How to Stay Positive in Difficult Times
I haven’t always had the positive outlook on life I have today. In the past I viewed things differently, I didn’t feel like I fit in & I found it hard sometimes to snap myself out of a low mood; to see the good side. Staying positive isn’t easy at times, trust me I know, but once you change your mindset & do things to help, you’ll see how every day it gets easier to focus on the good in each & every day.
Start Small – count your blessings
Focus on the little things you’re grateful for; things that make you happy, like your favourite food, your dog or cat, a warm brew (translation for southeners: a cup of tea/coffee), your family & friends, or the beautiful place you live in. Try writing one thing down that lifts your spirits each day & reflect back on it.
Choose which thoughts to entertain. This isn’t an easy process & takes practice, however each time a negative thought enters your mind, try to replace it with something positive. For example:
- ‘It’s raining outside’ – but it’s good for the plants
- ‘That person just pushed in front of me, how rude!’ – maybe they’re in a rush for something important & didn’t realise
- ‘I’m stuck inside in quarantine’ – I get to spend time with my family/my loved ones/those I care about
- ‘I didn’t get that promotion’ – maybe it’s better this way, as maybe the timing was wrong & next time I’ll have more experience.
“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.”
– Unknown
Choose happiness. Choose positivity. Look for the good in life & see how viewing things differently changes the way you feel completely.
Where my sister lives people were putting up fairy houses in the woodland during lockdown, for children (& adults if you’re like me) to see when they went on their daily walk. Streets were filled with rainbows in windows, to bring a smile to those passing by. Such a beautiful idea & a way to see the good & kindness in the world.
One of my favourite quotes says “feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which ones to surf.” – Unknown. This doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to have a bad day. Everyone has bad days sometimes, but it’s how you react after the event which matters. If something doesn’t go to plan in the morning, try to turn your day around after. Don’t let that one morning ruin your whole day, your week, your month. Remember to let go & have the courage to try again. Wake up the next day with the attitude that it’s a new day & a fresh new start.
Get Active
Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins into your body which improve your mood. You know that feeling you get when you’ve just finished a workout. Exercise can also improve self esteem, reduce stress, anxiety & depression & help you to sleep better. So go for a long walk, a run, get your yoga on, do your favourite home workout, do some gardening, or put on your favourite music & just dance around the house. The latter I love doing when I’m cleaning – a fantastic stress reliever & a good workout too. You’ll see how getting active lifts your mood & helps you to see things in a positive light.
I have to admit I am a fitness freak. I just love the feeling I get after a good HIIT workout, a long walk, a run, or my yoga practice. I feel so good about myself, so positive, like I can do anything. I do however, get the occasional day when I have no motivation to do anything. On those days I push myself to work out, as it’s usually when I need it most, & I always feel great after. I love to put on my favourite YouTubers or Influencers, like Vicky Justiz (@vickyjustizfitness), Maeve Madden (@maeve_madden) & Boho Beautiful (@bohobeautifullife). Their positive energy & down to earth attitudes always make me feel amazing & bring a smile to my face.
I also find it helps to set myself goals, or challenges to complete. I have something to focus on & it makes me push myself harder & to keep going.
Do What Makes Your Soul Sing
We all love that feeling we get from doing something we love. For me it’s fitness (as mentioned above), baking something scrummy, styling different outfits & of course, not forgetting ALL things beauty.
The other day I decided to make some healthy (but scrumptious all the same) cookies & pancakes. I forgot how much I love baking, especially for those I love. I’m also studying make-up artistry & creating a beautiful eye look, or wearing a bold lip colour always lifts my spirits so much. I just love how you can enhance a person’s beauty & make them feel amazing about themselves. Making someone else happy makes me feel happy & positive too.
So find those things for you that make your soul sing & your heart happy; those things that bring a smile to your beautiful faces. It could be as simple as playing in the garden with your children, reading a good book, or talking on the phone with your best friend. Find what makes you happy & keep doing it.
“Train your mind to be positive at every situation. You will notice how happy you are every day.”
– Chaithra Kushal
Find a Focus
I find that when I have something to focus on – a goal, a dream, a challenge – my mind is occupied & it’s easier to stay positive, as I have something to work towards. The sense of achievement when you’ve completed something also gives you a sense of pride, happiness & positivity.
I recently decided to follow the Konmari Method to organise all my wardrobes & drawers. Her goal is to help people live a life that sparks joy & she does this through tidying. I love how organised my belongings are now & how good I felt (& still feel) when I finished. My sister followed the Konmari Method too & she got the same feeling.
With all this free time on our hands due to the current craziness in the world, focus on doing something you’ve wanted to do for ages, something you’ve put off because you’ve never had the time. Write that book, study that course (online), decorate your house, clean out your wardrobe, spend time with your family & friends (even if it is on the phone). Whatever it is, no matter how simple, focusing on something helps us to stay positive by stopping us from overthinking things & by keeping our minds active on the things we love & want to achieve. Remember to focus on the good, not the bad.
Find a Support Network
I am very lucky in the fact that I have a loving family & a fab group of close friends to keep me sane. Not everyone has that though, so find someone you can laugh with, cry with & who lifts your mood. A good chat with someone you trust can make you feel so much better. It’s amazing how effective just talking to someone can be.
Make Someone Smile
Bringing joy to others can also make you feel so good about yourself, so it’s a win win situation. One of my friends recently reached out to her community & offered to help anyone elderly, or unable to get out during quarantine to do their shopping. She ended up having a long conversation on the telephone with a little old lady about the old lady’s life & her family. This wasn’t the purpose of the phone call, however it was just what the lady needed & my friend gave her time to make someone feel better. It made this lady’s day, but also made my friend happy as she had made someone smile, feel less lonely & helped someone. A little kindness goes a long way, so spread a little wherever you go.
“Kindness is free. Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
– Wake up to what’s inside
Surround Yourself With Sunshine
Being around negativity can make you feel negative no matter how positive you are & no matter how good a mood you were in before. Surround yourself with things & people in life who lift you up, not knock you down & talk to those who make you smile. In times like these, limit yourself to how much of the news you watch & what you read. If you’re like me & negativity drains you, choose to walk away from it, or not to respond to it.
That doesn’t mean don’t be there for others who need you. Sometimes people just need a helping hand to come back to the light. Just try not to get swept up in negativity & remember not to judge anyone, as you don’t know their story.
“Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.”
– Unknown
Set Yourself a Routine
Get up at a certain time every day.
Make your favourite drink – tea, coffee, lemon water – to start your day. My favourite is warm lemon water as it makes my body feel refreshed. Do your daily exercise to set your mood for the day.
Get ready as even if you’re not going anywhere, get dressed for you (it’s ok to have a pyjama day once in a while when you need it though). It will make you feel better. During lockdown I found putting on a nice outfit, or a bold lipstick would make me feel amazing & getting ready also passed the time. Taking pride in your appearance isn’t just for others, it’s for yourself, for your confidence & self esteem.
Start a wellness journal as part of your routine Journaling can really help mentally & emotionally. Writing things down helps to get them off your chest & it’s also good to refer back to, especially on bad days so you can see how strong you are.
Little things like this in difficult times make more of a difference than you realise.
“Today I woke up & decided that my day will be awesome.”
– Unknown
