Sometimes, life’s hectic pace can make us forget about the things that really matter to us. Simple reminders that you can put on sticky notes or say aloud can really help keep things in perspective. Additionally, they can help you clear out all those unnecessary thoughts you might have throughout your days. If you’ve been struggling in life lately, we hope these reminders will help you overcome any obstacles and keep your mind in a positive state.

Here are 12 reminders to give yourself daily:

  1. The past cannot be changed.

Sure, some things in your past might have caused you a great deal of pain, but you can’t go back and change them. You can only learn from what happened and use the lessons to make you a better person. No matter who hurt you, remember that they had so much pain within them that they had to take it out on someone. Unfortunately, they used you as their punching bag. This doesn’t excuse their behavior, but hopefully it helps you remember that everyone makes mistakes.

Hurt people hurt other people. If you find yourself holding a grudge or harboring negative feelings, try to forgive the person and move on. Only when you let go of the past can you truly move forward with your life.

  1. Others’ opinions don’t define your reality.

People will talk about you no matter what you do in life, so you might as well live a life that truly makes you happy. No one can live your life for you. Ultimately, you have to decide what you want while you’re on this earth. People will have their opinions, but they shouldn’t stray you from your goals and desires.

Keep reminders to stay in your lane and don’t worry about where everyone else is driving. Everyone is on their own journey here. Just like they do, you also have the choice to do what feels right in your heart. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, you can follow your dreams and fulfill your own desires.

  1. Everyone’s journey is different.

As we said above, everyone walks their own path in this life. Just because someone graduated college, got a high-paying job, has the perfect spouse, and basically lives the American dream, that doesn’t mean you should follow in their footsteps. What someone else wants will differ from what you want, so don’t use someone else as a means of comparison. Comparing yourself to others will only make you unhappy. Listen to your own heart and avoid measuring yourself against others who want different things out of life than you.

Instead, psychologists recommend comparing yourself to where you were yesterday. That will help you accomplish your goals without getting discouraged so easily.

  1. Things get better with time.

It might feel like nothing will get better, but that’s only because people generally can’t predict the future. You don’t know what your life will look like five or ten years from now. Just because life seems difficult at the moment, this does not mean it will remain that way forever. As long as you keep your goals in mind and work toward them a little bit each day, you WILL triumph in the end.

  1. Judgments only show your character.

Judging someone else shows poor character, because you don’t know what that person deals with on a daily basis. We all fight our own battles every day, so judging someone shows a lack of compassion and insecurity on your part.

When you judge someone else, it also reflects the judgments you make about yourself, because other people are our mirrors. In other words, we see in others what we see in ourselves.

If you want to start seeing the good in people, look to yourself first.

  1. Overthinking will lead to unhappiness.

Overthinking can cause a great deal of problems. Studies show that it increases your risk of mental illness, interferes with problem-solving by causing you to focus on problems instead of solutions, and can even hinder sleep. How many of us lie awake at night thinking about everything from the bills we have to pay to the meaning of our lives? Probably most of us. Though we are incredibly smart creatures, we have to learn to use our brains to our advantage rather than letting them run wild all the time.

In order to calm your mind, try meditation, yoga, or other relaxing activities. If you prefer staying active to get out of your head, go to the gym or get involved in a local sports team so you have somewhere to put all that energy. Give yourself reminders that you don’t have to think all the time. Give your brain a break and get out of your head for a while. It will do you so much good!

  1. Happiness is found within.

Many people look for happiness outside of themselves, but can you blame them? Advertisements for fast food, perfume, clothes, gym memberships, and everything in between all claim to have something that will make you happier. They all have the secret to happiness, as long as you have the money to pay for it. Does something sound fishy about that? We thought so, too.

They don’t want you to know that you can find happiness inside yourself. If you knew that, you wouldn’t need their products, and that would put them out of business. Just think how many businesses would fail if everyone decided to love themselves. Give yourself a reminder that everything in life is fleeting, and the key to happiness is already inside of you.

We live in a man-made world that offers a lot to us but doesn’t really make us fulfilled. Lasting happiness lies in your heart and soul, not in a new car or pair of jeans. Remember your worth.

  1. Positive thoughts lead to more positive thoughts.

Positivity takes time to master, but practicing it daily will get you there in no time. We live in a very negative world, so remaining positive at all times is a little unrealistic. It’s more about being gentle with yourself and believing in your own worth.

Reprogram your mind by repeating mantras such as “I am strong” or “I am worthy” to overpower any negative thoughts. If you practice positive thinking often, you’ll notice that your thoughts start to focus on the good things in your life rather than the bad.

Our minds are very pliable. What you teach yourself to think can become deeply ingrained in your subconscious. This is exactly why positive thinking is so powerful, as it can change your life from the inside out.

  1. Smiles are contagious.

If you see someone looking stressed or sad, flash them a bright smile and watch their face light up as well. We all need reminders to make others happy sometimes, because we all lead busy lives and have our own problems to deal with. However, making others happy can also bring joy to ourselves, because happiness goes both ways.

reminders

  1. It costs $0.00 to be a kind person.

In a world where you can be anything, give yourself reminders to be kind. It doesn’t cost anything and could really turn someone’s day around. You have no idea what people go through every day, so it doesn’t hurt to show them a little compassion. You never know; you might just save their life. It could be as simple as smiling at someone or holding the door for them on the way out. One act of kindness could go a long way in helping a person feel better.

  1. You only fail if you quit.

If you want to succeed in life, you have to be okay with failing, too. Most business owners or authors, for example, don’t have a breakthrough until years into their career. Singers and musicians often have to put in hundreds of hours in studios before they get their big break. Nothing in life comes easily, but you can’t let failure stop you from trying.

The people who win in life only got there because they never gave up, and your big break could be just around the corner. However, if you give up now, you will never taste the sweetness of victory. So, keep trying no matter what.

  1. What goes around comes around.

If you want good energy in your life, you have to give it out first. If you want kindness, show it, too. In other words, the energy you put out comes right back to you in some form or another. Good vibes attract good vibes, so make sure you remain in a positive state of mind.

Final thoughts

We know that no one’s perfect, but these reminders will help you live a more positive, intentional life. Any time you feel like you’ve strayed from your path or want to give up, look at these reminders to help you keep going.