram your mind in a more positive direction. For instance, instead of thinking about why things won’t work out, think about the possibility that they will. [Read: Are negative thoughts ruining your life? 20 signs and tops to cope and fix it]
3. Make a to-do list
Sometimes all you really need to do is stop and make a list of the things you need to do. Oftentimes, when people feel like giving up on life, they’re simply overwhelmed with all the things happening around them.
So creating a to-do list helps you feel less overwhelmed with your deadlines and tasks for the day. This also keeps you organized and lets you see which ones are more of a priority than the rest.
4. Talk to friends and family
Your support system is there for a reason. They love and care about you. Talk to someone close to you about how you feel, and it can help you feel better.
When you’re isolated, you’ll feel much worse than you already do. So while it’s easy to push those you love away when you’re dealing with something, try your best to refrain from doing so. Let yourself be surrounded by love and care in your life. [Read: How to open up to people – 15 reasons and tips to be vulnerable]
5. Get outside
Vitamin D is not just good for your body; it’s also great for your mind. Taking some time to spend outdoors with nature can help put things into perspective for you, and you’ll realize how insignificant your worries really are.
When you spend some time away from your home and take brisk walks or just surround yourself with nature, it can reduce some of the burdens in your mind and life.
It might sound absurd, but the energy you receive from nature works wonders when you feel like giving up on life. [Read: Positive vibes – 17 ways to welcome positive energy into your life]
6. Start exercising
We know you may not like hearing this one, but your body needs exercise. It’s a great stress reliever, and putting your body to work can help your mind relax. Moving your body releases endorphins and dopamine into your body, which are also known as happy hormones.
So move your body in a way that you enjoy and doesn’t feel like that much of a chore for you. Whether it’s swimming, running, or even dancing, just get physically active! [Read: How to get motivated to exercise – 30 inspirational tips to fix you up]
7. Get enough sleep
If you don’t get enough sleep, your brain isn’t fully recharging. When your brain can’t reboot like it’s supposed to, it goes into a downward spiral. You may not even want to give up on life at all; you’re just tired.
So if you feel like you’re having a crisis or going through a difficult situation, get a total of 7-8 hours of rest every night. Recharge, and you might feel renewed when you wake up.
8. Do something creative
Believe it or not, your brain craves creativity – even if you’re not generally an artsy person. In fact, it can be even better for you to get creative and slather some paint on a canvas if you never do things like that.
You don’t need to be the most creative person in the room to create something. You don’t even have to be good at it. You just have to enjoy it. Use your personal form of art to express everything you feel whenever you feel like giving up on life. [Read: Dating an artsy girl – 15 reasons why they’re the best]
9. Help someone in need
When you help someone in need through activities like volunteering or donating, it gives you a change of perspective. It switches your focus from yourself to them.
It’s a pure and selfless act that can help you incorporate a lot of gratitude into your life. Helping those in need helps to boost your mood and make you feel like you have a purpose, even when you feel like giving up on life. [Read: How to help someone up when they’re feeling down and depressed]
10. Practice smiling more
We know how silly it sounds, but it can actually help you feel better. Your mind is connected to your body. Not to mention, smiling and laughing also release endorphins and dopamine similar to working out! How amazing is that?
When you smile more – even if you’re not happy – it tricks your brain into thinking you are happy. So it’s essential you find more reasons to smile, even if it doesn’t necessarily make sense to others. Smile at that dog, at that funny cat video, or even at yourself! [Read: How to smile more often – 6 baby steps to change your life forever]
11. Practice meditation
Some say meditation is crazy, and others swear by it. Guess which of those two people are often the happiest? That’s right!
Those who meditate can reflect on the good things they have in life while also letting go of negative thoughts. Meditation also helps you have a sense of control while being self-aware of your emotions. So before you judge meditation, why not give it a try first? [Read: How to be present – The guide to find your zone of calm perfection]
12. Think of yourself less
People are selfish. Yes, you heard that right. We were created to be self-serving beings. However, if we’re too self-absorbed, we stop seeing the good things in our lives. We focus too much on what we don’t have.
Think of yourself less and of others more.
This is why volunteering and donating can make us feel good in a way we can never explain. You need to stop thinking of yourself all the time as you’ll always be seeking what you lack, and you’ll never be satisfied with anything. [Read: Selfish people – How to stop them and stop them from hurting you]
13. Stay busy with entertaining things
Don’t just stay busy for the sake of doing busy things. Make sure you’re doing productive things that can help you stay focused on the positive outcome. Do something that can help move you forward in life.
Make sure that you’re burying yourself into activities that give you a sense of purpose and direction, and you’re not just filling time. Have an intention for your tasks and activities.
14. Focus on building your relationships
We all slack with keeping up with our friendships and building a stronger bond with our family. Every kind of relationship needs nurturing, so don’t forget to pay attention to them.
