Feeling down in the dumps? Noticed that you’re feeling a little extra discouraged lately? You’re not alone. In fact, according to a recent study, the feeling of discouragement is on the rise.

Researchers believe that the increase in discouragement can be attributed to a number of factors, including stress, anxiety, and depression. While it may seem like there’s no way out of the funk, there are actually a few things you can do to start feeling better.

So if you’re feeling discouraged, don’t despair–help is on the way. Check out these tips for getting out of your slump and feeling more positive again.

Feeling Of Discouragement: A Common Emotion 

Everyone feels discouraged at some point or another. It’s a perfectly normal feeling. But what exactly is discouragement? And what can you do about it? Feeling of discouragement is defined as “a feeling of disillusionment and depression with regard to one’s ambitions or hopes.”

In other words, it’s that feeling you get when you’re just not sure you can reach your goals.

Maybe you’ve been working hard towards a goal for months or even years, but you’re just not seeing any progress. Or maybe you’re facing some setbacks and you’re feeling like giving up. Whatever the reason, discouragement can be a real drag. 

Feeling Discouraged At Work 

There are times when we can’t help but feel discouraged at work. After all, we spend a lot of our waking hours at our jobs, so it’s only natural that we might not always be feeling 100%. Here are some common reasons why people feel discouraged at work:

• Feeling like you’re not good enough: Maybe you’re feeling like you’re not meeting your own standards, or maybe you’re comparing yourself to others and feeling like you’re falling short. Either way, it can be tough to shake the feeling that you’re just not cut out for the job.
• Feeling like your work is pointless: It’s easy to feel like your job doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like you’re making a difference. If you don’t feel like your work is valuable or worthwhile, it can be tough to stay motivated.
• Feeling stressed: A demanding job can be tough to handle, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed it can be tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stress can also lead to burnout, which can leave you feeling even more discouraged.

If you’re feeling discouraged at work, try to take a step back and evaluate why you might be feeling that way. Once you identify the source of your discouragement, it can be easier to find a way to move past it. And remember, everyone feels down from time to time – so don’t beat yourself up too much!

Feeling Discouraged About School 

There are a lot of reasons why students might feel discouraged about school. It could be because they’re struggling to keep up with the workload, or feeling like they don’t fit in socially. Maybe they’re not doing as well as they’d hoped on tests and assignments, or they’re just feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done.

Here are a few things that might contribute to feeling discouraged:

• Feeling overwhelmed. School can feel like a lot of work, especially if you’re taking difficult classes or have a lot of extracurricular activities. It’s important to make time for breaks and relaxation, or you’ll start feeling burned out. Make sure to schedule some down time into your week so you can recharge.
• Boring classes/teachers. Sometimes, the material itself or the way it’s presented can be discouraging. If you’re not interested in the class, it can be hard to stay motivated. Talk to your teacher or look for other resources on the subject outside of class to try and find a way to get interested in the material.

Don’t give up! Feeling discouraged is normal, but it’s important to push through and keep trying. Remember that even if things are tough right now, it won’t always be this way. Things will eventually get better!

Feeling Discouraged About Life

People might feel discouraged about life for many reasons. Maybe they’re feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, or they’re feeling stuck in a rut. Maybe they’re comparing themselves to others and feeling like they’ll never measure up.

Whatever the reason, feeling discouraged is a totally normal feeling. And it’s okay to feel this way sometimes. In fact, it can be a sign that you need to make some changes in your life.

Here are some common causes of discouragement:

• You’re facing a difficult situation: whether it’s a challenging project at work, an illness, or a difficult relationship, feeling discouraged is a normal reaction to feeling overwhelmed.
• You’re not meeting your goals: if you’re constantly falling short of your expectations, it’s only natural to feel discouraged. Maybe you’re setting your sights too high, or maybe you need to reevaluate your approach. Either way, it’s important to remember that feeling discouraged is part of the journey to reaching your goal.
• You’re comparing yourself to others: it’s easy to feel discouraged when we compare ourselves to others and come up short. But the truth is, everyone has their own unique journey and there’s no need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Feeling Of Discouragement: At Mental Level

Feeling discouraged can show up in different ways for different people, but there are some common mental signs that tend to be associated with this feeling. For example, someone who is feeling discouraged may feel like they’re constantly fighting an uphill battle, or that they’re never going to make any progress.

They may also start to doubt themselves and their ability to succeed. Additionally, feeling discouraged can lead to feelings of pessimism and hopelessness.

Feeling Of Discouragement: At Physical Level

Feeling discouraged often manifests itself in physical ways. For example, you may notice that your shoulders feel heavy and your head hangs low. Your breathing may be shallow and your steps listless. This is because when we feel discouraged, our body instinctively wants to protect itself.

