Have hope. This phrase, until recently, used to make me cringe because it felt more sympathetic than the empathy I crave when I’m struggling. It changed when I heard the line, “You don’t have to be happy to have hope.” Hopefulness doesn’t imply that we’re forgetting the pain, the hardship, the sadness. Hopefulness is continuing the climb and noticing the peak is up ahead. It’s feeling every burn but knowing there’s going to be an end. Having hope disallows the discomfort to overcome you and take control of your choices and thoughts. Life is hard and it comes with growth, even though those changes can be trying during the shift. Although it’s hard to focus on the light at the end, don’t give up the fight.

Check out the TEDx inspiration behind the quote for today’s Recovery Talk here!

Kristen Ellis

Kristen has worked in the mental health field since 2013, with a focus on crisis work, substance use services, and bringing a voice to lived experience. Her ambition is to change the way mental health care and recovery is seen and achieved, so to redefine what it means to defeat adversity. She is a storyteller and the editor of HopeInc.com.