5 Steps to a More Positive YOU

Although it is not always an easy task, you will usually see me talking about positivity, happiness and laughter. While there are many ups and downs in life, I find myself always trying to look on the positive side of things. This is not to say that I don’t have bad days (I definitely do) but I firmly believe that when you choose to be positive it helps you become the best version of yourself. Even when things get hard it really helps those challenging situations much easier to bear.

Now, it’s not like it totally comes natural to me, I’ve definitely had to learn to train myself to be positive and I’ll be honest, sometimes it is a LOT of work. So here are five steps to becoming a more positive you:

STEP ONE: BELIEVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS A CHOICE

It’s much easier to tell yourself that people are either positive or they are negative. I have had a tendency in the past to blame my negativity on all outside elements all of which I couldn’t control. I’d dwell on it and let it eat away at me. One thing I could control? The way I CHOOSE to see things.

I’ve taught myself that no matter the situation you are in, you have a choice at the way you want to handle it. For example, just a week or so ago, something pretty shitty happened to me. I could have let it get to me and dwell on it for weeks and be upset and negative about the situation but instead I decided to face it and move on. I looked at the bright side of things chose to be positive and not let it ruin the rest of my day, week or month.

Now when I find myself in a bad situation, I know that it’s up to me to find the good, to be positive regardless of what’s happening around me. I no longer point fingers and place blame. I realize that everything happens how it happens, and it’s up to me to choose how I want to feel about it. I am in control of my attitude, and no one can take that away from me.

STEP TWO: RID YOUR LIFE OF NEGATIVITY

OMG guys — how many times have I talked about this?! I cannot emphasize enough that if you want to live a positive and happy life, you canNOT be surrounded by negative people who don’t encourage your happiness. Listen, the saying is true — misery DOES love company. Negative people are attracted to each other and while no one has a perfect life by any means there are just some people who are consistently negative and bring you down and THOSE are the people to rid your life of.

I know it sounds awful to just rid your life of certain people but you have to be selfish from time to time and think of yourself. I’ve been in bad friendships and relationships and while it can feel extremely difficult to get rid of that in your life, once you do it’s almost as if a weight has been lifted off you.

I’ve learned to focus on different things – my blog, work and surrounding myself with people who share the same interests and positive thoughts because in the end this is how you truly grow in life. Negativity attracts more negativity while positive thoughts/people only bring more of that into your life as well.

STEP THREE: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

In every person, in every situation, there is something good. Most of the time it’s not obvious. We have to look. And sometimes we have to look hard. Happy people choose to focus on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative. I try to remember to be grateful every single day for the life I have and express it whenever I can.

Everything—good and bad—is a learning experience so, at the very least, you can learn from bad experiences. However, there’s usually even more to it than that. If you really take the time to look, you will usually find something good, something genuinely positive, about every person or situation.

Moral of the story? There is always, always, something to be grateful for.

STEP FOUR: TREAT OTHERS WELL.

Everyone wants to be treated kindly. But more than that, deep down we also want to treat others with the same respect that we would like given to us. Learn to treat everyone you meet with kindness and patience. I always live by this and try to remember to do it even when I’m having the worst of days.

Give someone a compliment, be nice and engaging. Sometimes the smallest (yet kindest) interactions make the biggest impact in someones day. It’s definitely happened to me.

I try not only to treat others as I would like to be treated, but I also try to consider how they would like to be treated. People appreciate positivity, and the more you share it with others, the more you are practicing it your own life.

STEP FIVE: SMILE!

I know this one sounds silly but I kid you not, it always boggles my mind how very few people smile! I’m a big believer in smiling, laughing and just being silly every single day. I mean, is there really any better feeling than to laugh until the tears start flowing? There’s something so fulfilling about laughing – it’s contagious and instantly makes everyone around you want to smile as well. Plus, have you ever really smiled at someone who didn’t reciprocate it back? Didn’t think so…

Finally just always remember, happiness and positivity is a choice that you can always make so try to take these few steps and help it change you for the better. I promise it will!

Love, Olia