We become less engaged with the world around us and our natural fight-or-flight response kicks in. This can lead to a whole host of physical symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension.

20 Ways To Overcome Feeling Of Discouragement

A feeling of discouragement can hit us at any point in life. It is often hard to imagine overcoming it, but it is possible. Here are 18 ways that you can start to overcome the feeling of discouragement:

1. Accept That You Are Feeling Discouraged

First and foremost, it’s important to accept that feeling discouraged is perfectly normal. Everyone feels discouraged from time to time – it’s a part of life. Just because you’re feeling down doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.

Acknowledging your feelings can be helpful in itself.

Once you’ve accepted that feeling discouraged is normal, it becomes easier to take the next steps to overcoming discouragement.

2. Practice Gratitude 

Feeling of discouragement can make it tough to see the silver lining. That’s where practicing gratitude comes in. Gratitude is all about appreciating what you have, even in the midst of challenges.

When you take the time to reflect on what’s going well in your life, it can help you to feel more hopeful and optimistic. Additionally, gratitude has been linked with greater levels of happiness and well-being.

It can be anything, big or small.

Over time, thinking about all the good things in your life will help you feel more positive and hopeful. And that can make it a lot easier to overcome feelings of discouragement. So next time you’re feeling down, try taking a few moments to appreciate all the good in your life. It just might help you turn that frown upside down.

3. Remind Yourself About The Big Picture 

A feeling of discouragement can come from feeling like the current percent moment is the only thing, and that it’s never going to get better. But if you take a step back and remind yourself of the big picture, it can help you overcome that feeling.

The big picture is always changing, and there are always factors at play that you may not be aware of. Keeping that in mind can help you see that the current situation is not necessarily permanent, and that there is always potential for growth.

Just because we’re going through a tough time doesn’t mean that our lives are totally ruined. Additionally, reminding yourself of the big picture can help you put things into perspective and see the current situation in a new light.

Instead of feeling like you’re stuck in a rut, you might see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

4. Work On Your Expectations 

Life can be tough, and sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. However, feeling chronically discouraged can be a sign that our expectations are out of alignment with reality.

If we expect too much from ourselves, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t strive to better ourselves – but it’s important to be realistic about what we can achieve. When our expectations are realistic, we’re more likely to feel successful and accomplished, even when things don’t go perfectly according to plan.

Managing our expectations is a helpful way to prevent feeling chronically discouraged.

By accepting that things won’t always go the way we want them to, we can let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what’s really important to us. When we do this, we open ourselves up to feeling happier and more fulfilled, even in the face of adversity.

5. Leave The Side Of Perfectionism 

Perfectionism can be a helpful motivator in some situations. It can push us to achieve things we may have thought were out of our reach. However, perfectionism can also be damaging, leading to feelings of discouragement and anxiety.

When we strive for perfectionism, we set ourselves up for disappointment when we inevitably fall short. Instead of looking at mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow, we see them as a sign of failure. This can lead to a feeling of discouragement that is difficult to overcome.

Fortunately, there is a way out of this crippling cycle of perfectionism and discouragement. By learning to accept imperfection, we can begin to see mistakes as opportunities for growth. This doesn’t mean that we should strive for mediocrity; rather, it means that we should focus on the process rather than the outcome.

When we shift our focus in this way, we can begin to move forward in a healthy and productive way.

6. Get Rid Of The Urge To Compare Yourself To Others

It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly comparing ourselves to others, especially when we scroll through social media and see everyone else’s “highlight reel.” But what we have to remind ourselves is that we are each on our own journey and that comparison is only going to breed feelings of discouragement.

Here are a few ways in which not comparing yourself to others can be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement: 

• Underestimating your own progress: When you compare yourself to others, you might feel like you’re not making as much progress as them. However, this isn’t always accurate because you’re likely to underestimate your own progress. 
• Feeling bad about yourself: Constantly comparing yourself to others can make you feel bad about yourself because you fixate on what you don’t have rather than being grateful for what you do have. 
• Missing out on your own journey: If you’re too busy comparing yourself to others, then you’re going to miss out on your own journey. After all, it’s your life – not theirs! So live it for yourself instead of living for someone else’s standards.

7. Stop The Channel Of Negative Thinking 

Overthinking can be a major obstacle to overcome feeling of discouragement. When we overthink, we ruminate on past failures and dwell on what could have been.

This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, making it difficult to move forward.

Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, we should focus on the present moment and what we can do to improve our situation. Stopping the channel of overthinking can be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement. It allows us to focus on the here and now, and take action to improve our lives. 

8. Hit The Restart Button

When you’re feeling down, it can be helpful to hit the reset button. This means taking a step back, evaluating your situation, and making a fresh start. This can be especially effective when you’re feeling discouraged.

