It is too easy to get into a negative mindset which invariably leads to unhappiness and depression. To avoid being overwhelmed by negativity we need to make a conscious effort to avoid the experience. When life seems like a perpetual dark tunnel these are some suggestions to change your outlook on life.
Don’t Cherish Destructive Thoughts.
Often we don’t realise how much we subconsciously cherish negative thoughts. It may seem counter intuitive, but often a negative frame of mind occurs because we won’t let go of the negative thoughts and ideas. Sometimes the mind clings on to these thoughts with a feeling of self pity or injured pride. We don’t like the negative frame of mind, but at the same time are we consciously trying to overcome it? The problem is that if the negative thoughts go round and round in our mind they can become powerful and we lose a sense of perspective. Just make a conscious decision to ignore the negative flow of thoughts and sentiments and be persistent in these attempts.
Do You want to be Happy or Miserable?
We should feel a negative mindset is a choice. If we feel a victim to our own emotions and thoughts, nobody else will be able to help us. We should feel that by holding on to a negative frame of mind, we are inevitably choosing to be unhappy; each negative is a conscious decision to be miserable. If we really value the importance of our own inner peace and happiness, we will aspire to cultivate this through good, uplifting thoughts. Next time you feel the onset of a depressed state of mind, just ask yourself the question: Do I want to be happy or Miserable?
Spend Time With Positive People
The best antidote to negativity is simply to spend time doing positive, uplifting activities. Sometimes if we analyse and examine our own negativity it does nothing to reduce it. By engaging in useful fun activities, we forget about the reasons for our negativity; this is often the most powerful way to overcome a depressed state of mind.
Don’t Accept Negativity from Other People
We live in a world where there are no shortage of pessimists, critics and doomongers. There will always be people who can find the negative in life; but, there is no reason why we have to ascribe to their world view. For example, often in an office environment there is a negative attitude to the workplace, but, even if there are faults and limitations we don’t have to allow them to make us a negative person.
Let Go of Thoughts
If you can learn to control your thoughts, you can control the experience and emotions of life. The best antidote to negativity is learning the art of meditation. Meditation is more than just relaxation; it is a change in consciousness. We move from the limited perspective of our mind and discover an inner source of happiness.
Live in the Heart
The nature of the mind is to be suspicious and critical. If someone does 99 good things and 1 bad thing, the mind will invariably remember the bad thing. If we allow ourselves to be drawn into highlighting the mistakes of others we will invite a negative mindset. However, if we live in the heart we are not drawn to the faults of others (even if they are insignificant). It is in the heart that we can have a true sense of oneness with others, their faults seem insignificance and we can feel a sense of identity with the achievements of others.
Don’t Sit Around Doing Nothing
The worst thing for a negative frame of mind is to mope around feeling sorry for ourselves. Ruminating on our bad luck / worries / fears will not diminish them in any way. Exercise can be a powerful way to bring about a new consciousness. Negativity is often associated with boredom and lack of purpose. Stop endlessly checking emails and surfing web, look for something good to do.
Force Yourself to Think of 3 Positive Thoughts.
If you are feeling really miserable and have a low sense of self esteem, try thinking of 3 good things that you have done. At time our own mind can be our worst enemy and very self critical. It is important not to lose a sense of balance; for the various bad things we have done, we have also done some good things.
Don’t Think Anything You Wouldn’t Say in Front of People
We often think things we would never say in front of people. If you are annoyed, disappointed with someone else, imagine what you would say to them in person. Sometimes when we are with people we are forced to behave; even if we are not particularly sincere the effort to avoid negativity can help us to overcome our bad mood.
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Photo by Vidyutonnati, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries
I really like this site, it touches upon some very important aspects that anyone can take an utilize on a daily basis. One of the ones that hits me is, surround yourself with positive people. You become who you surround yourself with. If it is negative people, then you will develop that mindset and continue to become more and more negative. Enrich yourself and Be Grateful.
Working from home I didn’t realise that endlessly checking emails and surfing the web was another mindless thing I have started to do.. It can distract you enormously and thanks for your great post I will now focus my mind on more positive things and at least try to give myself the 3 Good things a day That I manage to do.
Your direction to +ve thinking is good , the step by step approach is very effective.
What a great reading! Thank you so much! I’ve learnt so many tricks from this blog. Thank you!
I struggle at times with feeling down. I have boundaries which are partly self-created but partly I think I had a great training for this at the hands of my poor mum who worried about everything, never understood anything really and who was very controlling in a passive/aggressive way. This has led to low self-confidence which I act out in my daily life.
Thanks, I’ll def share “don’t sit around doing nothing” with my friends. I’m a positive person by nature and i find this really describes the ways i seem to stay positive.
Once we pay attention to our gut reaction/how we feel when we are living each day, we can get rid of that negative reaction. If we simply open and CLEAR our mind of judgment and negativity, then we can only better ourselves and our attitudes. Great job!
Barbara
theyoumovement.com
Just what I needed to stumbleupon in my negative frame of mind. thankyou
GREAT.. ITS A GREAT ARTICLE ON CHANGING OUR WAY OF THINKING, ITS A PART OF SELF MANAGEMENT
LOTS OF THANX !!
Hi All
Some lovely and obviously well thought posts. I’m sure I haven’t seen this mentioned yet, so I’d like to add making a list of all the positive things you’ve done each day at the day’s end (no matter how small or seemingly insignficant) and reading them back to yourself before you retire.
Each day you repeat the process and read the positives for the previous day asa well as the current. In only as short a space of time as a week, it’s easy to have noted in well excess of 50 positive things you’ve done.
A very powerfull tool I find for trying to shift one’s persistent negative moods.
Thank you all
Great for self improvement. Sitting around doing nothing can be toxic. It’s always better to take action on something even if it is cleaning the house or taking a walk. Granted sometimes we need to sink ourselves into a good movie a short escape but that can be habit forming.
Any thoughts, please on self-fulfilling prophesies? I think I can see the potential for this in myself, but more particularly in my boss.
Reallly loved this article….i came cross this when i was feeling pretty low…gave me the sprit to move on and change myself..rather than sitting and crying
Thanks
i would like to learn more from this great thinker
I am touched.
Sunil
Thanks you
The advice is so practical & believable! Thank you.
Great article! I recently discovered this website and am loving it. Thanks…
awesome articles…..i jst love goin thru thm again n again
Just amazing,i cant stop reading..There is a lot of so helping things.
Thank You