Hope is all some people feel they have, so they hold on to it even when they can tell all is lost. That’s not faith- it’s a problem. Find out why it is pointless to hold on to hope sometimes and how to let go of false hope and move forward to better things.
Hope. The very word holds power. People tell you to hold onto hope no matter what. They say when times are tough or your efforts seem wasted, if you just hold on to hope for a little bit longer, all your hopes will be fulfilled- but will they? Join SpiritualBlossom to find out why holding on to hope is bad sometimes. Find out exactly what hope is and how it really can help in some situations. It doesn’t always help, though, and we will tell you why. Find out how to know when to give up hope and how to find the strength to give it up when the time calls for it. Most importantly, find out what to do when hope is lost. There is always hope, though- even if it’s not exactly where you thought it was.
What is Hope?
Most simply stated, hope is a sense of optimism that the outcome you want will be the outcome you're going to get. It is belief in possibilities and a feeling of happy anticipation. It means that you trust in a situation, in a relationship, in yourself, or in somebody else. Some people say it is very important to have hope in one thing or another at all times. Other people say hope is a very bad idea because it keeps you in a state of anticipation and it sets you up to be disappointed. When you are hopeful that things will work out though, you tend to feel happier than if you think they won’t.
The American Psychological Association shares reasons why having hope helps, based on studies. One study worked with people who had symptoms of depression. They were instructed to make goals to help improve their symptoms. Ten weeks later, the ones who had created ways to improve their mental health were more likely to get treatment and they reported less severe depression. If you are hopeful for progress, chances are you will be more likely to work toward that progress. If you are not hopeful, you might give up and not try. Read more from the American Psychological Association here: Hope as the antidote
When Hope Helps
Hope can be very helpful in your life. It can keep you going when times are difficult and give you things to look forward to. Hope is helpful when an opportunity is something that's perfect for you. When remaining hopeful makes you happy, that's a good thing.
It Keeps You Going
Let's face it, life can be difficult. It can feel almost impossible to drag yourself out of bed in the morning and face the day if you have nothing to look forward to. If there's nothing that you're trying for, no happy goals to try and achieve, life’s difficulties can feel overwhelming. If say, you're unhappy where you're living, being hopeful about a new place to live can give you the strength to get up and try to find a way to move. If you're planning a trip to see your best friend, being hopeful that the trip will go well can give you the energy to save money for it. Eagerly anticipating a desired outcome will give you the energy and ambition to work toward it. One thing you might be hopeful about is attracting prosperity. Find out how to do that here: The Guide to Prosperities: How to Attract Fortune
This is Perfect for You
The perfect opportunity may seem just out of reach, but when you have found that perfect opportunity, hope will help you to continue working toward it. You may have found the perfect class schedule to help you get that degree that will change your life. Maybe the financial side of it it's just out of reach, but you don't care. Hope that you will accomplish this course of study that will bring positive changes in your life will give you the motivation to keep looking for financial aid until you find it. You may have met the perfect significant other, but they currently live out of town. Hope will give you the strength to find a way to move to town together. Hope helps you maneuver difficulties while you're working toward the right things.
It Makes You Happy
Hope makes some people very happy, and happiness is good for our mental health and our overall health in general. When we are happy, our stress levels are reduced, and it boosts our immune system. It will lower our risks of cardiovascular health problems, including strokes and heart disease and it helps to regulate our blood pressure. Happier people are more likely to be physically active and thus in better health. When we're happy and less stressed, we sleep better, we create more positive energy, and that attracts more people to us. Our relationships are better, our health is better, and our lives are better. For some people, finding happiness is the path they walk in life. Find out what your personal lifepath is here: What is Your Lifepath?
When Hope is Bad
On the other hand, hope isn't always good. When it’s clear that you've grown beyond a situation, hoping that it gets better can be a bad thing. Help can cause you problems in some situations. When you don't want the thing that you're hopeful for anymore, being hopeful can be very bad for you.
You’ve Grown Beyond It
Some people don't know when to give up hope when clearly they've grown beyond a situation. When you're no longer getting a benefit from a job, a place where you live, a relationship, a hobby, or anything at all and nothing will change that, just give up on it. Some people feel that they're so invested in something it would be a shame to let go of it, but the fact is people and things come into our lives for a reason. Once we learn or experience what we're meant to, it's time for a change. So let it go and accept that being hopeful for that is a thing of the past.
