Negative mindsets are undeniably destructive and possess the power to ruin your quality of life – but only if you allow it. While we sometimes make unpleasant mistakes or experience difficult circumstances, we should never let their impact destroy us. Therefore, we need to implement the following eight ways in our lives to overcome a negative mindset:
Start the day right by kick-starting a good mood
The morning you have can set the tone for most of the day. If you constantly wake up feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and unhappy to rise – most likely you feel the weight of that bad mood even after you leave the house every day. Instead of expecting to start each day on an aggravated note, make an effort to establish a relaxing morning routine that eases you into the day, thus making you more energized, self-aware, and willing to be productive. Some rituals to include in a morning routine involve reciting positive affirmations and meditation.
Focus on your positive attributes
Instead of highlighting your flaws or identifying yourself as inferior, say positive and true things about yourself. For example, you work hard at your job, you’re honest, and you hit the gym and eat healthy every day. You aren’t being arrogant in any way! Your positive qualities and characteristics are incredible things and undercutting them is a disservice to yourself.
Keep track of your negative thought patterns
In order to eradicate a negative mindset and thought pattern, you must recognize and acknowledge that you have them in the first place. After a difficult situation or mistake, make a mental note of the emotions and reactions you experienced during them. Reflecting on your actions and becoming aware of them enables you to act more rationally and maturely the next time a similar situation arises.
Stop comparing yourself to others
Comparing yourself to others does nothing but make you feel jealous and unsatisfied with your life. Everyone has their own unique experiences and frankly – it is impossible to live someone else’s life because we are all vastly different from one another. Direct your energy into focusing on and improving circumstances within your control because at the end of the day, comparing yourself to others is always tedious and unnecessarily exhausting.
Practice gratitude
As human beings, we have a natural tendency to feel unsatisfied with ourselves and the things we possess. However, this constant dissatisfaction can eventually lead to developing selfishness, a sense of entitlement, and even depression. Therefore, appreciate what you have in your life: loving people, a home, the ability to eat three meals a day, and working in a professional job that provides income. We take these relationships and circumstances for granted each day because we expect them to exist without question. Refusing to be grateful for good things or people in your life and neglecting their impact completely devalues their genuine worth and significance.
Surround your external environment with positive influences
Your external environment includes the situations you put yourself in and your relationships. Choose to sustain relationships with people who truly have your best interest in mind and always avoid childish drama. You have enough to worry about, and unnecessary and negative external factors deserve no place in your life.
Go on more technology and social media detoxes
In this society, technology addictions are common because we are glued to our phones and laptops. When was the last time you actually caught up with a friend in person? In conjunction with technology, another culprit that has taken a toll on mental well-being is social media: people post their accomplishments, material things, and interesting experiences on it – which as a result, can make you feel that your life is lacking in some way thanks to some impossible digital standard. No one lives a perfect life, even if they share posts or pictures that make you believe otherwise. When the opportunity arises, leave your phone on silent and skip out on logging into social media for a day. Connect with others in person, read a book, or get some fresh air. Doing so gives you room to breathe from the illusion of social media life and prevents you from relying on technology 24/7.
Stop exaggerating the caliber of problems
Yes, mistakes happen, and they do negatively impact both yourself and others. However, that doesn’t give you an excuse to beat yourself up about it and drown yourself with self-criticism. When you exaggerate the seriousness of problems or mistakes, the action completely distorts your sense of reality and makes things worse than they actually are. Therefore, learn to distinguish what is truly an issue of concern versus a passing event.
Overcoming a negative mindset does not happen overnight, nor should you expect it to be something that will be instantly gratified. Life is inevitably difficult at times, but only you have the ability to make the most out of negative experiences and not let them get the best of you.
