Haruki Murakami: "When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about."
As many of my readers know, I struggle with being a pessimist. I am working on becoming more of an optimist, which has been challenging. However, in many cases, I have succeeded in more positive thinking.
What happened?
I have faced several storms and failures in my life. In many cases, I learned from those storms and failures and have experienced success.
Growing up, I felt unworthy; I was awkward and unsure, and I continued to find things negative about myself. I believed that I would never be successful and refused to attempt to participate in activities to improve myself.
I was very involved in the youth group in the church. It was a place where I felt like I counted. However, I still felt like I wasn't good enough. Leaders and friends in my group continued to encourage me and work with me to improve my self-image. Feeling unsure of myself about myself played a part in my pessimism.
Like all high school kids, I went through some storms, but I put my "walls" up and did not change how I felt about myself and life.
In adulthood, things changed. I grew a spine and decided to mature and make something out of myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone with some help from friends and began on a new journey.
Closing the family business was the storm I encountered that changed my life again. I could have allowed that incident to leave me depressed and feeling like a failure, which I did for a while, but I moved on. I knew I could not live in that place for a long time – so I put my big girl pants on and started living life.
My most significant change was changing my mindset and living my life without putting myself down. I am now considered a leader and have made something positive of myself. Because I can see the "silver lining," life is still good even when I hit a storm. That does not mean I am always positive and happy, but I can pull out of the frustrations and find the good things about the situation.
Becoming an optimist involves shifting your perspective and habits to see things in a positive light. Here are some practical steps you can take to cultivate optimism:
• Focus on Solutions, Not Problems: When faced with challenges, try to concentrate on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problems. This proactive approach can shift your mindset from feeling overwhelmed to taking control.
• Practice Gratitude: Regularly acknowledge things for which you are grateful. This could be as simple as writing down three things you're thankful for daily. This practice can shift your focus from what's missing or negative to what's positive and abundant in your life.
• Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Spend time with people with a positive outlook. Positivity can be contagious, and being around optimists can help shift your perspective.
• Reframe Negative Thoughts: Challenge and change your negative thoughts. When you think negatively, try reframing the thought more positively or realistically. For instance, instead of thinking, "I can't handle this," you might say, "I can handle this if I take one step at a time."
• Set Realistic Goals: Setting and achieving goals can boost your confidence and foster a sense of accomplishment. Make sure your goals are achievable and break them down into manageable steps.
• Limit Exposure to Negativity: Reduce exposure to negative influences, including news, social media, or overly pessimistic people. Instead, seek out content and activities that uplift you.
• Celebrate Small Victories: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. This can reinforce positive feelings and motivate you to continue pursuing your goals.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can significantly affect your mood and energy levels, making it easier to maintain a positive outlook.
• Seek Humor: Find humor in everyday situations. Laughter can lighten your mood and help you see situations in a less severe light.
• Develop Resilience: Building resilience by overcoming small challenges can prepare you to handle bigger ones with a positive attitude.
By practicing these steps regularly, you can gradually shift your mindset towards a more optimistic outlook, enhancing your overall quality of life and well-being.
Today, look for something positive to set your mind on.
Have a great week.
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