How To Be Positive In Tough Times – Finding Positivity

We’ve all been in the place where we feel demotivated, like nothing is going right and we feel lost. It feels like we’re passing through life, merely existing rather than living. Surviving through tough times is hard, like the one we’ve all been through in the last year and a half. And it is in times like these that we crave some positivity and direction our lives.

And, while things are difficult enough as they are, you don’t need to make things even more difficult for yourself. Here are a few ideas to help to be positive during tough times.

1. Ease Your Fear, Anxiety and Worry In Tough Times

We overwhelm ourselves with thoughts specially when something bad happens. Our brain has a natural tendency to jump to worst conclusions, resulting in anxiety. In fact, you’d frequently find yourself worrying about things that are not likely to happen, EVER.

Notice this, that most of the time when you’re worrying, it’s always about something that happened in the past or something that’s way into the future. And you can’t control both of these things. Live more in the present to ease your worries.

Focus on the things that you can control; how you can make a difference today. Let go of the things that are out of your control; accept them as they are because there is nothing you can do about it. (If you think you can do something, go ahead and try it.) Don’t overburden yourself. If it’s too much for you, just deal with one day at a time.

2. Be Positive & Find Your Inner Calm

Things outside you can be a mess but things inside of you can remain calm. You don’t have to be so harsh on yourself. Everyone deals with this phase of life in their own way.

Do some self-care; not just physical self-care, but mental self-care too, because that will help you more. Try meditation, yoga, exercise or journaling. Anything that’ll help you let out your emotions and bring a sense of calm is good. This would help you in gaining a better perspective on things.

3. Unplug Your Phone To Be Positive

If you’re someone who empathizes with people and is easily influenced by their emotions, limit watching news to stop feeding all the negative things in your brain. Unplug from social media to avoid comparing yourself to everyone on Instagram.

Reduce screen time, spend some time outside of your phone. And stay away from negative people. Take a step back from all of this, give yourself some me-time, and you’d come back feeling better.

4. Do Things That Spark A Light In You

It’s another way of self care. You should always include doing something that you love in your daily routine. It might be dancing, singing, painting, or a new hobby you want to start. You might be going through this rough patch because you’re feeling lost in life. And it happens because you’re spending most of your time doing things that don’t feel meaningful to you.

Being lost gives you an excuse to find yourself again. Do things that spark a light in you, that make you happy, that you find meaningful, pick up a hobby you’ve wanted to try for a long time. When you start doing things that light a fire in you, you start feeding your soul, i.e. start connecting with your true self. And it’s only by connecting with your true self that you’ll be able to find your passion in life eventually.

5. Instant v/s Delayed Gratification

Whatever you do, know that, all good things take time. And therefore, you don’t need to rush anything. We have a habit of getting everything instantly these days; we are all falling into the trap of instant gratification. But to get out of these tough times, you need delayed gratification. Don’t trade long lasting satisfaction for momentary happiness. Like, stress eating instead of doing an intense workout.

6. Connect With Your True Self

We all have this voice inside of us, that we call our instincts, and it is constantly trying to show us the right path. But, in the midst of the world’s noise, we are never truly able to recognize it. When you are confronted with situations that force you to step outside of your comfort zone, you are able to learn new things about yourself — things that won’t be able to learn otherwise. Take this time to connect with your true self via meditating, journaling, or doing things that make you happy.

7. Have The Human Experience

You might feel like you don’t want to get out of your pajamas or leave your house and remain in that sulking environment that you’ve created around yourself. But then again, this is you making things worse than they have to be. You’ve come to this planet to have an experience.

So, connect with nature, go outside for walks, spend time with animals, meet new people. Studies have found that when people help others, they feel the most positive. Talk to your loved ones, make new friends if you want, maybe smile at a stranger. A heartfelt conversation with your best friend will always make you happier than any amount of Netflix documentaries.

8. It All Begins With You

“When things change inside you, things change around you.”

It’s all in the mind. You need to abandon your self pity & victim mentality and focus more on positivity. I know, things might be really hard for you. But why make it more difficult by having a negative mindset? It all starts with awareness, knowing that it’s okay to be in this situation and that you have the ability to make it right. Then, start making changes in your routine to bring in some positive vibes.

Next, find motivation to get out of this life slump —  Read books, find a mentor, do things that you love; this helps in creating intrinsic motivation that is more long lasting than any other kind. And when you get through these tough times, you’ll come out as a better version of yourself. And there are a hundred ways you can go from here on.

How Do You Stay Positive?

Mention in the comments below, some tips that you have to stay positive in tough times. Don’t forget to pick up some positive habits that you started during this transition time to help you avoid getting back into this spiral again.