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Welcome to the unofficial warm blanket of the internet where pandemic stress is put on hold for as long as you’re there and everything looks just a little bit better. The subreddit called r/GetMotivated welcomes you with a soul-soothing “We’re glad you made it.” Because they know how hard it is to escape the harrowing reality of sad, fake, and plain ‘can’t take it no more’ news.

But here, a whopping 17 million members are sharing all things motivation that promise to “help you finally get up and do what you *know* you need to do.” And sometimes it’s all that you need.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight to the land of pure wholesomeness where strangers who share these motivational posts suddenly become your only support group.

#2

It Always Gets Better. Just Keep Pressing Forward

It Always Gets Better. Just Keep Pressing Forward

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The world has been one heck of a ride lately. And even though the cursed year of 2020 is already behind our backs, the new year hasn’t been as forgiving as we hoped. With coronavirus mutations, political turmoil and on-off quarantines and restrictions around the globe, many feel drained like never before.

But although the start hasn’t been that fresh, there’s always a way to keep yourself positive, mindful, and motivated. These three words may sound like something reserved for yoga people, but trust me, it’s all easier than we think. So to find out the secrets of navigating through life when it’s a pain in the rear, Bored Panda reached out to the positivity coach and author of “Positive Young Minds” Lynn How.

Lynn told us that in difficult times, although she felt she was functioning normally, her “resilience to sudden changes or unexpected issues cropping up were suddenly a big thing.” It turns out that without inner strength, our resilience in periods of crisis can be impaired.

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#4

Sometimes Ya Just Have To Ask

Sometimes Ya Just Have To Ask

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you! I work at an aviation college and we have aircraft in our hangar for the students to learn on. When we have a visitor you can just see the look in their eyes "I really REALLY would love to get into that F16 cockpit!" It generally takes very little coaxing from me to make them jump in. You could light up rooms with the smiles - and of course plenty of pictures get taken (as long as no classified info is included).

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“Sometimes to add and build that inner strength, you need to let those emotions out as opposed to burying them deep inside (a popular coping mechanism). On many occasions, burying your emotions (which I describe affectionately as Ostrich Syndrome) can be more detrimental in the long term than letting them out.”

According to Lynn, inner strength is the ability to keep getting up when you get knocked down. Incredibly, we all are born with it and it’s the skill we learn in the first few years of our lives when those neural pathways are still developing. If they’re not developed at that time, “then you may find yourself less resilient as an adult.”

#5

You Will Either Find A Way, Or An Excuse

You Will Either Find A Way, Or An Excuse

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Anilda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am color blind and so many said "you can't follow a creative career"... well I decided not to listen...I am a successful graphic designer and I teach art at a college!

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#6

Set Goals And Reach Them

Set Goals And Reach Them

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so inspiring! It's never to late to pursue your dreams! :)

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#7

The Last Two Runners In The Pittsburgh Marathon Not Letting Each Other Quit. Obtain Your Goal No Matter What

The Last Two Runners In The Pittsburgh Marathon Not Letting Each Other Quit. Obtain Your Goal No Matter What

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ran a marathon a few years back. For non-athletes like me, it's very challenging, very strenuous and many people don't even cross the finish line. So these two are heroes for accomplishing something that most people can't. "Even if you run a mile, it's a mile more than if you never run at all"

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“All is not lost though, as increasingly, we are finding out more information through recent research about the brain's neuroplasticity.” Lynn explained further: “In simplistic terms, this is the brain’s ability to rewire itself with the correct input e.g. positive reinforcement and therapeutic treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy.”

That means that even though we may not be necessarily resilient in the first place, our brain has the capacity to “rewire itself,” which is essentially to learn resilience even though it never really had it. Very effective methods to do so are positive affirmations and mindfulness practices that everyone can practice at home.

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#10

Arnie Says Take It One Step At A Time

Arnie Says Take It One Step At A Time

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#12

If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change

If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eating with friends and eating alone are both fine. Some days a girl has to take herself out...go to three different places because she can’t make up her mind and has a big appetite. There’s no one or thing to consider except if you should bother wearing pants in the first place.

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Many people feel like mindful meditation is not for them. Even experts are not immune to that. “I would have nominated myself last year with the ‘person least likely to meditate’ award, but things have changed. I am an over analyzer,” Lynn told us.

“However, now I have set aside 15–20 minutes a day to just 'be.’ I have trained myself to sit in silence with an empty mind. It took a while as when you start to do this, you just think about everything you haven’t done that day (often described as your monkey mind!).”

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#15

I Think Talking To Ourselves Like How The Babysitter Did With The Girl, And Having Fun Would Be Good For All Ages!

I Think Talking To Ourselves Like How The Babysitter Did With The Girl, And Having Fun Would Be Good For All Ages!

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#17

Being Human

Being Human

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like this. I hope that if I am ever in that position, I will build a Guinness record table.