When you’re feeling discouraged, it’s easy to get caught up in negative thinking.

You may feel like you’re not good enough, like you’ll never achieve your goals, or like you’re just not cut out for success. But by hitting the restart button, you can break out of this negative mindset and give yourself a fresh start.

This doesn’t mean that your problems will magically disappear. But it does mean that you’ll have a new outlook on life, and that you’ll be better able to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

So next time you’re feeling discouraged, don’t be afraid to hit the restart button. It just might be the best thing you ever do.

9. Find Company Of People Who Encourage You

There’s nothing worse than feeling down in the dumps and feeling like you can’t get out of your funk. Luckily, one of the best ways to overcome feeling discouraged is to find a group of people who will encourage and uplift you.

When you’re feeling low, these are the people who will be there to pick you up and help you see the silver lining. They’ll make you laugh when you feel like crying and they’ll help you see the good in every situation. 

Here are some benefits of finding an encouraging community: 

• Feeling supported: When you’re feeling discouraged, it can be helpful to have a group of people who understand what you’re going through and can offer support. Knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles can make all the difference.
• Having someone to vent to: Sometimes, all you need is someone to listen to you vent about your frustrations. This can be a huge relief and can help you to feel better about your situation.
• Being held accountable: If you’re feeling discouraged, it can be easy to fall into negative cycles of thinking and behavior. Having people around who will hold you accountable for your actions can help you to break out of those cycles and make positive changes in your life. 

If you’re feeling discouraged, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends and family for support. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel after spending time with them.

10. Look For A Purpose In Life

A lot of people go through life feeling directionless and uncertain. They float from day to day without any real sense of purpose. This can be discouraging, and it often leads to feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

Fortunately, there is a way to overcome these feelings of discouragement.

By finding a purpose in life, you can give yourself a sense of direction and something to strive for. This can be anything from raising a family to starting a business to making a difference in your community.

Whatever it is, having a purpose gives you something to focus on and work towards. It gives your life meaning and makes the day-to-day grind worthwhile.

11. Focus On Your Personal Growth And Keep The Ego In Check

When we’re feeling discouraged, it can be helpful to shift our focus from our current circumstances to our personal growth. This doesn’t mean that we should ignore the challenges we’re facing, but rather that we should keep them in perspective.

Our current situation is temporary, but our personal growth is a lifelong journey. Focusing on our growth helps us to remember that we’re constantly moving forward, even when it feels like we’re not.

It can also be helpful to keep our egos in check during times of discouragement. Our egos can lead us to compare ourselves to others, which can make us feel like we’re falling behind. But the truth is that everyone’s journey is different.

Comparison is a fruitless exercise that will only serve to make us feel worse. So instead of comparing ourselves to others, let’s focus on our own personal growth. This is the best way to overcome feeling discouraged.

12. Redefine What Happiness Means To You

Redefining what happiness means to you can be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement. For example, if you have been feeling down because you have not achieved a certain goal, redefine happiness as feeling proud of yourself for taking action towards that goal.

Rather than thinking of happiness as a destination, try redefining it as a journey.

This way, you can focus on enjoying the ride, rather than feeling like you have to reach some unattainable goal. Additionally, try to view happiness as something that comes from within, rather than something that depends on external factors.

This will help you to appreciate the good moments, even when things aren’t perfect.  By redefining happiness, you can shift your focus from what is making you feel down to something that is more positive and attainable. This can help you to overcome feeling of discouragement.

13. Spend Time Out In The Nature

There’s nothing quite like spending time out in nature to help boost your mood and outlook on life. When you’re feeling down or discouraged, take some time to go for a walk in the park, sit by the ocean, or simply spend time in your backyard.

Surrounding yourself with beauty and tranquility can help you to appreciate the good things in your life and forget about your troubles for a little while. In addition, getting some exercise and fresh air can do wonders for your physical and mental health. 

14. Stop Being Reactive 

If you’re feeling discouraged, one helpful way to overcome those feelings is to focus on being proactive instead of reactive. It can be easy to get caught up in feeling like we’re powerless when things happen to us that we don’t like, but if we proactively choose how to respond to those situations, we can take back some control.

Instead of feeling like a victim, we can feel empowered.

When we’re proactive, we’re also more likely to take action towards our goals instead of just feeling overwhelmed and stuck. So if you’re feeling down, try to focus on being proactive and taking action, and see how it makes you feel.

15. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help 

When you’re feeling discouraged, it can be tempting to just give up and try to tough it out on your own. However, this is usually not the best course of action. Asking for help can actually be a key part of overcoming feeling of discouragement.

When you reach out to others, you’ll likely find that you’re not alone in feeling this way. This can help you to feel less isolated and more motivated to keep going.

Additionally, other people may have valuable insight or resources that can help you to achieve your goals.