If you feel like giving up on life, don’t forget to prioritize your family and friends. These are the people that matter the most and know you well. So while it’s essential to keep meeting new people, don’t neglect your inner circle in the process. [Read: How to build trust in a relationship & learn to be loyal and loving]
15. Treat yourself occasionally
It’s okay to indulge in something you enjoy every once in a while. There’s no need to hold yourself back from all the guilty pleasures life has to offer. Get your nails done, buy those concert tickets, and enjoy the life you have.
You’re not selfish for spoiling yourself once in a while, you know? It’s exactly what you need whenever you’re on the brink of giving up on life. [Read: How to love yourself – The 23 best ways to find self-love & happiness]
16. Realize your self-worth
Many people who feel like giving up on life don’t really realize how much they’re worth. They undersell themselves and feel bad about who they are. Work on realizing just how much value you bring to those around you, and you’ll be much happier.
Stop focusing on your flaws and insecurities, but focus on your strengths and best aspects. This simple change in perspective can help you live a more positive life. [Read: How to focus on yourself – 27 ways to build your own happiness]
17. Spend money on experiences and not stuff
We live in such a consumerist world, but no matter how many things you buy, there will always be something you lack. Always. Those who spend money on activities and experiences are far happier.
Those memories are more impactful than something that sits in your living room. You can always buy that Chanel bag, but you can never get back a second of time when you invest in experiences where you’re happy and you feel on top of the world.
18. Remember that you’re not alone
Everyone feels this way occasionally. You’re not alone in wanting to give up on life. Everyone has days where they’re tempted to just dwell on all their problems and sorrows.
Your friends have been there. Beyoncé has even been there. Realizing this can help you push through those negative times. If they managed to get past it, you will too. [Read: How to make happiness your default state when nothing makes you happy]
19. Be consistent with these practices
You know what they say; consistency is key. You won’t overcome the feeling of giving up on life overnight. It takes consistent effort to get to that point.
If you keep doing these things regularly, you’ll see how much of a difference they can really make. Be consistent and do these things even if you don’t feel like giving up on life. They can undoubtedly lead to more happiness.
20. Take a break
When you feel like giving up for whatever the reason, sometimes all you really need is a break. Maybe you’re just burned out from work, or you feel exhausted with life.
Everyone needs rest from time to time and just like you won’t achieve anything when you’re sleep-deprived, the same goes for never taking breaks. So take a weekend off to unwind and relax. It could be just what you needed. [Read: How to feel happy again with 13 proven strategies]
21. Remind yourself of your purpose
If there’s anything that will keep you going even in a dark situation, it’s your purpose. When you’re tempted to dwell on your difficult situation, remind yourself what your purpose is.
What motivates you to wake up in the morning? What keeps you going? What do you think you were made for in this life? Your purpose prevents you from giving up on life. [Read: What is my purpose in life? How to find meaning when you feel lost]
22. Be empowered in your resilience
Resilience is defined as your capability to get back up and rise even though you’ve fallen down. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, why not be empowered in your resilience?
You are so much stronger than you think. So as easy as it is to give up, realize that you won’t let yourself lose that quickly. You have so much fight within you, and that’s exactly what makes you so strong.
23. Find your motivation
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t naturally wake up with motivation, but it’s something you choose to have. People who exercise daily don’t wake up with a natural drive to wear their gym clothes and work out.
Instead, they decide to because of a particular goal they’ve set for themselves. So before you give up on life, find the motivation to keep it going first. [Read: 19 life quotes to motivate you to live a better life]
24. Take it step by step
You have to take it gradually if you want to avoid giving up on life. As we said, you can’t expect results overnight, no matter how much you want to. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll eventually see your perspective and mindset changing more positively. But if you expect instant results, you won’t get there.
25. Don’t play the victim
Playing the victim is something we’ve all done that we’ve also instantly regretted. It’s easier to give up when you tend to play the victim, but you won’t get anywhere in your life.
Stop seeing yourself as the victim because you are the survivor in your own story, no matter what happened. You’re your own hero, so it’s up to you to get back up and prove just how strong and resilient you really are.
[Read: Playing victim – 13 signs & reasons why it makes your life way worse]
How to avoid giving up on life?
You not giving up on life is how you change your mindset and perspective.
Instead of dwelling on a negative frame of mind, you must find a way to change that.
Stop focusing on everything that went wrong and everything you lack, but focus on everything you already have. Gratitude is more powerful than you think.
[Read: How to be perfect in everything you do and lead a fulfilling life]
It can be tough to get yourself back to feeling happy once you’ve felt like giving up on life. But with these tips, you can get back up and keep moving forward. Just start with one step, and make a conscious effort to follow through. And the rest of your life can be magical!
