Q: Can you give me some tips on becoming more optimistic?
A: It will be worth your effort to start seeing your world in a more optimistic light. Here are a few tips you can follow to begin:
Make the effort
The way you think about things will require a shift in your conscious awareness. You may want to challenge yourself to reframe certain situations. When you do this, you will have a more positive light on them. For example, when you awaken each morning, immediately say to yourself what a beautiful day it is and regardless of what it looks like outside, you feel good as you put on a positive lens.
Take a break from the news
With all the negativity in the news, it’s important not to let it influence you. Limit how much time you spend watching the news and try to have balance elsewhere. Perhaps you can start your morning with a brisk walk. It’s great for you to start your day this way and you will be outside seeing beauty instead of retreating to negativity and pessimism by turning on the news.
Start each day with gratitude
When you are able to give gratitude for even the smallest things it is going to stay with you and come back to you tenfold. You may be grateful for one thing or many. So when you put it out into the field, it just feels good. Try it and you can even keep a gratitude journal if you like to write. Find the little things to feel joyful about.
Make a note of whom you are spending time with
If you surround yourself with positive (balcony people) who are in your balcony cheering you on, then it’s contagious. If you are around basement people who are down in your basement, these are the negative people who can also influence you in a negative way. Pay attention and stay away from the drama of negative, basement people and surround yourself with balcony people.
Pay attention to what is in your control
We cannot change someone else, however, we can be in control of our own thoughts and actions. Regardless of the obstacles and challenges, optimistic people feel more in control and thrive. When we feel in control, we feel good and we flow through our day with less stress and more vitality and motivation.
Practice Mindfulness Meditation
When you take just five minutes a day to meditate, you will feel and be more optimistic. It’s a great way to be in the present moment and have a sense of calm over you. It’s also a great way to stop obsessing over things you can’t control and focus on the things you can.