“Positive thinking” is one of the most overused terms of the year. And for a good reason: “Doing more of the things that make you happy” sounds nice, but it’s not that easy. And it’s even more difficult to do when you’re dealing with the problems that are weighing you down.

Positive thinking has a bad rep. Even without directly telling you, it seems that most people think that positive thinking is a kind of magic that results in a better life. When that doesn’t happen, the whole idea of positive thinking is shattered. In reality, it’s a lot more simple than that.

Positive thinking is a widely practiced, yet much misunderstood, concept. Some people even believe it’s impossible to have a positive outlook on anything, particularly if they have suffered a serious loss or have experienced a very traumatic event. The truth is it’s impossible to have a negative thought. The only difference is how you deal with those negative thoughts. If you negatively respond to them, it will only make them stronger.

Think about your outlook 

Being negative about almost everything is such a waste of time. We waste our time complaining about things we can’t control, and therefore never learn to take control of them. If we stopped complaining, we would only have the opportunity to be positive.

There is nothing wrong with being negative – no one is perfect. But, is there such a thing as being too negative? How can we ever be positive if we focus all our energy on our problems and not our blessings? While we cannot change the past, we can change our attitude and outlook on life.

“Positive thinking” has been super trendy lately. People try to think more positively and spend hours and hours trying to be more positive and thinking positive things, but is this all that valuable? In this age of algorithm-addled newsfeeds, where we are constantly being told what to think, it’s pretty easy to become a victim of our propaganda. This kind of thinking can be valuable, but only if it is coupled with other valuable ideas. If you want to be a positive thinker, then you have to be a positive person first. 

Don’t let bad news bring you down 

I know life can be tough. I know that’s something we all struggle with at some point, struggling with the bad news that life throws our way. You may be in a situation that you feel you cannot bounce back from, and I want to help you.

While the bad news is rarely good, many of us become so overwhelmed with its weight that we can’t see our way out. That can be frustrating, demoralizing, and even dangerous. However, the bad news doesn’t have to stop there. The real power comes from realizing that it’s not just the bad news that is harmful but the way we react to it.

Think about the worst-case scenario 

One of the most important skills for a positive person is being able to see the glass as half full. You don’t have to be a cheerleader to have a positive attitude; you just need to be cognizant of the fact that each day is a gift.

It’s an incredibly positive world we live in, and we’re lucky to be living in such a wonderful time. But, there is always a downside to every good thing. 

Accept it and move on

Most of us know how to be positive, but we don’t always do it. Accepting it and moving on is a great principle to follow, but it doesn’t always work. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you find yourself in a negative situation:

  • Instead of letting the negative thought run through your mind, ask yourself why you are thinking it.
  • Tell yourself it’s not true, and focus on the positive.
  • Ask yourself how you can turn the situation around and make it positive.
  • Look for the silver lining and focus on the things that you can do to turn the negative into a positive.

So, with these simple tips, you can be happier and more positive every day. As with most things, practicing them consistently will yield better results. So, pick just one or two of these strategies, and implement them in your daily life. It will soon become second nature, and you will have become more positive.