When bad things happen, either to you personally, to someone you care about, or to humanity in general, it can be hard to stay positive. It can sometimes be a challenge just to stay neutral and not be dragged down by depression, anxiety, and fear. If you can focus on optimism and positivity you can survive and even thrive during hard times.
To some it may seem naive, or at least in poor taste, to refuse to let the events of the day dominate your outlook. Determined optimists may be seen as Pollyannas and taken less seriously in their social circles. However, there are many reasons why staying optimistic is a good plan.
- If you can avoid negative emotions, you can sidestep the spiraling effects of their bad-feeling neurochemicals.
- If you are confident of finding a way past the difficulties, you are more likely to actually navigate them successfully.
- When you stay optimistic, you can spend mental energy on controlling what you can and working with what you can’t rather than on negative emotions.
But, how can you stay optimistic when it’s hard to do so? Here are some tactics for choosing optimism even when that’s hard.
Look for the rainbow
Every person alive will face obstacles and bad news. To stay optimistic through tough times, look for the rainbow that appears amid the storm. There are almost always some positives that can emerge from struggle. If you go into a situation with that belief, the benefits are easier to find. This becomes a habit over time.
An example: If you get laid off, you might find a better job, or have the opportunity to pivot to a new role or related industry which might be more interesting or a better fit for your talents.
Choose your companions carefully
If you are surrounded by Danny Downers and Negative Nellies, it is hard not to be infected and influenced by their pessimism. You may be able to turn their bad attitudes and moods around, but it’s more likely that they will bring you down to their level. If you don’t know who in your circle tends to bring you down and who lifts you up, start taking notice. Limit contact with negative (and especially toxic) individuals and spend more time with those who reinforce your efforts at positivity and optimism.
Shift your focus away from yourself and towards others
No matter how difficult things may seem, we can usually find others who are struggling with even more difficult situations. By switching from being victims to being of service to others, we not only stop dwelling on our own problems but can actually feel good about helping. If you are struggling with health issues which drain your energy, try gestures like sending greeting cards or simply praying for others.
Prioritize what’s important to you
If the difficult situation you are facing is putting a strain on your time and energy, then use it as an impetus to reevaluate your priorities. Instead of letting your expanding to-do list overwhelm you, trim it down to what really matters. Ask for help when you need it. When the situation passes, you can add commitments and activities back into your life, or you may decide to keep your focus on the essentials. Keeping a focus on what you can get done, instead of all you can’t, is a focus on optimism.
Remember to be grateful
When life gives you lemons, it can be hard to not let them take over your life. It is likely that there are other aspects to your life which are positive and haven’t changed. Take time to remember good things from the past and also people and things which remain in your life. Keep a gratitude journal if that helps you to stay optimistic. Even a few minutes a day jotting down good things can give your attitude a lift.
You’ll feel better when you focus on optimism
Staying optimistic during difficult times is hard to do but gets easier with practice. If you start applying the tactics above, you may find that you come out of the woods stronger and more content than ever. To keep these five tactics in mind, access the free bonus available when you request it below: Five Ways to Stay Optimistic. It includes a link to an Embracing Optimism Guided Meditation audio file (.wav format).
What are your favorite ways to focus on optimism? Please share in the Comments below.
