Cultivating hope for the future
Hope and sadness are subjective, but our feelings are real and should be accepted. No one is always happy or hopeful. There are times we find it hard to move on or even feel hopeless. Feeling hopeless for a while is a natural reaction to things that happen in our lives and in the world. It needs to be addressed, though, if our hopelessness lasts for longer periods. Our thought patterns play an important role in how hopeful we feel, and the key to changing from hopeless to hopeful can be to reframe our thoughts and reevaluate the situation that causes it.
Here are some ways how to regain hope:
Identify unhelpful thoughts that you use most
Work on reframing them in your mind by considering what other possibilities the situation can offer.
If you feel hopeless because of a medical diagnosis, it might help to learn more about the condition and all the ways it could affect you.
If bad comments make you feel lost, try to fight them with a list of opposites. Think about what you’ve done well in the past.
Participation question:
What helps you to stay hopeful in rough times?
What do you hope for to happen in 2026?
Helpful Videos:
How to find hope - BBC Dars, BBC World Service
Helpful Resources:
How to Live a Good Enough Life
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation
https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
@amiablePeace77
What helps me in rough times, is knowing feelings past.
And with them, their intensity.
And expectations change.
What you want changes.
Things ebb and flow.
What I want in 2026 is to be more present, say yes to more opportunities for fun, for growth, say no, when something doesn't serve a purpose and only makes my life harder, create memories with family 💚😊
Journaling, and praying help me stay hopeful in rough times.
I hope to develop healthy relations with the right people, and discard the toxic relationships. I hope to participate in opportunities that make me grow and have meaning.
@amiablePeace77 I’m not sure if there’s anything specific that helps me feel hopeful during rough times. I tend to naturally cycle through hope, trying, getting knocked down, being depressed a while, then eventually feeling hopeful and trying again. It feels like I have no choice but to do something. It’s a regular feeling for me to not have much hope that things will get better. I have experiences with certain concrete things improving like finances or my job. But relationships just don’t seem to be in the cards for me. I can’t really look back and say well this or that went well at one point so it can happen again. I’ve been lonely my whole life. I start to develop a friendship, but before I know what’s happened something is wrong again, and I just feel more and more disconnected.
@PiecesOfWhoeverIWas
Building friendships through strengthening relationships can be difficult and time-consuming, and it is not always successful. I can only imagine how frustrated you might be when you try and it does not work out. Meeting the right people—those who relate to us and understand us—can be crucial. I hope you feel connected here.
@amiablepeace77
Staying hopeful has gotten more difficult as I’ve gotten older. Maybe because my anxiety has gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. (Maybe because I’ve had more concerns…)
I used to be a very positive person. Very optimistic. I’m not so much now but I still try. I have some great co-workers and their friendship gives me hope.
In 2026 I hope that me and my family members will have fewer problems, less stress and more peace and happiness.
@thoughtfulmomma
I hope 2026 will be a good year for you! Nice that your coworkers support you.
@amiablePeace77
What helps you to stay hopeful in rough times?
A second change to improve
What do you hope for to happen in 2026?
Success in my endeavours
@amiablePeace77
What helps you to stay hopeful in rough times?
Always remembering that I survived, thrived, and never gave up during any rough times in the past and that always remembering that will get me through any rough times that comes to me now or in the future.
What do you hope for to happen in 2026?
The same thing I hope for every year - a better, happier, peaceful world/society with no wars/violence, racism, homelessness, etc
@akunknown
You've built resilience! It can make challenges feel easier to remember what you've already mastered.
I share your hopes for 2026!
