Be Positive

You know those shiny, happy people who make everyone around them feel like a dark, ominous cloud? Well, I’ve never really been one of them. While I wouldn’t call myself a pessimist, I might not be the most positive person there ever was. Cards on the table. I’m a high-strung, Type A personality who works 12+ hours a day in a high stress, fast-paced environment. I don’t like to wait. I don’t like people who walk slowly. I don’t like it when things don’t go exactly according to my carefully laid plans.

It has been pointed out to me that perhaps my outlook could use some refreshing. Oh, and that I need to relax.

Fine.

While the responsibilities and obligations of adulthood make being completely carefree a challenge for many of us, it may still be a worthwhile goal.

So with that being said, I am going to embark on an odyssey to improve my quality of life by being more positive on a daily basis. Changing how you initially react to things isn’t easy, but I’m committed to trying to make this change.

And what – you ask – does this entail?

(1) Be grateful: How can you appreciate things as they come into your life if you don’t acknowledge what you already have?

• I have an amazing family – They’re completely insane, yes, but they’re also warm, loving, supportive and loyal.
• I have unbelievable friends – I have met some truly amazing people in my life, from my best friend in junior high & high school who I don’t get to see as often as I like, to the girls that adopted me in college and without whom I wouldn’t be who I am today, to my work friends who make my daily life so much more enjoyable.
• I live in a gorgeous city that I adore – Just seeing the views from my office building puts a smile on my face.
• In an awful economy where jobs are scarce, I’m lucky enough to have a great, challenging job in an interesting field where I’m surrounded by bright, well-educated, hard-working people.

(2) Realize what matters: Does it really matter if you wait a few minutes for a friend to meet you for dinner? Does it really matter if every little detail of a weekend is planned out or goes according to those plans? No! What matters is being able to enjoy yourself and when you’re filled with stress and anxiety about everything you can’t control, you’re not enjoying yourself. In fact, you’re probably giving yourself ulcers.

• Accept what you can and cannot control.
• Realize that the journey, even filled with roadblocks & speed bumps, is just as important as where you end up.
• Find joy in the little things. Singing along to a great song. Sharing a meal with someone you care about. Laughing with a friend. Finishing an amazing book. These are just as important as the big things and deserve to be savored.
• Make time for love. All of the songs can’t be wrong, love is worth fighting for. Whether you’re having dinner with your family, falling in love for the first time, or just filling your day with people and experiences you love, make sure not to underestimate how important this is.

(3) Find Inspiration: Find something that reminds you to cherish what you have. It could be different for everyone, but for me, I love hearing what other people have to say. Reading a great writer talk about how grateful they are for the things in their life or watching a hilarious motivational video will make me appreciate what I have all the more. Here are some to get you started.

• Rachel Wilkerson is one of the funniest, no-nonsense bloggers out there and in this video, she talks about how women need to stop “hating” on their lives and think about how good they have it – Stop Being A Hater. She also tells you that sometimes its ok to just SHHHHH yourself.
• Everyday Life Lessons – This website is nothing short of inspirational, it’s a community of people sharing life’s little lessons. A little cheesy, but I think we all could use some cheese in our lives!
• The blog Polish My Crown is great to get yourself out of a funk, the About page simply says: “Polish My Crown is a go-to guide to encourage and inspire you to live your life to the absolute fullest by being your fabulous, magnificent self.” It’s unabashedly sweet and optimistic, but not nauseatingly so.

“There is nothing to hold you back except yourself. There is only one question to ask yourself here: “What would you do if you were not afraid?” Think about it.”

Do you think that you’re a positive person? Do you have a tip or recommendation for me to help my positivity?

January 12, 2012 | Categories: Fashion | Tags: Changing your attiitude, Everyday Life Leasons, Polish My Crown, Positivity, Rachel Wilkerson | 14 Comments