Surrounding Yourself with Positivity: The Key to Overcoming Negativity

Navigating the world seems to be a lot harder lately. We're seeing hard things on the news. We're hearing hard things all around us. We're reading about hard things and it doesn't feel like it's getting any better. It feels like it's getting worse.

And let's be honest, it's really easy to let all of the negative energy from what we're reading about get into our soul and mind. Negativity can have a huge impact on our mental well-being, but understanding its impact is crucial to developing strategies to overcome it and cultivate a more positive mindset!

Let's talk about some ways you can combat negativity and how positivity plays an important role. 

Understanding the Impact of Your Environment

The people, places, and things that surround us play a profound role in shaping our mindset and outlook on life. Positive influences can uplift us, inspire us, and encourage us to see the world in a more optimistic light.

Conversely, negative influences can drag us down, instill doubt and fear, and contribute to a sense of hopelessness. The company we keep, the environments we frequent, and the media we consume all have the power to either nurture our positivity or feed our negativity. Understanding the impact of these influences is essential to taking control of our mental well-being and surrounding ourselves with positivity.

Identifying Negative Influences

Recognizing negative influences in your life is the first step toward mitigating their impact and cultivating a more positive environment. You can't change what you don't recognize! Start by paying attention to how you feel after interacting with certain people, consuming specific media, or spending time in particular environments. If you consistently feel drained, anxious, or discouraged, it may be a sign that these influences are negatively impacting you.

Take time to observe the behaviors and attitudes of those around you. Negative influences often exhibit pessimism, cynicism, and a lack of empathy. They may constantly criticize others or engage in gossip and drama. By being mindful of these behaviors, you can quickly identify negative influences and limit your exposure and interactions to them.

Consider how certain media sources or environments affect your mood and mindset. If you find that watching the news or scrolling through social media leaves you feeling anxious or depressed, it may be time to reassess your consumption habits. Limiting your exposure to negative media and seeking more uplifting content can help shift your mindset toward positivity. What you consume, you become!

Trust your instincts. If something feels off or doesn't align with your values, it's okay to distance yourself from it. 

Negative influences can also reinforce negative thought patterns and erode self-esteem. Make conscious choices about the influences you allow into your life. 

Managing Emotions 

Managing your emotions plays a crucial role in handling negativity and staying positive. Emotions are a natural and integral part of being human, and how you respond to them can significantly impact your mental health and well-being.

The truth is, we cannot control what's going on in the world but we CAN manage our emotions in response to what we see and experience. This quote is a great way to picture what happens if we let negativity take over: 

"Ships don't sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down."

Will there always be outside circumstances going on around us that are difficult? Of course! It's important to acknowledge those things because there will be times when we can be the solution. However, there will be plenty of times when we can't be responsible for what's going on in the world. 

If we allow the outside things that are happening to sink us, then we're no good to anyone, especially ourselves. But If we can direct the boat towards the things we can bring change to, then that's when we can be truly alive!

Cultivating Positive Relationships

Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people is crucial for maintaining a healthy mindset and overall well-being. 

Building a community of positive relationships takes time and effort. I have a resource to help you that provides a guide for building your inner circle here. 

When you intentionally create your circle, it makes all the difference!

Creating a Positive Physical Environment

Your physical surroundings can have a profound impact on your mood and mindset. Have you ever felt stress and anxiety when walking into a cluttered or disorganized environment? I'm NUTS about cleaning and decluttering because I spend so much time at home with work and with family.

A clean, organized space usually always makes us feel calm and clear. Not only that, but the colors, lighting, and overall ambiance of your environment can also influence your mood, too. Bright, natural light can uplift your spirits and improve your energy levels, while dim or harsh lighting can have the opposite effect. 

You definitely don't have to do a complete renovation on your personal space, but you can take time to declutter and make it a space that you feel your best!

Engaging in Positive Activities

We all have things we love to do, and that's because they bring us joy and support our well-being and mental health. Our brains literally release chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, which are known as "feel-good" neurotransmitters when we are doing positive activities.

It's easy to put aside activities that bring us joy because sometimes we feel like they aren't as important as things we "have" to do. But regularly participating in activities that make you happy can help to maintain a positive outlook on life and improve your resilience to stress and adversity.

The next time you find yourself putting activities you enjoy on the back burner, remember that those are the very things that give you life!

In the end, embracing positivity is not merely about avoiding negativity; it's about actively cultivating an environment that fosters growth, resilience, and happiness! 

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