It’s the new year and the start of fresh beginnings. You might be torn on how you can have a positive mindset with all the bad events or mishaps of 2019. Some also think that 2020 can be just as complicated. Others find it hard to remain positive throughout the year. Being realistic and a bit cynical can prove to be challenging when trying to accomplish your life's goals, especially if you are subconsciously holding onto last year's events. Making a transition to having a positive mindset can make a huge difference in your life! And the great thing about the trials and tribulations of the year before, is that they help make you stronger for the next thing that comes around!
If 2019 had been awful, take the opportunity to take charge of your 2020. There are different ways to be positive in this year of the rat. If you are wondering where to start and what to do, here are some tips to inspire you. It's up to you if you'll try them. But hey, there's no harm in trying to be positive in this distracted world.
TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET IN 2020
The 'New year, new me' concept has been around for a while. The thing is, it doesn't have to be in the new year that we can set new goals for ourselves. We can always start anytime. And the sooner you start, the better off life tends to be. Being more positive on a day to day basis is a muscle in our brain that requires constant affirmations and applications.
DITCH THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTION LIST
The new year's resolution is a tradition. But isn't it the same thing that potentially frustrates us every year due to unnecessary pressure? Sometimes when we wait until Jan 1 to make changes, we feel a heavy pressure that we NEED to accomplish every resolution we set out for ourselves. This method doesn't work for a large population of people. It can sometimes lead to a high percentage of failure when crazy time limits, lack of planning, and extreme measures are taken. Why not try to ditch it this year? You don't have to limit yourself with your list and you can open your doors for more possible changes during the whole year. Frustration is not a positive feeling and you will only resent such a list if you feel you aren't living up to the standard of the resolution.
Life is unpredictable. You may find yourself falling in love again with the stuff that you've decided to remove from your life, like ice cream or traveling! Don't be pressured just because the rest are doing something. What works for them may not work for you. To have a positive mindset, you must realize that it's okay to be different regardless if it's about a new year's resolution list or not.
Just be yourself and always be open to feedback about the things that you need to improve this year. In the end, constructive criticisms and positive feedbacks are what make us go the EXTRA mile this 2020 and not a list! And of course, living YOUR truth!
CHANGE YOUR WARDROBE
Change is one thing that remains constant in life, especially in fashion! If you want to master a positive mindset, it should start from the way you see yourself. One thing that can help you feel great about yourself is your wardrobe. Have the style that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Feeling good about yourself is a form of positive self-talk or self-affirmation.
Self-affirmation is a theory coined by David Sherman and Geoffrey Cohen in 1988. It is deemed as self-defense to maintain our self-identity with positive self-talk. Negative self-talk often leads to low self-esteem and affects the way you see life in the long run, leading to a detrimental and corroded outlook on life.
There is so much positive change when you constantly allow yourself look and feel your best. Worried that changing your wardrobe can get expensive? Spin-off your creative side and try checking out new styles from Pinterest and Youtube. You can also sell your old clothes to fund your shopping. The goal is to boost your confidence and make you feel good about yourself - a start for a positive mindset.
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY
Sometimes, being positive is not only with the mind. It is also highly influenced by the people around us and the energy we allow in. This year, start choosing the people you absolutely love to spend time with. If 2019 was full of bad relationship arguments, it's a good idea to be selective this year.
Try to unfollow people who are toxic and only give you negative emotions regardless of how you were to them. Let them go and don't torture yourself for exposing yourself to their negativity.
Instead, choose people who are jolly, kind, optimistic, down-to-earth, and real. If you are in a circle of good people, you will notice that life becomes vibrant and promising. Surround yourself with good friends and good influences and see how it helps to cultivate your positive mindset in the long run.
WATCH POSITIVE SHOWS, MOVIES, OR CONTENT
What we expose ourselves to has a direct impact on how we perceive things. You may not notice it but sometimes, the way people think is highly affected by the things they see on screen or from the Internet. Choose to select good and inspiring movies or shows that don't cater to and give off negative feelings like horror and thriller movies. Same with social media. Unfollow accounts where you feel yourself comparing to them. That is incredibly unhealthy for a positive mindset.
One good TV show that is highly recommended by many is Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. It has inspired many people to tidy up their homes and it has also influenced many couples and families with a more positive mindset on the home front. Cleaning clutter and living a life with less attachment can do wonders for your outlook on life.
Avoid watching shows that can highly affect your well-being and outlook in life. Always remember that reality can be reflected on what information we consume. May it be a show we're watching or a page about motivation. Everything you see is unconsciously changing the way you think. Just focus on the good stuff or that favorite good-feels movie to lighten up your mood. Spread love and positivity!
ENHANCE YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Your body and well-being are the best partners to help you be more positive this 2020. If you start eating healthy, amazing changes can happen within weeks! Our physical health is directly linked to our behavior. Try eating more vegetables or start eliminating processed foods. Working out will also help to release the good endorphins to help with a positive mood. If you are new to working out, don't over pressure yourself. Slowly add in routines and shake it up each week with yoga, strength training, and cardio. Drinking plenty of water is also essential in keeping your body energized and hydrated. Lastly, give yourself a powerful recharge by getting quality sleep. Sleep is the master of all healing! Lack of sleep can only make you grumpy and exhausted throughout the day. Thus, making you start to feel negative emotions too. A positive mindset includes giving yourself all the healthy stuff it needs to make you feel and think better and happier.
These recommendations are just the tip of the iceberg but once you have started it, you may find yourself in a fluid routine of improving your health.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Having new stuff to look forward to each day or every weekend is a beautiful way of improving your mindset this year. And, it challenges your brain! Try finding a new hobby such as painting, crochet, cross-stitching, drawing, or learn a new sport. Enhancing the skills that you can use for work is also worth the shot! Enrolling or engaging in such activities will refresh your mind while developing the performance of your brain. Learning a new language is also great brain stimulation!
These new activities will also challenge your commitment and urge to be a better version of yourself. You will also discover parts of yourself that you've never seen before. Knowing yourself is a lifelong process. In the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie said that he even learned something about himself a day before he passed away. With this concept, you can imagine how much we still have left to learn!
Knowing yourself will help you accept and embrace your flaws. When we accept ours flaws, that's how we can build self-love and see our self-worth. Self-love and being kinder to yourself is the pillar of a positive mindset. It will reflect not only to you as an individual, but also to your relationships.
This year, we hope that you start prioritizing yourself by being optimistic. Be more so you can give more. When you do share the love and spread positivity and inspire, others can follow suit!