Life can throw challenges our way, and we have moments when we can’t find the strength to stay positive. But how to be positive when you don’t feel it inside?
Being positive is a choice we make, and it is within our power to change our perspective and outlook on life, no matter how hard things might seem.
It’s easy to get caught up in negative thinking and let our emotions take over. However, it is possible to train our minds to focus on the positive and be more optimistic. In this article, we’ll explore some tips on how to be positive when you don’t feel it inside.
How to identify negative thinking?
We all have negative thoughts from time to time, but some of us get stuck in a cycle of negative thinking that can be hard to break out of. Negative thinking is simply a form of self-sabotage. It’s a way of convincing yourself you’re not good enough, you can’t succeed, or you don’t deserve happiness.
If you’re not sure if you’re stuck in a negative thinking pattern, here are some common signs to look out for:
- you tend to see the worst in every situation;
- you’re quick to judge and criticise yourself;
- you find it hard to be positive about anything;
- you focus on your failures more than your successes, and;
- you dwell on what’s wrong in your life rather than what’s going right.
If you can relate to any of the above, then it’s likely you’re falling into a negative thinking trap. But don’t worry, there are things you can do to change your thinking patterns and improve your outlook on life.
What happens when you have a positive attitude in life?
What is the impact of having a good attitude in life? You tend to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. You are grateful for what you have instead of always wanting more. You don’t dwell on the negative, but find the silver lining in every cloud.
In short, having a positive attitude can make all the difference in how you feel about yourself and your life. And when you feel good about yourself and your life, it shows in everything you do. You smile more, you’re more likely to take risks, and people are drawn to your optimistic outlook.
There are also a lot of health benefits. According to research, positive thinking can help reduce stress, improve your immune system, and lower your risk of developing heart disease.
Think about the people you know. The ones who are always complaining and seeing the negative in everything are usually not the happiest people, are they? On the other hand, those who focus on the positive and make the best of every situation tend to be the ones with the most fulfilling lives.
There will always be days when we don’t feel our best or when things don’t go as planned. But if we can learn to focus on the positive, it will make all the difference in how we feel and how we react to what life throws our way.
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How to be positive when it feels impossible?
When you’re feeling down, it can be hard to see the positives in life. But there are some things you can do to turn that around.
Let’s look at some tips on how to be positive when you don’t feel it inside:
Acknowledge your feelings – don’t bottle them down
It’s tough when something happens, and you don’t know how to be positive or deal with the emotions you’re feeling. You might bottle them down, trying to ignore how you feel in hopes it will go away. But that usually doesn’t work.
Acknowledge your feelings instead. It’s okay to feel sad, scared, angry, or any other emotion. Sit with your feelings and understand them.
Why are you feeling this way? Let’s say you got laid off from your job. You might be feeling a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, anxiety, and fear. That’s normal.
Understand why you’re feeling those emotions. Are you worried about how you’re going to pay your bills? Do you feel like you’re not good enough? Are you angry at your former employer?
Once you know what’s causing your negative emotions, it will be easier to deal with them. And if you’re still struggling, talk to a friend or family member about what’s going on. They might be able to offer some helpful insight or just be a shoulder to cry on.
Understand that your negative thoughts are thoughts, not reality
Because you have a thought, doesn’t mean it’s true. In fact, a lot of our thoughts are stories we’ve made up in our heads based on our experiences.
And while it’s natural to have negative thoughts from time to time – especially when we’re going through tough times – it’s important to realise they’re not real. Just because you think something doesn’t make it true.
The next time you find yourself having negative thoughts, take a step back and remind yourself they’re just thoughts, not reality. Then, see if you can let them go.
Don’t compare yourself to others – everyone has their unique journey
In today’s social media-obsessed world, it’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. We see people our age with successful careers and happy relationships, and we can’t help but wonder why we’re not there yet.
But the truth is, everyone has their unique journey. And because someone else seems to have it all together, doesn’t mean they do. Everyone has their struggles and challenges, even if they don’t share them with everybody else.
So instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your journey. Where do you want to be in 5 years? What steps do you need to take to get there?
If your dream is to improve your career development, start taking steps towards that goal. If you want to find a partner, start putting yourself out there. And if you’re not sure what you want, that’s okay too. Keep exploring and trying new things until you find something that feels right for you.
And if something doesn’t go as planned, be patient and keep moving forward. If you failed to get that promotion you were hoping for, it doesn’t mean you are a complete failure. If a colleague got it instead, maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. So don’t let it steal yours.
Give yourself time and space to heal – don’t rush the process
When something bad happens, it’s normal to want to move on as quickly as possible. But that’s not always the best thing to do.
Sometimes, you need to give yourself time and space to heal. Don’t rush the process or push down your feelings.
Allow yourself to grieve if you need to. If you’ve lost a loved one, it’s going to take time to heal from that loss. And if you’ve gone through a break-up, it might take some time before you’re ready to date again.
Don’t force yourself to feel better before you’re ready. The healing process takes time, so be patient with yourself.
If you think about it, almost everything worth having takes time. A successful career, a happy relationship, a fulfilling life – none of these things happen overnight. They all take time, effort, and patience.
Be gentle with yourself – accept your flaws and mistakes
It’s easy to be hard on yourself when things go wrong. You might berate yourself for not being smarter, faster, or more skilled. But if you’re too harsh, you’ll only end up feeling worse.
Studies have shown that self-compassion – being kind and understanding towards yourself – is associated with increased mental well-being and resilience.
So, the next time you make a mistake or don’t meet your expectations, go easy on yourself. Accept you’re human and flaws are part of the package.
Instead of beating yourself up, focus on what you can do to improve the situation. By showing yourself a little compassion, you’ll be better equipped to handle life’s challenges.
For example, let’s say you didn’t get the business deal you were hoping for. You might be tempted to think it’s because you’re not good enough. But instead, try to be understanding. Maybe the other party wasn’t ready to make a deal yet, or maybe the timing wasn’t right. There are tons of different reasons why it didn’t work out, and it’s not necessarily because of you.
Focus on what you can do next. What can you do to achieve your goals for work success? What can you learn from this experience? And most importantly, don’t forget to be gentle with yourself.
Find something that brings you joy and stick with it
When it comes to positive thinking, it’s important to find something that brings you joy and stick with it. Whether it’s your favourite hobby, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a walk in nature, savouring a joyful experience can help you stay positive in the face of adversity.
Additionally, it’s helpful to remember everyone has their unique definition of happiness. What brings you joy may not be the same as what brings your best friend joy.
The important thing is to find what works for you and make it a part of your life. When you have something to look forward to, it’s easier to keep a positive outlook even when times are tough.
Do you remember the feeling when you were at the beach with your best friends? Or when you finally got back to hiking and felt the fresh air fill your lungs? These are the moments we live for.
It doesn’t have to be something big or elaborate. Find something that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel good. Then, make time for it every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
In Summary
It’s normal to feel down sometimes. But if you find yourself struggling to stay positive, there are things you can do to improve your outlook on life.
The takeaway from this article is that it is possible to improve your outlook on life by taking some simple yet effective steps. Be patient with yourself, focus on what brings you joy, and accept your mistakes. These tips can help you develop a more positive mindset and achieve your goals.
We can all change our mindset for the better. If you truly believe you can find the secret of happiness and success in life, then you will. If you are afraid of failure and let the negative thoughts take over, then you will most likely not reach your potential.
When you are not sure how to be positive, remember you have the power to choose your mindset. And with practice, it will become easier and more natural for you to think positive thoughts.
So, don’t give up – keep practising, and choose wisely!
About the Author
Oscar Rodriguez is a passionate full-time blogger and a part-time author. In his personal blog OssieRodriguez.com, he writes about software, online influence, and different business models.
