101 Glimmers of Hope: Small Things to Stay For
- Lexi Lehman
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
When life hurts, “things will get better” can feel impossible to believe. But hope is not a switch to be flipped on, rather, it lies in the beauty of moments ahead that you haven’t yet experienced.
These moments don’t have to be extraordinary. Sometimes hope looks like finding a song that becomes your song. Sometimes it is meeting someone who makes you feel understood. Sometimes it is simply waking up one morning and realizing that getting out of bed doesn’t feel quite so hard.
You don't have to feel hopeful about these things today. You can simply leave room for the possibility that they might happen.
Here are 101 small things to stay for:
The first good day after a long stretch of hard ones.
Finding a song that says exactly what you can’t put to words.
Laughing unexpectedly at something completely ridiculous.
Sitting outside on a warm evening with nowhere you need to be.
Making a new friend as an adult.
Seeing flowers bloom after a long winter.
Finding your new favorite restaurant.
Trying a new recipe that turns out surprisingly well.
Drinking your favorite coffee or tea on a peaceful morning.
Getting an unexpected text from someone you love.
Tasting a dessert that brings you back to simpler times.
Finding a place that feels like your own.
Meeting someone who will eventually become an important part of your life.
Completing a project you’ve been putting off.
Reading a book that changes the way you see something.
Finally finishing the shampoo and conditioner bottles at the same time.
Finding a movie that becomes a comfort watch.
Creating something you’re proud of.
Discovering that you’re good at something you never expected.
Finding a hobby that makes time disappear.
Discovering a quote that stays with you for years.
Watching an animal do something unexpectedly funny.
Caring for something and watching it grow.
Meeting a stranger that changes your perspective.
Creating a tradition that becomes meaningful to you.
Seeing your favorite artist perform.
When a beautiful sunrise makes you forget about your grogginess.
Doing something that younger-you would be proud of.
Creating the perfect morning routine.
Going somewhere you’ve always dreamed of visiting.
Looking at a sky full of stars.
Discovering something you’re curious enough to keep exploring.
Wearing that sweatshirt you absolutely love.
Becoming someone else’s safe person.
Watching a stranger beam after giving them a compliment.
Taking that day off work when you really needed it.
Celebrating your favorite holiday.
Meeting a person you look up to.
The first sip of cold water when you’re really thirsty.
Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, fresh out of the dryer.
Finding a parking spot in the front row.
Someone who insists on knowing how you’re really doing.
Flipping to the cool side of the pillow.
Seeing a shooting star and making a wish.
Feeling sun on your skin after a long winter.
Talking about a topic you love with another person who gets it.
Somebody saving you the last piece.
The kind stranger who brightened your day a little bit.
Hitting straight green lights on your way home.
When it’s finally cold enough to wear your favorite sweater.
When the barista at your favorite coffee shop remembers your order.
Getting to make a loved one feel special on their birthday.
Finding forgotten money stashed in your pocket.
Climbing into freshly cleaned sheets after a long day.
Hearing your favorite voice.
When a song you love starts playing over the loud speaker.
Accepting an apology that meant a lot to you.
Giving an apology that you worked up the courage to give.
Fixing something yourself instead of replacing it.
Placing the last piece of a puzzle.
Wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident.
Using a new soap that you love the smell of.
Being with a child as they observe the world with awe.
Spending time with somebody that you can be your genuine self with.
Having a day that turned out better than you expected.
Watching someone’s face light up after opening the gift you have them.
Making someone laugh.
Being thanked for something you did.
Getting a really good deal on that thing you’ve wanted for a long time.
Rewatching that cartoon you loved as a child.
Seeing a piece of art that resonates with you.
Learning how to do something you’ve always wondered about.
Having a good hair day.
Meeting with someone who looks up to you.
When you find an animal that loves you unconditionally.
Having a genuine laugh that you didn’t have to force.
Learning something about yourself that gives you the context you need.
Your favorite author dropping a new novel.
Teaching someone about something you’re passionate about.
Creating the playlist of your dreams.
Sitting somewhere you’ve never sat before.
Sharing a comfortable silence with someone.
Choosing to take the scenic route.
Trying again after you wanted to give up.
Rearranging your room for a fresh start.
Opening a fresh notebook.
Becoming someone’s go-to person.
Catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a long time.
A moment when you feel proud of yourself.
Arriving somewhere right on time.
Finding something you thought you’d lost.
Asking someone for help and getting it.
Sending and receiving hand-written letters in the mail.
Changing your mind on something to be more aligned with who you are now.
Waking up just before your alarm rings.
Feeling the weight off your shoulders when that stressful task is over with.
Receiving a genuine complement that makes you feel seen.
Finishing something ahead of time.
Finding the perfect song to match your mood.
Eating a perfectly ripe and in-season fruit/veggie.
The possibility that something beautiful, ordinary, unexpected, or deeply meaningful is waiting for you in a future you haven’t reached yet.
You don’t have to “fix” anything. You don’t even have to understand the inner workings of your pain. For today, it may be enough to stay curious. There are still mornings you haven’t woken up to, people you haven’t met, places you haven’t seen, laughter you haven’t heard, and versions of yourself you haven’t yet become.
Maybe you don’t need to know exactly what you’re staying for yet. Maybe, for now, you’re just staying long enough to figure out.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency or need support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Find additional emergency & crisis resources here.
Lexi Lehman, LCMHCA
Lexi has hands-on experience in helping young clients navigate a variety of challenges such as trauma, anxiety, impulsivity, mood disorders, and attachment concerns. She specializes in working with children ages 3+ and their families in addressing emotion regulation skills, peer relationships, improved communication skills, and reducing the effects of anxiety.
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