Amidst everything that seems to be unfolding around you these days, you may find yourself dealing with negative thoughts now more than ever.
I, too, often become mixed in with the chaos of battling my thoughts.
As a writer of personal development topics, I should know better than to go down into the sinkhole of unpleasant thoughts. Yet, just because I know negative thoughts are not purposeful, I am not immune to getting mired in the quicksand of these annoyances. I find myself sounding the alarm in the mix because I know that negative thoughts will most always breed negative thoughts.
I think it’s important to realize we must learn to interject, not necessarily fight, not to have negative thoughts in the first place. Part of what makes us all human means that negative thoughts will enter our minds. After all, we can always handpick something we wish could have gone differently in every situation or event.
Here is our aha moment, though—it’s what we choose to do next that will have the most impact on our lives.
The next time you find yourself headed for negativity, try to shift your mindset using these five strategies:
1. Be Mindful Of Sulking
Do you remember the last time you went down the slippery slope of negativity? I do. I was sitting on the couch, feeling pretty crappy. When I feel this way, I return to what I know, and that is, the mind is a powerful tool. This is not groundbreaking information; however, the realization that we have a lot more control than we realize is the part I think so many of us oversee. For me, complaining aloud often adds to the stress of the situation. When I feel the need to talk about a problem, I try to do so cautiously. I know I need to “get it out” or perhaps assess the situation, but then I either find a way to put the “fire out” or attempt to leave the issue alone, especially if it’s out of my control. When I talk about a problem, it will often produce even more stress in my body. Therefore, I always try to be mindful of the amount of time I am willing to spend on a problem. It is in our favor to spend more time working on the solution. The next time you feel like moping about, try to assess the situation from a new perspective:
What can be done to fix the problem?
Is this in my control or out of my control?
How much of my time do I want to spend on this?
2. Find A Healthy Outlet
When everything seems to be going down the drain, be ready with a backup plan. Having a plan in place can help disrupt the negativity. It also helps to know ahead of time what will work for you. Finding a healthy outlet is essential to your long-term well-being. When you lean towards unhealthy substances, such as drinking, smoking, or excessive eating, this behavior can magnify the situation. The anxiety and guilt as a result of these activities can often leave us feeling worse. It is essentially the icing on the cake. Instead, choose healthy choices or habits that create endorphins. Think To counteract the sulking and negativity, try to ask yourself what you could be doing instead. Can you go for a long walk? Journal? Throw yourself into a passion project? Or what about clean? I have done some cleaning mad, and while the feelings don’t immediately leave me, the kitchen is at least clean.
3. Know Your Triggers And Change The Story
Is it the same familiar conversation with a family member that sets you off? Anxiety with a coworker? Is it a rude acquaintance that gets under your skin? Know what sets you off and why. Break a previous scenario down in your mind and be aware of the story you repeatedly tell yourself. If you are anxious before a situation even happens, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Remember, what you choose to place your focus on is amplified. It is essential to be careful what thoughts are taking space in the residence of your mind. Instead of ruminating, learn to relabel crises as a moment to grow and transform your situation. Be kind to your mind, and focus on staying in control of the story.
4. Go Towards Gratitude
It is beneficial to be thankful for our negative thoughts. I know what you may be thinking. Now I am supposed to be grateful for my negative thoughts? Well, yes- to some extent. Let me give you an example. When our minds try to tell us something that is not useful, such as, “This business is never going to work.” Or, “I hate the way I look.” Instead, try saying, “Thank you mind for being concerned, but that thought is not helping me.” Separating thoughts from yourself creates space, offers the opportunity to listen to our thoughts, and provides us a moment to realize those words are not helping the situation. It takes consistent cognitive and behavioral work to commit to being positive, so do not fret if this habit takes a while to build.
5. Make A Note Of The Thought But Then Choose Not To Believe It
Remember, just because a negative thought enters your mind doesn’t mean you need to believe it. Author Neville Goddard once said, “It is not what you want that you attract; you attract what you believe to be true.” Thoughts are things, and it is up to us to decide which thoughts we have are worth keeping around. When negative thoughts enter your mind, take a second to pause and separate yourself from the thought. Remember, thoughts are things. I often use this question to decide:
Is this thought serving me any purpose?
If it isn’t, I let the thought go.
I would love to know if you found any of these strategies helpful.