Are you a person who is inclined to see the brighter side of things, even in dire situations? Or do you oftentimes tip to the other side and wallow in negativity?
No matter which category we fall into – pessimist or optimist, we all want to experience the life we’ve dreamed of and continuously strive to achieve. But life is volatile. It can be a crooked path with bumpy roads ahead. Our plans don’t always go as planned and, in some instances, completely stop us in our tracks. Bracing ourselves for all challenging circumstances, and having the ability to see their sometimes hidden beauty, can help to propel us forward, despite the setbacks.
The ability to rewire our minds and change our perspective into a positive one is not as farfetched as it seems. Our mind is fully trainable to be optimistic, all we need is a little patience and persistence to tweak some of our routines.
The following are four steps to train yourself to be more positive.
Start Your Day On a Positive Note
If you want to experience positivity throughout your day, start thinking positive things the moment you wake up. This habit increases your energy and helps to fulfill your goals for the day. Envisioning completing your tasks and focusing on your passion sets up your mind to believe it can do so. It also builds your courage and determination to achieve things you may have thought weren’t previously possible. Write down, in detail, all the things you want to do before bed. Your subconscious mind can better remember each of your aspirations for the new day.
Immerse Yourself In a Positive Environment
You absorb the energy of your surroundings. That’s why changing and eliminating the things that breed negativity can positively impact your life. Shifting things is not only limited to your workplace, home or routine but is also applicable to any interpersonal relationships that create toxicity around you.
Birds of the same feather flock together. It may be challenging to let go of people you have known for a long time, but if the same people cost us peace and happiness, it might be a sign to drift away. Slowly uprooting the deeply embedded effects of negativity takes a long time and sometimes involves arduous effort. Connecting ourselves with vibrant people who share their positive energy with us instantly converts our pessimism into optimism. Choose and surround yourself with people who support your dreams and boost your energy.
Do More of What You Are Passionate About
Focusing our attention on the things we value most helps us create sacred spaces of inspiration in our sometimes exhausting and fast-paced schedules. Go for a jog, read a book, watch a great movie, paint a canvas, or do any activity that inspires or relaxes you. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, as long as you feel good doing it. Scheduling time for your hobbies restores your energy, giving you a genuine feeling of happiness. It contributes to our positivity by allowing us to free ourselves and make time to do something we truly love and enjoy.
Notice Your Train of Thought
Sometimes, we are so distracted in the moment that our thoughts slip into future and past challenges or thoughts without us even noticing. We are unaware of how these thoughts affect our thinking, especially if we delve into a seemingly pessimistic idea. Spending time listening to our thoughts and how we acknowledge them reveals the areas we need to improve in ourselves. Take note of every situation where you find yourself garnering negative thoughts. You can also ask your partner or co-worker to observe it for you. Once you read the list of things you feel pessimistic about, you can reframe these thoughts into positive ones instead of self-criticizing. For instance, if your phone turns off from a low battery, think of it as freedom from social media and a moment to admire nature. Do it as often as you can and assess yourself if anything has changed. You’ll soon find yourself surrounded by positivity both inside and out!