It Causes Problems
One of the biggest relationship stressors is trying to change your partner. People say that they're not willing to give up hope that their partner will be a better person, invest more time in their relationship, or take better care of themselves. This creates not only tension between partners, but unrealistic expectations. When something that you're hopeful for creates a financial burden, fights, or any other form of stress, it's causing you problems. When you're unable to solve those problems, there comes a certain point but you have to admit it. Especially when you've fallen out of love, you have to admit it and move on. Find out how here: What to Do When You Fell Out of Love
You Don’t Want It Anymore
There comes a time when you just don't want the things that you were hopeful for anymore. Anytime you try something new you will be very excited about it first. You might discover that things weren't what you were expecting them to be, and certain things might make you stop wanting what you were hopeful for. Your new “hot” significant other’s body odor might turn you off. Your dream job might turn into a nightmare. When you're learning about dog breeds, your favorite breed might end up being too high energy for your lifestyle. Be fair to yourself and give yourself the opportunity to learn about things before you commit. Give up hope if you need to. Not everything that seems alluring is what you will what in your life long-term
When to Give Up Hope
You may feel stubborn and not want to give up, but there are sometimes when you should. When you find out that something really isn't the right thing for you, give up hope. When you try and try and try and things aren't working, give up hope and do what does work. When you get fed up with something, go ahead and give up hope.
It’s Not for You
You grew up admiring the people in your local choir. One day you finally work up the courage to ask them to join. They say yes! The first week that you do rehearsals with them is the most boring week of your life, and you discover that you hate being in a choir. When you try an experience that you were very excited about and you hate it, it's disappointing. However, it is what it is. When an experience or a relationship turns out to be unsuited to you, stop hoping for it to be everything you ever dreamed of- because it isn't. For some people, being in a relationship isn't right. Find out if you're better off single here: Happy Singles - Is Being Single Better?
It’s Not Working
Especially in relationships, when things are not working, you have to accept it. Sexually, things might be working, but personality wise if you butt heads, you're not going to be able to work things out. If you're not earning enough money at your job and you get offered a higher paying one, give up hope at that job and move into a job that might be better for you. If you've tried for years to decorate a particular room in a particular way and you don't like it, why are you still trying? Sometimes things don't work out no matter how hard we try and no matter how much we want them to. Admit it and give up hope.
You’re Fed Up
It doesn't matter if there are infinite possibilities if you're downright fed up. If you're no longer interested, if you no longer care, or if you have just been frustrated to the point that you don't want to deal with it anymore, it's okay to give up hope. Some struggles are worth it. If you don't think they are, then they're not. Maybe people will tell you not to be a quitter and keep trying, but when you are emotionally and mentally done, just give up hope. You have permission. Are you fed up with a toxic job? Find out how to handle that here: What to Do About a Toxic Job Environment
How to Give Up Hope
Accepting that it's time to give up hope is one thing, but how do you do that? Easy. Accept things for the way that they are, emotionally disengage, and redirect your energy to better things.
Accept It
The hardest thing to do is accept that you have to give up hope. Once you do that the rest is easy. Well it's easier than accepting things for the way that they are. When you've done all you can, or you just don't want things anymore, it's time to give up hope. There are other things waiting for you that are more well suited to you than this scenario is, and that's alright.
Emotionally Disengage
Letting go of the emotional attachment that you have to something that you've been hopeful for is the key to stepping away from it. Our hopes can keep us invested in a scenario far longer than it's viable. Once you have relinquished your emotional attachment to hoping for something, giving up hope is much simpler. Learn ten techniques to control emotions here: The Ten Best Ways to Control Emotions
Redirect Your Energy
Don't limit yourself to just a few things in life. Some things will work out, and some things won't no matter how hard you try. It's all right to be disappointed and it's alright to stop trying anything temporarily until the disappointment fades. Just don't give up on new things, new experiences, new relationships, and new hope. Life will offer you limitless opportunities. You just have to be open to them. If you have to give up hope on something, open yourself to something else. Amazing things you never dreamed possible are waiting for you!
Now What?
Some people feel like once they've given up hope, there's nothing left for them in life. That's simply not true. Think of a time when you weren't trying for what you had to give up hope on. You had other things in your life didn't you? Of course you did. You will have more things in your life in the future also. If you had to give up on a relationship, it hurts. That doesn't change the fact that you currently have other relationships with friends and family. If you had to give up on a job that you're not going to get, you will get another job. If you hinge hopes for your entire life on one thing only, you will be sorely disappointed even if things work out exactly the way you hope they will. So, move on to new things and new hope!
When hope is lost, some people fear they will have nothing left, but they are wrong. Holding onto hope for lost causes isn’t brave. It’s a waste of your time, hard work, and emotional energy. The best way to be successful and happy in life is to hope for the best, but plan for the worst anyways. The worst is when you have to abandon hope for something, but don’t dismay. You might be hurt or disappointed, but life is filled with all kinds of wonderful experiences. Letting go of a relationship that isn’t working out, or a dead dream will give you the freedom to move forward in life to things you can enjoy. So lose hope sometimes, and be open to new hope for new things.
Do you wonder if it’s time to give up hope and focus on other things? One of our psychics can help you to see if it’s time to try harder, or move on to hoping for something else.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for The Green Egg Magazine and PaganPages.Org emag.
