What Gives You Hope in Life?
Each one of us needs hope. When times turn dark, hope pulls you through. Hope also gives you a goal to strive for in life. By imagining a hopeful, better future, we give ourselves reason to get through each day. The key to it all is finding out what gives you hope in life. Sometimes we an do this on our own, sometimes we need support.
While the impact of hope is universal, what brings us hope is not. Some people see hope in how people interact with others, such as random acts of kindness. Others find hope in the overall movement by mankind toward a more inclusive future that offers a better life for all.
One thing is certain. No matter who you are, hope is important because it gives your life meaning.
Find What Brings Hope In Life
There are times when it can become hard to find anything in the world around us that gives us hope. Those looking for reasons to despair about life can find plenty of things to fuel that fire. A world of horrors is just a few mouse clicks away. But that is not the pathway to hope or happiness.
Instead, it’s better to find what gives you hope in life and place your focus there. You cannot cure all the ills of the world. But you can make your corner of it a place of kindness, hopefulness and idealism.
But where to start and how to stay motivated during the journey? These ideas can help you find what gives you hope in life by putting you in the right frame of mind.
Revisit Nature
A study published in Preventive Medicine Reports found that adults who spend six hours or more each day watching TV or looking at a computer were more likely to have moderate to severe depression. That likely does not surprise many people.
Most people know instinctively that time spent outdoors tends to elevate their mood. Going for nature walks or planting a garden can help improve mental health. Not to mention, they can help people find hope in the infinite cycle and beauty of nature.
Tend to Living Things
Caring for a plant, a pet, or even a sourdough starter can awaken hope. These quiet relationships remind us that growth takes time, and that we have the power to nurture life.
Watching something thrive under your care can reignite faith in your ability to make a difference. It may also inspire a sense of curiosity and give you something to look forward to.
What will happen next — a new bloom on your plant? A new milestone for your puppy? Your best bread loaf yet? The possibilities are endless.
Find Your Passion: Creativity For Creativity’s Sake
Art, music, cooking, dance, writing — those creative acts that are done for expression, not perfection can lift even the lowest spirits.
Creating without judgment reminds us that joy and beauty exist beyond outcomes. The act itself is hopeful: it says, “I believe something meaningful can come from me.”
Making time for what brings you joy, not for productivity, but simply because you’re passionate about it. This simple act is a quiet, but powerful way to welcome hope back into your life.
Revisit Your Sacred Memories
Instead of dwelling on past pain, explore your sacred memories. Sacred memories are the ones that made your heart swell and remain intensely impactful even after a long time has passed.
These meaningful experiences, big or small, remind you that life has held beauty, connection, and light. They remind you why hope is so important. Make a gentle ritual of remembering them. Let them become quiet anchors that steady you when the present feels uncertain. They can serve as proof that hope has found you before, and can find you again.
Get A Sign: Enjoy What The World Offers
When you feel uncertain or untethered, try gently asking life for a sign. It’s practicing a moment of trust that you are seen and supported, even when you can’t see the whole path ahead. When you settle into that feeling of security, you can begin to appreciate the world’s beauty. Let yourself be surprised by it.
Step away from the noise and lean into wonder: visit a gallery, listen to a symphony, walk through a blooming garden, or people-watch in the park. These experiences are not frivolous, they give you a chance to be inspired. Sometimes, the sign you’re asking for is already there, wrapped in a moment of beauty, waiting for you to notice.
Spend Time With Friends: Witness Someone Else’s Breakthrough
As the saying goes, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.” When you’re in the company of hopeful, kind-hearted people, their light has a way of rubbing off on you. Those in need often turn to their family for support, so seek out those who believe in growth, healing, and practicing self-improvement.
Witnessing someone else’s growth can awaken a deep sense that change is possible for you, too. Their breakthrough becomes a reflection of your own hidden strength, reminding you that hope is contagious, especially when shared.
Practice Kindness
If you truly reap what you sow, then acts of kindness and helping others should become part of your life. That includes taking the time to truly listen to the people in your life as well as doing acts of kindness for strangers you meet along the way. Kindness leads to more kindness.
These are some of the ways you can find what gives you hope in life. As with most things, it takes acts and deeds, not just words and thought. The reward is a more hopeful life. That’s one of the best rewards that life offers.
Seek Support: Find Hope Through Connection and Care
Sometimes, hope feels far away, buried under the weight of grief, stress, or exhaustion. In those moments, you don’t have to carry it all alone. Working with a counselor or mental health professional can be a profound act of self-kindness.
At Hope Grows, we believe healing happens when you’re met with care that honors you. Our licensed counselors work alongside you, offering encouragement, practical tools, and gentle guidance on the journey toward hope. Whether you’re navigating caregiving, loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help you find steady ground again.
Hope doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes, it enters quietly — through a conversation, a moment of clarity, or a shared breath with someone who understands.
If You’re in Crisis, You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or overwhelming despair, please know that help is available.
- Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Caring, trained counselors are available 24/7 to listen and offer free, confidential support — for yourself or someone you’re concerned about.
- You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line volunteer counselor any time, day or night.
- If you’re outside the U.S., please visit Befrienders Worldwide to find emotional support in your country.
- In emergencies, please call 911 or your local emergency number if it’s safe to do so.
If you’re helping someone else, stay with them if you can. If you’re not in the same space, stay on the phone until help arrives. If it’s safe, gently remove anything that could cause harm.
You are not alone. There are people who care and want to help you find your way through this moment.