Dear Erin,

      I’m struggling with my mindset right now; it always seems to be so negative. What are some things I can do that can help me obtain a more positive mindset?

Dear Negative Viewer,

With the many hurdles life throws at us, whether it be small incidents or life-altering accidents, it’s easy to view everything around you with negativity and hatred. However, with this negativity comes self-loathing, fear of the future, and an unhealthy relationship with the past. To offset these, it’s important to look at life with a positive mindset, no matter the situation. A way to do this is to release your grip on the past. Simply sit in a room, with no distractions, and ponder your past. While doing this, look at any memories that hurt you or you regret and accept them. Accept past events that have occurred in your life and the fact that there is no changing what happened in the past, but changing the future is entirely possible.

Speaking of the past, another way to improve your mindset on life is to aspire for the future. Whether it be your career or family, having plans for the future can help offset negativity by relieving stress and worry, as well as giving yourself a sense of purpose in life. Along with the burden of stress and worry being lifted from your shoulders, you also have your life goals cemented into your mind. Now that you know what you want, you can work to obtain the life you want and live that life in no time.

Negativity can be initiated by being inside a negative environment. A negative environment can include environments that cause stress, physical/mental harm, or unease. It’s important to distance yourself from a negative environment, whether that be an atmosphere or people. Create the environment you would like to be in every day, even if it may not be the easiest thing in the world. Once you gain a positive atmosphere, you will find yourself happier, more comfortable, and more confident than ever before.

You are the most important person in your life, so prioritizing your state of well-being is crucial. Whatever is dragging you down, you should speak about it with a trusted friend or adult in your life, when asking first of course. Treating yourself with utmost importance, whether it be being aware when something is wrong, helping yourself out, or asking for help from others, strengthens your self-image and confidence. If you may be doubting yourself in life, spend time with someone who you love being around. When spending time with the people you like, you start finding out what you should like about yourself, whether it be little quirks or your entire personality.

Life itself is absolutely a struggle. It’s tedious and requires patience and hard work, even with a helping hand. However, at the end of every day is a time to reflect on the progress you’ve made. Every single step, large or small, is a step towards the ultimate goal of living your life with hope and positivity. Remember that even with all the pressure of the world on your shoulders, you can still come out victorious!

Sincerely,

Erin