How To Use Hope
This is how you can use your hopeful messages.
- Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and bring your attention to the present moment.
- Repeat the hopeful message to yourself, either silently or out loud.
- As you repeat each hopeful message, picture yourself in the future, enjoying the good things you want. Imagine a world where you feel encouraged, helped, and loved for being your true self.
Be sure to practice hope often, especially when you’re feeling pulled down by the gender dysphoria. As you keep repeating your hopeful messages, you will start to feel more accepting of yourself and have a brighter outlook on your gender identity.
You may notice that as you are thinking about your hopeful messages, some negative thoughts pop up. This is normal!
At these times remember that thoughts are thoughts, they do not define who we are or how we feel. We can notice these negative thoughts and feelings, but we don’t have to let them take charge of us. Instead, you can continue to say your hopeful thoughts or switch to a different coping strategy.
