How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

In a world that seems like it's on fire most of the time, whether it be a global pandemic or crashing economies, it can be hard to stay positive and motivated. This is understandable, seeing as many business owners and employees have seen terrifying times the past year, not knowing when things will get back to normal and if that is even a possibility. Nothing can stress a person out as easily as money, and one can't help but feel a little alone in the situation, even though millions of people are facing the same fate. But, there is light to shed on all the negativity shown on the news each day, and there are ways to shut out the pessimistic opinions and comments while keeping your mindset and thoughts in the right direction. That said, here are some tips on how to stay positive in a negative world.

Surround yourself 

Whether it be family, friends, or your pets, having life around you will help you stay positive. No person is made to be alone; it's literally not in our DNA to distance ourselves from other people. This means that surrounding yourself with loved ones is exactly what the doctor ordered when you're feeling blue. One of the reasons so many people worldwide have attested to falling into depression during lockdowns and restrictions is that they had to say goodbye to the world and lock themselves in their homes, some living alone and not seeing another soul for days on end. But, whenever possible, or whenever you're facing a stressful situation, step one is involving your inner circle and allowing them to help and guide you where they can. There's nothing as sweet as affirmations from a loved one, and it might be that little nudge you needed when you felt like giving up. 

Tech detox

Have you felt like a failure, afterward scrolling through social media and seeing all these happy, beautiful people living their best lives, and felt even more like climbing in bed and never getting out again? The truth is that social media paints an incomplete picture of what reality is, and more often than not, what you're seeing isn't at all what the facts actually are. Things like filters and other cosmetic apps can morph a photo into looking totally different than the original. Still, you only get to see the one that makes you feel especially bad about yourself. Doctors have seen a phenomenon in young girls who visited their practices wanting to look more like Instagram models and have even given the occurrence a name; Snapchat Dysmorphia. This term refers to the influence of social media filters driving young girls to undergo plastic surgery to look more like the filtered versions of themselves. Try doing a tech detox every now again - who knows; you might like it so much, you'll be looking up how to deactivate Instagram and make it permanent.

Reward yourself

Life goes both ways! Too many people are quick to scold themselves when they make a mistake but don't even remember to give themselves a pat on the back when they do something right. It's important to remember that you are your number one priority and that taking care of yourself should always be at the very top of your to-do list. So, after a long week, a hard day at the office, or even a tough meeting, reward yourself a bit - it can be as minor as your favorite lunch spot or as lavish as a shopping spree. You'd be surprised at what a reward system can do for your motivation levels. Before you know it, it'll incentivize you to work even harder in hopes of having another opportunity to grab yourself a nice, juicy reward. 

Take personal time

This is not a reward but a crucial element to coping with stress and challenging times. Sometimes, months can even go by where you're constantly hustling from one appointment to the next meeting, to another client, and so on. You may even feel like you barely have time to breathe, let alone personal time. But, whether it be half an hour to meditate in the mornings or a few minutes at night to take a hot bath and read a book, those moments that are your own to use as you please are essential to maintaining a balanced life. 

By following the above tips, you'll be feeling more positive and motivated in no time. After all, there is a lot to be optimistic about; you just need to pay attention to it!