When I need to write about a negative mindset, it really challenges me. I am the forever optimistic person who never really had a negative mindset, and therefore, it is not natural for me to give advice on issues that I don’t experience often.
There have been many times in my short life when I have been left broken and puzzled by life, but for many reasons, I have always remained positive and kept my mind as positive as possible. I will try to put it into words, and hopefully, it will help someone who experiences a negative mindset and negative thoughts regularly.
1. Practice Gratefulness
When I wake up early in the morning and can’t fall back asleep (which is a sign of old age!), I start by counting my blessings. I thank the Lord for my health, my family, my friendships, my home, and anything else that comes to mind.
Starting the day with a grateful heart makes me feel on top of the world, and it sets my mood for the day.
2. Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
Be very aware of the thoughts you allow yourself to think. It might sound simple, but it is crucial to be conscious of your thought patterns.
One negative thought leads to more negative thoughts, and before you know it, you are stuck in a downward spiral. Being mindful makes us aware of every thought that we allow ourselves to think.
3. Choose Your Company Wisely
George Eliot once said, “Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.”
If you surround yourself with negative people who drain you daily, then there is no doubt that you will also develop negative thoughts. One of my pet peeves is people who speak negatively about our country. It really irritates me, and I either confront them with the question, “What are you doing about it?” or I simply leave the discussion.
Surround yourself with positive, enthusiastic people who want to make a difference.
4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
I feel that the younger generation is constantly comparing themselves to others. I guess that’s the world we live in, and social media has allowed teenagers to compare themselves to the rest of the world.
Comparison is the thief of joy, and we have to focus on living our own lives. Work toward being the best version of yourself—not a second-grade version of someone else.
5. Focus on Personal Growth
If you have a mindset of personal growth, then you don’t have time for negative thoughts.
- Focus on your work and upskilling yourself.
- Focus on your friends and call them on their birthdays.
- Focus on your hobbies and take a course to improve your skills.
While you are growing and working to be better, it becomes very difficult to entertain negative thoughts.
I want to make it very clear that I am not qualified to give advice on any of these subjects. If you are struggling with mental health issues, it is crucial to seek medical help as soon as possible.
However, I do hope that some of my life lessons have given me the confidence to share a bit of insight that may help someone else.
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to get in touch with me about my key note presentation, Debunking Motivation, please send an email to corne@cornekrige.com. Visit my website to review my speaker sheet for more info. I also share my story on my social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.