Ask Lemmy

Worse things have happened to better people.

From Lord of the Rings: "Not all who wander are lost."

From the Old Kingdom Series: "Does the walker choose the path, or does the path choose the walker?"

It’s got to be true and uplifting.

One of the most effective for me has been “I can make my life a little better today”.

I just keep repeating that when I have nothing in the tank, and it helps me find a little more.

I made it through 100% of all the bad days, weeks and months in my life so far. I will also make it through the ones that have yet to come.

...and on my more cynical days, this follow-up:

And if, one day, I won't survive a bad day, then it is not my f[%$]ng problem anymore.

I tried to have a more positive mantra, but eventually realized that sheer spite can be a powerful motivator in bad times, even more so than trying to stay "nice" to the rest of the world.

I can't go on. I'll go on.

(Samuel Beckett)

swearing like an injured sailor under my breath

If you are going through some shit, keep going.

"I'm working on it." when I feel like things are where I want them to be, but they're gradually getting there, it makes it seem okay, since I'm actively working towards a goal. This could be my weightloss, managing my depression, cleaning the house, or going through endless emails. It helps to know that it's fine that it's not perfect or great yet, but I'm working on it.

Generally just "it'll be over soon"

But not in a super depressivt way, just when I'm super bored or waiting for something or in a tight spot working on an issue I just kinda zone out and imagine myself looking back on this while relaxing.

Hard times are never permanent.

Don't worry about things you can't change.

Amor fati.

Hasa Diga Eebowai

*shrug shoulders*
Eh…

I don’t have the vocabulary for a good mantra like most of you. But a shoulder shrug and a “what are you gonna do about it” kind of noise is enough for me.

1. Just keep swimming

2. Pain is life - trevor cadieu

3. Be your best you as long as you can; then be a right bastard.

Tomorrow will be better; even if it's just not today.

The closest I come is "Calgon, take me away."

Living in the "self esteem" part of Maslow's pirimid when you are battling basic needs aka allergies, sleep, dehydration, dimentia, etc is a good way to be depressed. Focus on preservation of assets and restoring basic functions.

Simple - "Everything will be ok"

Never been wrong

Yet

One I like from Malazan Book of the Fallen: "I am not yet done." The mantra of a man who's duty it was to bear the souls of the fallen for his faith as it crushed him.

"it's not supposed to be easy all the time"

Tough titties.

I have two:
Way back when I was 16, I worked as a host at a busy restaurant, I would get really stressed when we had a long line at the door (the wait would easily get up to 1 hour on weekends), and I just started repeating, "you can only do what you can do, you can't do any more". As someone who has always really struggled with the need to please everyone all the time, it's really helpful when I'm running busy events (I work as an events manager now) or when anything is approaching FUBAR because of things beyond my control.

On a broader, life-changes perspective, I always loved a quote from The Riches (said by the actor now known as Suzy Eddie Izzard),
"Life's a river kid, you gotta go where it takes you."
Its helped a very risk-adverse me take some huge leaps and I've not regretted any of them.

Thæs ofereode Thisses swa mæg

That was overcome So may this be.

From Deors lament. A Middle English poem.

Seems a little weird to make your life mantra a meme phrase anyways.

Mine is the motto from my high school lacrosse team, of all things. I was 15, an angsty teenager, the team sucked and lost most our games. But our coach was relentlessly positive. The motto was a Latin phrase that roughly translates to "if you're going to do something, commit to it". Basically, no half ass efforts. That stuck with me all the way through until 11 years later when I had it incorporated into a tattoo design.

Whatever intrinsic motivation you pick, it's gotta have a little more meaning to you than being the flavor of the month on the internet, or it will always lose its magic.

Yes Exists. (to the tune of The Chemical Brothers - The Test)

I heard my partner's dad working on some IKEA patio furniture or something in his backyard when he messed something up and yelled, "Nothing's ever easy!" In the moment, it was hilarious. Then it was kind of sad. Then it was true. Many years later that shit still sticks with me. Nothing ever is fucking easy. And any time you feel like you're getting a bit too sure of yourself or when you need to keep in mind everything you've gotten through so far, it's good to remind yourself of that.

From one of Patton Oswald's stand up specials, he shares his late wife's mantra, as a devout atheist: "It's chaos. Be kind." Nothing means anything, nothing happens for a reason, things just happen, they only have the meaning we bring to them, be kind.

Get back up.

Above all, no matter how many times you get hit, can you get back up? --Gwen Stacy, Into the Spider-Verse

"Right now" is forever. It's always "right now". So, don't let the past weigh you down and don't let the future trip you up. Live in the moment.

"I have to get past this, why not now"

Can't stop won't stop.

"I am already dead" and "They are not your friends"