How to harness the power of positivity: choose optimism, foster a supportive environment, and live in the present (Updated)

• When you find yourself in a less than desirable situation, it’s easy to react with negativity; however, it’s more beneficial to channel positivity instead.
• In fact, if you learn to harness the power of positivity in your everyday, you’ll be well-prepared to deal with the bad.
• One way to embrace positivity is to aim for optimism over pessimism. Instead of assuming the worst, hope for the best.
• Also, surround yourself with positive things and positive people; if you find an area of your life that is having a negative impact on you, adjust accordingly.
• Additionally, don’t act like it’s the end of the world every time something doesn’t go your way; try to laugh or shake off the things that aren’t in your control.
• Finally, learn how to express yourself properly when dealing with ill situations and do your best to live in the present, as opposed to ruminating over the past or future.

If you’ve ever made a big move, you know just how difficult the process can be… even when you’re an experienced mover. This is what I found to be true a few months ago during my fourth move.

The day kicked off rather well, actually: a few nice guys offered to help and magically carried all of my furniture inside, without a single issue. But you know what they say: you can’t appreciate the highs without the lows. So, I was consequently showered with lows after that great triumph. I’ll spare you all of the details, but let’s just say there were a lot of groans, glass shards, and disagreements. And to round out my day, I had a 2+ hour phone call with Comcast. Surprisingly enough, this should’ve-been-gruesome phone call is what turned my day and my attitude around.

“If you are constantly waiting for negative things to happen to you, then negativity will indeed manifest,” the man on the other end of the phone told me. And as much as I didn’t want to admit that this man (who minutes earlier compared my college mascot to some strange Hawaiian cake) was right… he was right. It was then that I decided to embrace the power of positivity. And I want to help you do the same. So, here are some tips for you:

1) Opt for the optimistic route.
There are typically two routes you can take in life: the optimistic one or the pessimistic one. Choose the optimistic one. Before we managed to get my dresser out of my previous place and into my new apartment, I was convinced it wasn’t possible. It is the heaviest piece of furniture you could possibly imagine, and I was sure there was no way my dad and I would be able to transport it. But, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” my dad told me. While we certainly didn’t get the dresser into my apartment with our strength alone, I’m convinced his positivity and good vibes gifted us with some strong (and kind) people to help us accomplish our mission.

2) Create a positive environment.
How you spend your time and who you spend it with are direct reflections of yourself. So, make the effort to cultivate a positive environment. That means surrounding yourself with good people, utilizing calming (or perhaps empowering) color schemes and other decorative techniques, prioritizing the activities that make you happy. It can even help to consider the kind of TV you’re watching. If you’re watching over-the-top dramatic reality shows 24/7, it can definitely have an impact on your own life. In sum, be conscientious of exactly how you’re spending your time and make changes accordingly.

3) Don’t make mountains out of molehills.
As silly as this phrase sounds, it’s a great piece of advice. It means that you shouldn’t turn something so small into something so big. Keep it all in perspective. I certainly didn’t follow this tip on moving day; it felt like the end of the world when my Internet and cable refused to work and my dad nearly shattered a lightbulb on my head. But it only felt that way because I let it. Looking back, a much better way to handle these situations is to laugh or shake it off.

4) Learn how to express yourself appropriately.
Even when you do assume a positive mindset, bad things can still come your way. I know it seems unfair, but that’s life. It doesn’t always go the way you want or plan. So, you need to know how to deal with dilemmas. Talk about it calmly and openly with a loved one; build yourself up by remembering all the good things; laugh it off (this is always an option). Figure out the best way to handle less than fortunate predicaments and you’ll foster more positivity going forward.

5) Live in the moment.
Don’t get caught up in your worries about the future or your regrets about the past. Instead, focus on the present. This way, you’re not lighting the fire under negative emotions and you have time and energy to dedicate to being positive about the here and now. I know this is easier said than done—but just try to be mindful about the moment you’re in. Your wellbeing just might depend on it.

Moral of the story: trust your dad and let positivity outshine negativity. Not only will it make moving day go much more smoothly, but it will light a path for a happy, fulfilling life.

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