In a perfect world, we would have only positive thoughts and interactions with others. Sadly, that is far from what actually happens, and we tend to have unpleasant, negative experiences. Negativity, defined as “the expression of criticism of or pessimism about something,” can take over our mind if we aren’t careful, and can lead to an unhappy life.
Imagine there is a person in your life who constantly is pointing out the negatives.
You paint a painting but there are a few imperfections, so they don’t want to look at your artwork.
You make a delicious meal, but the vegetables are too cold so they don’t realize how good the rest of it is.
You go shopping and have a great time, but one of the best stores is closed and it ruins their entire day.
Even just one negative thought/statement can ruin something perfectly wonderful, and these people can be more of an enemy than a friend. But guess what? Sometimes this person is us ourselves. Sometimes we choose to dwell on the bad things that are going on, and miss out on all of the good right in front of us. This causes us to be our own worst enemy, creating a negative mindset that can bring us down more than we realize.
How Our Negativity Affects Those We Love
There is often so much good around us, but when we choose to dwell on the bad it can cultivate a mind that only looks for bad. This can greatly affect our relationships and the people around us. Negativity can spread so quickly, and can over time wear down those we care about. Our family, significant other, friends, coworkers - everyone is affected by this, and it can tend to cause divides.
Effects of Negativity on Our Mind
Let’s be real, life can be hard sometimes. I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person who hasn’t gone through a hard time, and we all know that life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Whether it is a big life event or small daily inconveniences, it can be a lot to handle.
There are so many things that can weigh us down, and a lot of them are outside our control. But the part we have in our control is how we react/respond to what is going on. Choosing to dwell on past hurt, bad experiences, or our negative thoughts/emotions can cause us a lot of stress and over time can result in significant harm to our minds and our bodies.
As many of us know, stress causes a lot of negative reactions in our bodies. Some symptoms are anxiety, high blood pressure, and a racing heart. These symptoms are triggered by our negative thoughts and feelings, and can lead to quite serious health complications if we are frequently in a state of anxiety, depression, or overwhelmed by trauma.
Addressing our negative thoughts and any mental health issues we may have can be vital to helping us change our negative thinking into positive. Once we do this, our brain can process healthier responses and function much better. It paves the way for a much more peaceful life.
How Can We Replace Negative Thoughts With Positive Thoughts
Even when darkness surrounds us, there are still ways we can be positive. Here are a few ways how:
- Try to find the good things in your life
Instead of letting your mind be drawn to the bad, look for the good. This is such a great way to start shifting your mindset! Some situations will just flat out stink, but finding the good can help us not dwell in a bad place.
- Showing gratitude
A good way to also shift your mindset is to start showing gratitude to those around you. When we are so negative, it tends to cause us to miss out on all the love and kindness other people show us. Thanking others and appreciating them can make you feel great and they will be happy as well!
- Thinking more of others
When we focus more attention on other people instead of ourselves, it leaves us less time for negativity and more time for the joy kindness can bring to us. It can boost our morale, and help push those negative thoughts away.
- Be intentional about doing things you enjoy!
I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to be negative when I’m doing things I love! Especially with people I love! Try doing more things you like to try to fill your time with positivity.
The Hope For a Positive Life
A negative mind will never give you a positive life, and we hope that this article has helped you know how to tackle your negative thoughts! A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset, and we hope that we can all take the time to cultivate a positive mindset. Please reach out if you have more questions or would like more tips!