Hey there! This post is part of my series A Year of Positivity, each month I add one new post into the series that will help both of us keep on living life with a positive attitude.
Sometimes I sucked into a vortex of negativity. Most of the time it’s my own fault (more like every single time) and I beat myself up over it. Does that ever happen to you?
Here’s what happens to me: I let a situation (that I have no control over) ruin my mood. I stress about it. I talk about and I don’t stop thinking about it.
And it gets to me.
Big time.
If you’re still reading, I’m thinking you sometimes struggle with staying positive too.
Maybe you have someone in your life who is a negative-Nancy and you’re starting to feel that way too. Or maybe you are the negative-Nancy.
Or you’ve lost your job. Or had a huge life-changing event happen.
Either way. Whatever situation you are in, I want to tell you, it’s normal to feel blah, to feel sad, to feel negative. Sometimes.
If this is you every single day, that’s not a good thing.
And you might want to reach out to others for help if you can’t snap out of it.
Personally, I am not a natural at being positive every day. In fact, that’s the whole reason I started A Year of Positivity series. I wanted to grow towards being more positive and happy.
How To Stay Positive When You Feel Like You Can’t
1. Stop comparing yourself, your work, your life.
I truly believe comparison is the thief of joy.
When you compare yourself to someone else you are robbing yourself of happiness! Don’t do that to yourself.
Comparison creates pain whether you want it to or not.
I’ve found that practicing gratitude for everything and everyone in my life is a great way to combat the comparison trap. I either write down what I’m grateful for or I pray and thank God.
2. Talk to someone you trust and get a reality check.
My trusted person is my husband. He knows me. He can tell when I want to vent and when I really need advice. And he’s not afraid to tell me the truth. He’ll tell me when I’m being too sensitive, when he thinks I need to get over something and most importantly, he’ll tell me when I’m wrong.
I’m not going to lie. It’s hard to hear the truths he speaks sometimes. But, I know he is telling me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear.
It’s important to get a reality check from someone who is going to tell you how it is. Not someone who is going to agree with everything you say.
Why?
‘Cause we’re human. We make mistakes and we need people to call us out on it sometimes. Otherwise, how will we ever grow?
One more thing, be prepared to hear the truth and don’t be hurt. Learn from it. Once you talk out your issue, let it go and don’t keep talking about your troubles.
Concentrate on your joys!
3. Get with people who are encouraging, make a new friend if you have to!
If you’re like me, and you can easily get sucked into negativity, you might want to consider stepping back from the people in your life who are ALWAYS negative.
I feel like it’s okay to take a break from people, especially if they are not encouraging. Life is too short to be bogged down with everyone else’s self-esteem problems.
This post, by Pam has great tips on How to Make New Friends.
I’m not telling you to drop all your friends and start over. I am saying make sure you spend your time with people who are motivating instead of pessimistic.
There’s this saying to consider: ” You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with, choose carefully.”
Staying Positive–One More Thing.
Staying positive is all about your mindset. Your attitude. You can change your day. You can change your life.
Don’t just wish things to change and don’t keep doing the same things every day and keep hoping for a change. It’s not gonna happen.
Fix your eyes on positivity, on good things. Everything else will fall into place.
Let’s practice some positive thinking–tell me one good thing that’s happened to you this week!
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Each week I'll send you the latest Resource Page. In it, you'll find
- Handy tips for focusing on positivity throughout your week.
- Tricks for getting your kids to listen to your every word (just kidding,Girl-- I'm still working on getting my kids to listen!) But I will send you fun activity ideas for you and your kids to do together.
- Useful tools that I come across, like meal planning ideas and such!
Hey Crystal! love this post because I sometimes get sucked into the negativity. It’s so true that when you stop comparing yourself to others, you will start living a more positive life. Surrounding yourself with family and friends who loves you and only bring joy into your life is a great way to leave out any negativity that you may have. I’m also practicing to be more positive and to have a more positive life, it’s so important!
I agree Ros Emely, it is so important to live life with a positive attitude. I don’t like thinking of all the days I wasted by thinking negatively!
Yes! I was that Negative Nancy but over the past year I’ve been working really hard on seeing the positive side of things. I’m not always successful, I’m envious of those people but I’ve definitely made huve improvements. The week just started BUT something good that has happened is that we had a stress-free morning with no struggles with my daughter about getting ready for the day. For me thats a huge thing to be grateful for, especially on a Monday. Have a great week! ?
Hi Tasha, I used to be that Negative Nancy too. Like you, I’m still working on being positive every day. I’m so glad you had a stress free morning, that’s especially important for a Monday!!
I fall into the comparison trap too often, so I love that quote!
Akaleistar recently posted…Mindfulness with Plum Deluxe Tea
The comparison trap is scary! It can make things seem bad when they really aren’t. I love that quote too. It’s a great reminder. 🙂
I love this article! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome advice. It can be very hard to stay positive, but finding a way to keep going is important.
Thank you Jill AnnMarie, you’re right, finding a way to keep going is so important!
I love this post. You’re right- comparing yourself to others won’t get you anywhere- because you’re not them! I laughed when I read about getting a reality check from my husband- I do this, too! And it is hard to hear sometimes. Finally, surrounding yourself with good people- people who don’t suck the joy from you and actually care about you is so important. It makes a WORLD of difference. People can either raise you up, or bring you down- and it’s up to you how you want to live. (Also- thanks for linking back to my post on Ways to make Friends in a New City!!! It’s much appreciated!!)
Pam recently posted…Wine of the Week: Trader Joe’s Shiraz
Surrounding yourself with good people is so important. You are so right, it’s up to you how you want to live!
It’s so easy to get sucked into the negativity vortex!! You are right, you have to recognize and actively DO things like seek help, practice gratitude, or get a reality check to pull out of it! Getting out of the vortex won’t happen on its own!
So true, getting out of the vortex doesn’t happen on it’s own. I was able to recognize it today and do something before my mood got worse. So glad I did because I don’t want to be the one to ruin my Friday night!
I really love this post! I came right on time.
Thanks Nikki, I’m glad!
Talk about divine timing! Really needed to read this today, Thankyou for your great tips!
-Kiarna Jayne
http://kiarnajayne.com
Thanks for reading Kiarna!
You just made my evening with this inspiring words. I guess I needed to read this to change somethings in my life that’s always giving out this negative vibes. Thanks so much! God bless you.
I am totally touched by the post !!!!
Mistakes teach you important lessons. the foremost important mistake you’ll make is doing nothing because you’re too afraid to form a mistake . So don’t hesitate – don’t doubt yourself.
Devansh Sharma recently posted…How To Get Your Life Together