Recently, I found myself going down a mental spiral. I stepped out of it for a moment and realized how pessimistic my thoughts were. I noticed how these endless spirals had become a trend for me. Frustrated with myself, I stopped the train of thought and shifted my thinking. I hated how negative my mindset was and decided I would make an effort to be more optimistic.
Merriam-Webster defines optimism as “an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome.” I thought about it while watching The Odyssey this summer. Penelope’s unwavering hope that her husband, Odysseus, would return home after 20 years was an inspiring part of the story to me.
I reflected on how I wanted that sense of hope and optimism, even when times are hard.
But before learning how to become more optimistic, it’s helpful to understand why this way of thinking is beneficial in the first place. For starters, optimism improves happiness. It helps people not dwell and instead move forward when inconveniences occur. Secondly, optimists find joy in the little things and are more likely to live in the moment.
In the face of adversity, optimists also keep a resilient mindset. Setbacks aren’t the end of the world to them, and they’re confident they can overcome challenges. Finally, research has proven that an optimistic mindset and physical health are linked. Optimistic people are more likely to engage in healthy habits, leading to an improved quality of life.
Some people are naturally inclined towards an optimistic attitude. I’ve realized I’m not one of those people. In the face of life setbacks, I tend to stress, feel helpless, and list reasons why my life is officially over. A more optimistic person would likely see a setback as a much smaller inconvenience. They’d remain calm to handle the issue.
However, if you’re like me, not all hope is lost. An optimistic mindset can be learned over time with practice and become stronger with use. Here are a few strategies you can implement in your life to become more optimistic:
- Create Daily Affirmations
Start each morning believing and stating that good things will happen, even if it doesn’t feel true. Our minds treat repeated messages as more credible, so reinforcing positive intentions will allow our brains to process them faster and eventually comprehend them as the truth.
- Avoid Dwelling on Negative Thoughts
It’s important not to get lost in negative feelings about the past, as it can lead to endless rumination. Instead of beating yourself up for having these thoughts, label the thought and notice the mental loop. When you identify what’s bothering you, it gives the thought less power and allows more space for positivity to filter in.
- Practicing Gratitude
Recognizing the things you’re grateful for can help rewire your brain to focus on the positives in your life. Whether you do so by taking a moment to reflect or by writing it down, practicing gratitude helps you develop an abundance mindset.
- Finding Things to be Excited About
Excited anticipation can have a positive impact on your mood and lessen stress. It doesn’t have to be something big, as long as it’s something special to you. For example, I look forward to making coffee and reading every morning. Simple, but gives me the motivation to get out of bed at 6 a.m.
- Setting Goals
Setting goals ties in with strategy four because goals help you feel more optimistic about the future. They offer a sense of purpose. Breaking down your goals into small, manageable steps can help you feel accomplished and confident when you reach a milestone.
Using these strategies, I hope to alter my way of thinking for the better. I believe everyone should try to be more optimistic, as it’s such a crucial part of healthy living. Even if you don’t develop Penelope’s level of hope and resilience overnight, optimism feels like a mindset worth working towards.