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Life definitely has its up and downs. Sometimes it seems like it’s filled with days of sunshine and positive vibes and other days the negativity and trouble never stops. As a young adult, I am beginning to face more challenges in life. I am learning that the life we live and the way we see things depends on our attitude and mindset. This has brought me to constantly strive to see the good in the bad, even though it definitely isn’t always easy.

Negative thoughts and moods happen to each of us. I have realized that having emotions is totally okay and can actually be a good thing. But it isn’t good to be depressed over the same situation forever. There comes a time to grieve and then move on.

Here are 40 simple steps that I use to become a more positive person!

Let’s get started…

40 Simple Steps

1. Have the desire 

Without personally wanting to become more positive, you can’t do it. Being positive begins with a mindset and you must desire it in order to achieve it.

2. Talk to someone

Once your painful memories turn into words and you talk to others about it, you can begin to heal. By letting out the negative thoughts, you are making more room for the positive thoughts to come in.

3. Keep a gratitude journal 

Writing down some things you are grateful for each day can help you focus on the positive things in life. This has really helped me because I can flip back through my journal during rough times and see many of the things that I am thankful for.

4. Meditate

This will help clear your mind of all the clutter and other things going on and focus on here and now, along with the positive aspects.

5. Give back, volunteer, support a local charity

By giving back you will have an increase in your social connectedness and self-esteem. Also, you will be paying it forward and encouraging others to keep the cycle going, creating happiness everywhere!

6. Read inspiring quotes

When things get tough, sit down and read some inspiring quotes, it has helped me get more motivated and excited. I have also been writing down some different sayings and quotes on sticky notes to put around my house and on my mirror to read when getting ready.

7. Nothing is permanent

Things will go wrong, it is important to know that this season in life is not permanent. Once we change our mindset and accept what is going on right now, we can begin to see that those bad situations will come to an end.

I have also begun to realize that almost every life change leads to something even better in the end. The life lessons have been so challenging yet exciting that I decided to share these 10 Reasons That I Am No Longer Resisting Change.

8. Eat well

By eating the right food, your mood, confidence, and physical feeling overall will increase.

9. Exercise

Get your endorphins going… this doesn’t have to be at the gym, it can be on the trampoline or in the pool. You can get exercise in a variety of different ways but it has been proven to reduce stress and make you feel better about yourself!

Read more about How Staying Healthy Can Reduce Stress

10. Breathe

Take a second and breathe. When I do this, I allow myself time to think before I speak, regain focus, and stay calm in overwhelming situations.

11. Get a good night’s sleep

People tend to be more emotionally stable when they get the rest they need. Sleep can reduce anxiety and moodiness.

12. Surround yourself with positive like-minded people

Since I stopped hanging out with negative influences, I have seen such a drastic change in my life. I began to notice that the people I hung out with were not benefiting me at all, they were only bringing me down. By surrounding myself with positive people, I feel more encouraged and happier.

13. Listen to music

Sing at the top of your lungs to the music you’re playing. Are the lyrics positive and meaningful to you? If not, maybe try out a different song or genre. What you listen to and sing has an influence on you and your thoughts.

14. Be optimistic

Avoid getting caught up in one thing and see how much happier you are.

I remember getting so tied up in something that didn’t even matter the next week. Don’t waste your time this way.

15. Smile

As I walk around I feel like I don’t see enough smiles. Once I begin to smile at others and make eye contact, they almost feel obligated to smile back. 🙂

16. Practice self-love/self-care

Spending time loving yourself and caring about yourself physically and mentally is important and can boost your confidence and happiness.

Learn more about How Self-Love Can Help You Live A Better Life

17. Laugh

For no particular reason, just laugh.

18.Unfollow and remove any negative influences

This could be from your social media and/or from your life in general. Don’t surround yourself with people that do nothing but bring you down.

19. Follow some positive influences on social media that send a hopeful message

If you are like me, you scroll through social media almost every day. Following successful and positive influences has benefited me in many ways because I find myself inspired to do better things.

20. Unplug

Make an effort to unplug from electronics for some time to get a breath of fresh air and to live your own life. Many of us are addicted to technology, but putting it away for a little bit has proven to increase our awareness and happiness.

21. Set goals and think about your dream life

Spend a couple minutes writing down your goals and dreams for life. How are you going to achieve them? Get excited! You have things to look forward to.