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#19

This Could Be You. Never Let A "Disability" Or Anyone Else Hold You Back. Achieve

This Could Be You. Never Let A "Disability" Or Anyone Else Hold You Back. Achieve

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After training to simply be, Lynn said she now can sit with an empty head with zero thoughts and she describes the experience as “very cathartic.” The positivity coach said that “If you don’t fancy the silence, there are thousands of guided meditations on YouTube,” but most importantly, assign some time to yourself.

#20

Apparently I Don’t Need To Pay Money For A Therapist Because Random Instagram Posts Are Calling My Ass Out For Free

Apparently I Don’t Need To Pay Money For A Therapist Because Random Instagram Posts Are Calling My Ass Out For Free

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#23

On This Day In 1943. Give Yourself To A Cause

On This Day In 1943. Give Yourself To A Cause

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#26

No Matter How Tough Your Life Is, There Is Always Time For Change

No Matter How Tough Your Life Is, There Is Always Time For Change

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#27

Sometimes You Just Have To Open The Cabinet

Sometimes You Just Have To Open The Cabinet

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pull out the cabinet, open slightly with someone sliding a pool debris net to catch it or just something that would keep it in its place. Grammar and spelling bad now, brain broken

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#28

Never Give Up On Your Dream

Never Give Up On Your Dream

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elStiJneriNO
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i bet there are thousands of pictures similar to the left picture. But there is only one schooling. Pick your rivals carefully

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#29

Helping Those Around You Will Benefit You Greatly

Helping Those Around You Will Benefit You Greatly

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#30

True Teacher

True Teacher

A science teacher from rural Kenya who donates most of his salary to help poorer students has been crowned the world's best teacher and awarded a $1 million prize, beating 10,000 nominations from 179 countries.

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#31

Please Live By This, No Matter What

Please Live By This, No Matter What

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! Some people are just hanging by a thread. Please don't be the one to push them over the cliff.

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#32

My Recovery From Addiction - My Name Is Hunter Michael Shepard And I Am An Addict In Long Term Recovery. If You’re Struggling Today Just Know There Is Hope. Put The Dope Down And F**king Crush Life. You’re Worth It

My Recovery From Addiction - My Name Is Hunter Michael Shepard And I Am An Addict In Long Term Recovery. If You’re Struggling Today Just Know There Is Hope. Put The Dope Down And F**king Crush Life. You’re Worth It

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#33

We All Have To Start Somewhere

We All Have To Start Somewhere

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#34

Rebirth

Rebirth

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#35

Guiding Your Way Out

Guiding Your Way Out

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s okay to give yourself some downtime, but it’s important to know/realize when to get up/ get help/ start pulling yourself together. It’s a very narrow and incomplete view of struggling and pulling yourself out of that place. Please comment and add to this. The tools I use may not work for another person and it may not be helpful to me for the next funk I get into, so I’d like to learn and have more in my arsenal. I have begun hitting the gym again, wearing some lingerie/dresses, eating and visiting people I trust and worth the risk (no immune compromised or in direct contact of such a person), and hopefully catch up on some reading and checking out art exhibits. Communication is exhausting but worth it for the right people; same goes for vulnerability.

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#36

In 2006 My Boyfriend Asked Me An Epic Painting For His Birthday. 10 Years Later I Decided It Was Time To Finally Do What I Really Wanted. I Quit My Old Job And Started To Learn How Tho Paint. I Never Stoped Since Then! And I Painted Him Updated Versions Over The Years

In 2006 My Boyfriend Asked Me An Epic Painting For His Birthday. 10 Years Later I Decided It Was Time To Finally Do What I Really Wanted. I Quit My Old Job And Started To Learn How Tho Paint. I Never Stoped Since Then! And I Painted Him Updated Versions Over The Years

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#37

Time Flies - Do What You Love

Time Flies - Do What You Love

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Iggy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father started a degree course when he retired. He was the happiest I'd ever seen him. I was/am very proud of him. Don't let age hold you back.

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#39

Never Give Up On Healthy Habits

Never Give Up On Healthy Habits

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Ola Polowczyk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! Another good one is: "Workout because you love your body, not because you hate it"

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#42

Be Intentional With What You Think About

Be Intentional With What You Think About

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#48

This Trucker Who Takes His Weight Rack With Him To Work Out At Truck Stops Makes No Excuses!

This Trucker Who Takes His Weight Rack With Him To Work Out At Truck Stops Makes No Excuses!

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kjorn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i mean when you have 10 hours downtime and nothing to do, better do something

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#49

For All The "Failures, Disappointments, And Screwups" Out There

For All The "Failures, Disappointments, And Screwups" Out There

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#50

How Bad Do You Want It

How Bad Do You Want It

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John Topper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My problem with this is that it is naive and fully ignores reality. In reality, sometimes doors are slammed shut in our face. Real bravery is choosing another path, not clawing at the closed door.

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Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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