Keeping a Positive Mindset
Do you think staying positive is challenging?
I assume that most of us would answer “YES” to that question. Life can become challenging at unexpected times.. and then it feels like everything is falling apart. Let’s just say 2020 has been one of those years with unexpected turns.
This year truly has tested me personally with keeping a positive mindset. First, it was the last months of my senior year of college being turned upside down due to COVID 19, then my grandma losing her battle with Pancreatic Cancer in March, then the news of not having a graduation, a few other deaths in my family, plus little things like breaking my phone (LOL), not being able to go to the gym etc….. it felt like one thing after another was falling apart for me.
The hardest part was being isolated.…I know I wasn’t fully alone during the pandemic because I had my parents, my brother and my dogs in the house. But, I felt so alone during that time. I needed my friends presence more than ever during that time and I could not be with them. The months of March-May I really felt the challenge of keeping a positive mindset which was a quality I have always prided myself on.
Let me just say, I know that a lot more things could have gone wrong during that time for me. But, I’m grateful for my life and everything that has happened because it has made me stronger.
The main lesson that I have learned this year is that creating a positive mindset is an endless project. Keeping a positive mindset doesn't mean you go through days where you are not sad, or negative. For me during those sad and negative times I think of the aspects in life that I’m thankful for and think of the positive aspects of the situation. You all might be like YA OKAY EASIER SAID THEN DONE!! Well you’re not wrong… But like I said keeping a positive mindset is an endless project. You have to make it a part of your life.
Think of something you are trying to become excellent at. For example, let’s say you’re trying to get really good at a sport like basketball. PRACTICE IS KEY!! You’re not going to be AMAZING if you only practice once a week. You need to practice as often as you can!! It is just like anything in life. Positivity is a practice. Make it a part of your life!!! Using affirmations is a way of practicing a positive mindset.
Here are 10 examples of negative thoughts and positive affirmations to respond with instead.
One last thought is don't confuse pleasure with happiness. Pleasure is good obviously in the right context but it doesn't bring you happiness. Often times things that are not pleasurable at all bring us happiness. Think about it like this...starting your fitness journey or getting yourself to go to the gym can be challenging and not pleasurable until after you have completed your session. Don't get me wrong, I am IN LOVE with going to the gym and training. When I first started lifting it was a challenge, but I realized how much happiness it brought me mentally and physically.
5 ways to handle your negative thoughts:
(1) Be conscious of your thoughts. When you realize you are having negative thoughts stop yourself and replace that thought with a positive affirmation. It is easy to get stuck in your thoughts. But, realizing when you have these negative thoughts that is the first step to replacing them.
(2) Find the things that make you feel alive. Whether it is a sport, art, lifting, dancing, reading, writing, prayer/meditation, the list could keep going on….GET AFTER IT !!!! Keep yourself busy with the things that will bring you happiness!!! But, don’t forget to feel your feelings. Just because you are feeling negative does not mean you are not a positive person. We are human. We are not perfect.
(3) Avoid triggers. For example, negative people. If someone is making you feel bad about yourself.. REMOVE THEM. You want people who are supporting you and making you feel loved. If you surround yourself with people who are always focusing on the negative or are just mean for no reason little do you know it is going to affect the way you act and perceive situations.
(4) Get your rest. Lack of sleep can effect your mood and the way you think.
(5) Listen to Music. For me I’m constantly listening to music. It always brightens my mood. Plus a study says that listening to music 25 minutes per a day can bring about a great mood change and have a positive effect on your day.
Affirmation: I am grounded. I am loved. I am enough.
I hope you all know that you were created for happiness! Wishing you all a day filled with joy and blessings.
Love, Rachel xo 🖤