16. Accept That Few Things Are Better Left A Mystery 

Feeling discouraged is a natural part of life. Everyone feels it at some point. But what separates the quitters from the winners is how they deal with feeling discouraged. You can either let it beat you or you can use it as motivation to keep going.

The key is to not take yourself too seriously and to accept that some things are better left a mystery. Here are a few ways that accepting that few are better left a mystery can help you overcome feeling of discouragement: 

• It takes the pressure off. If you’re feeling discouraged because you’re not sure what the future holds, remember that nobody has all the answers. We’re all just making it up as we go along. So take a deep breath and relax. You don’t have to have everything figured out. 
• It gives you permission to be imperfect. One of the main reasons people feel discouraged is because they’re not meeting their own high standards. But if you accept that nobody has all the answers, then it’s okay to be imperfect. You don’t have to be perfect to be successful. 
• It reminds you that life is a journey, not a destination. Life is full of ups and downs, and feeling discouraged is part of the journey. Embrace the feeling and use it as motivation to keep going. Remember, it’s not about where you end up, it’s about the journey itself. 

Understanding that not everything needs to be figured out right away can take some of the pressure off and help you relax and enjoy the journey. Remember that accepting that few are better left a mystery can be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement. cheesy? maybe, but true nonetheless!

17. Be In The Present Moment 

When you’re feeling discouraged, it can be helpful to focus on the present moment. That’s because discouragement is often caused by thinking about past failures or dwelling on future challenges.

If you can focus on what’s happening right now, it can help you to feel more positive and hopeful. Here are some tips for staying in the present moment:

• Try to be aware of your surroundings and really take in the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
• Pay attention to your body and how it feels in this moment. Are you feeling tense or relaxed? Hungry or full? Hot or cold?
• Focus on your breathing and count each inhale and exhale.
• Do something that requires your full attention, like playing with a pet or solving a puzzle.

By staying in the present moment, you can break the cycle of discouragement and start to feel better.

18. Don’t Lose Hope

When you’re feeling down, it can be easy to give up hope. However, research has shown that maintaining hope can actually be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement. Simply put, hope is the belief that things will get better.

It’s the feeling that no matter what happens, you’ll be able to face it and eventually come out on top.

 Hope has been shown to be a powerful tool in coping with difficult situations. One study found that cancer patients who felt hopeful about their treatment were more likely to stick with it, even when things got tough.

They also reported feeling less fatigue and depression. Another study found that people who felt hopeful after a divorce were more likely to recover emotionally and financially than those who didn’t have hope.

19. Take A Break

Feeling discouraged is tough. You’re feeling down, maybe even feeling like you can’t do things or that they’re never going to get better. But trust me, taking a break can be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement.

It might not seem like it at first, but getting away from whatever is causing you to feel discouraged can help clear your head and give you some much-needed perspective.

So go ahead and take that break. Maybe watch your favorite movie, or go for a walk outside. Drink some tea and read your favorite book. Do whatever will help you relax and give you some time to think things through. Remember, feeling discouraged is only temporary. You’ll get through this!

20. Do Something For Someone else 

We’ve all been there before- feeling down in the dumps and like we can’t get out of our funk. While it may seem counterintuitive, doing something for someone else can actually be helpful in overcoming feeling of discouragement. Here’s how:

• It can take your focus off of your own problems: When we’re feeling blue, it’s easy to become fixated on our own issues and dwell on all the ways things aren’t going our way. However, by helping someone else, we can take our focus off of ourselves and our problems, at least for a little while. This can help to provide some much-needed perspective.
• It can make you feel needed and useful: When we’re feeling down, it’s easy to feel like we’re not needed or that we don’t have anything to offer. However, by doing something for someone else- whether it’s running an errand for a friend or volunteering at a local shelter- we can remind ourselves that we are needed and that we have a lot to offer. This can help boost our mood and give us a sense of purpose.
• It can make you feel good: There’s no denying that helping others can make us feel good. In fact, studies have shown that helping others releases dopamine, which is a chemical associated with happiness. So not only can helping others take our focus off of our own problems, but it can also make us feel happier and better overall.

Next time you’re feeling down, try doing something nice for someone else. It just might help you get out of your funk!

Conclusion 

So there you have it! A few tips to help you deal with that feeling of discouragement. Just remember that discouragement is a normal part of life and everyone feels it at some point. The important thing is to not let it get the best of you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. You got this!

References

Olko, J. (2020, August 20). From discouragement to self-empowerment. Insights from an ethnolinguistic vitality survey among the Kashubs in Poland. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237395

Keoviphone, C., & Wibowo, U. B. (2015). Factors discouraging students from schooling: A case study at Junior Secondary School in Laos. Research and Evaluation in Education, 1(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.21831/reid.v1i1.4894

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311