Want To Start Reaching Goals Each Day? Try This!

22. Give genuine compliments to others, encourage them

Telling someone that they are a hard worker or have gorgeous eyes is making an impact. You are making the person you compliment more happy, creating a better connection between you two and even boosting your own self-confidence.

23. Do not compare yourself to others

Do you find yourself thinking you won’t be able to do it because “Susie” or whoever did it more quickly than you? Quit comparing yourself, we all have our own set time of how things will work out for us. Also, don’t compare your physical looks, you are your own kind of beautiful.

24. Forgive others

Letting go of what other people did to you will help you drop some negativity in your life. You should always forgive someone, this doesn’t mean that what they did is ok. It means that you have moved on and you aren’t holding a grudge against them.

25. Write a love letter to yourself

You will be surprised at all the healing this can do when you read it back to yourself later on.

Read How Self-Love Helps You Live A Better Life

26. Live in the moment

Staying in the present can really help you from wandering into past thoughts or worrying about the future.

I have really been working on this one because I struggle with being mindful. That is why I have written several blog posts about mindfulness, to help people that find this difficult just like I do.

Learn more about living in the moment with this Essential Guide To Practicing Mindfulness

27. Say affirmations

By meditating on positive self-affirmations, you can change your thoughts from negative to positive. Our thoughts tend to control us and a big step to having a positive mindset is by creating new thoughts in our head.

29. Take criticism in a healthy way 

Rather than getting offended when someone criticizes you. Listen to what they have to say, respond calmly and decide if you want to work on what they said.

28. Get out of your comfort zone

Once you break out of your comfort zone, you will begin to see that you can be more productive and you will find it easier to adapt to change. Plus, you will be able to try new things that you never thought you would, boosting your self-esteem and happiness!

Make leaving your comfort zone easier with these 6 steps!

30.Switch self-criticism to uplifting conversations about yourself

When you catch yourself staring in the mirror saying “I hate my big nose and ugly hands” immediately turn that around and mention that you are glad you at least have a nose to smell and have hands! Also, when you mess up something and start putting yourself down as “a failure” change your thoughts to “I might have failed this time but I can learn from this and not do it again.”

31. Say “thank you”

It isn’t just about having manners but showing appreciation to others and what they do can bring positivity into your life.

33. Plan a trip

Having something exciting to look forward to can help you drown yourself in positive thoughts.

33. Indulge in your “guilty pleasures”

You know that piece of chocolate cake or how you want to binge on Netflix? Do it, tonight. You deserve it and it will bring you some happiness.

34. Use positive posture

Sitting upright and standing tall literally makes you feel more powerful.

35. Think about what you can learn from this difficult situation that you are going through

You can look at a difficult situation as terrible or you can choose to search for something to take away from it. For example, my friend recently got into a texting and driving accident. She took some time to grieve and then decided to learn from this lesson and never text and drive again. As well, as share her story with others to help them learn too!

36. Realize you are the one in control of your mindset

Nobody is in control of your feelings and thoughts besides you. If you don’t like it, change it.

37. Give up the need to always be right

Don’t be afraid to be wrong at times, you will learn more with open ears and an open mind.

38. Ask yourself “Does this really matter?”

Before throwing negative thoughts all over the place, take a second to ask yourself “does this really matter”. It might matter a little, but it most likely won’t matter in a year from now. Life goes on. Stay calm, breathe, and think in each situation, try not to overreact.

39. Realize life will have times of trouble, pain, and sadness

Positive people know that life can be hurtful at times and isn’t perfect. Instead of running from negative feelings, they allow themselves to have those emotions with the thought that things will get better.

40. Download my FREE E-book “How To Achieve A Positive Mindset”.

This E-book will give multiple ways to practice positivity, maintain it in life, and use it for success!

Positive Life

It is important to see both sides of the situation and recognize the negative part too. But choosing to focus and spend more time and energy on the better outcome is the key to positive thinking. Because when you are focused on the good, the good gets even better!

If you are struggling with depression, keep your head up, this takes time. Also, feel free to message me for any other advice or just to talk. I would love to help in any way that I can.

What would you add to this list? Are there any of these that you use to increase your positivity?

Please share in the comments below!

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Remember... no matter what challenges you face,
Take it 1 Day At A Time.