How to not Self Pity

Have you ever sat down and wanted to quit because you know what your goals are, what you want to create but you don't see it being achieved any time soon? Just being completely decimated by a wave of depression that seems impossible to overcome? If so then you're in good company because I know the feeling. It is stifling, suffocating like being trapped at the bottom of the ocean attached to a shipwreck, desperately yearning for air.

Okay...so that is more bleak than I intended but when you're in it that does fit the bill. There are times when one can feel like everything they touch turns to shit (rather than gold...oh if only one could turn on and off the Midas Touch...) and any endeavour you embark on will turn into the Odyssey (without the happy ending....and if you don't get the reference please read it...very inspirational >.< ). It's a difficult feeling to over come and in all honestly some people never fully get out of it but I can at least give you some ideas on how to crawl and claw your way out of that endless abyss that is self loathing.

- Surround yourself with people who genuinely love you.
These are the people who want to see you succeed. They know your strengths as well as your weaknesses and aren't afraid to help steer you away from rocks that will wreck your ship (but not flat out tell you that sailing is too dangerous...yup, the ocean is my theme for this one).

- Take a breather.
We all know that if we don't put in the work we won't get or create what we want but if we don't learn to relax and take some time away from it then we won't be able to look at it with a fresh perspective or allow ourselves to replenish our creative juices (or willpower for that matter).

- Remember that perfection doesn't exist.
We tend to be our toughest critics and keep at developing what we work on until it's "perfect" but that often keeps us from bringing our work to the light. If we keep working on it in secret and never show it to the world we will keep kicking ourselves because we weren't good enough to get it done (cut that crap out get it done, look over it, make some adjustments and release it like that fishing line your praying hooks a few meals!).

-Take care of yourself.
If you don't sleep, exercise, eat properly then bloody well start. It's easy to lose ourselves in self pity when we aren't balanced. Healthy body means healthy mind means steady emotions. Besides, being physical will help loosen you up as well as relax you. Plus its hard to pity yourself when you've got those endorphins from working out or knowing you're running on some awesome nutrients.

-Don't give a fuck.
It is scientifically proven (so I hear...not that I studied psychology or anything...) that giving a damn about what people say to you shortens your life (seriously, it isn't healthy at all to constantly wonder if people will like what you are doing or focusing on the haters). Not putting too much (or any) weight in criticism allows you to create unrestrained and maintaining your focus on whether its what you want it to be instead of how many people will like it.

So, do yourself a favour and kick pity's arse! Do what you need to get back on your feet and succeed!