Shifting Your Mindset for a Positive Attitude

Not to be excessively deep or philosophical, but one of the only constants in life is change. Day-to-day events can turn on a dime and leave you reeling. Your kid’s ride to school cancelled last minute, what fun. You spilled your morning coffee all over your laptop, RIP. Your partner dropped an entire pizza in the oven and now the cheesy mess is smoking out your apartment and the fire alarms are going off and everyone is already hangry to begin with… you know what, this is getting too personal.

The point is life doesn’t always go our way. Some things are simply out of our control, but is there anything we can even do about it?

Why yes, thankfully there is.

The Difference Between Mindset and Attitude

Establishing a healthy mindset can help you not only roll with the punches, but it can also help you feel better when things don’t go according to plan.

Your mindset is how you see the world around you, or your perception. Your attitude is how you react to that world. So, if your kid’s ride has cancelled on you there are a couple of ways to engage with that situation.

You can become frustrated with the person that cancelled, feel stressed about it, drive them yourself but have your thoughts spiraling about how behind you are at work now and drop them off without a second thought and hurrying through your day with more than a pinch of resentment.

Or.

You can find understanding and compassion—something might not have gone right in that person’s world today. Find the positives where you can. Regardless of what is going on, you get to spend a little extra time with your child if you drive them yourself. And that’s always something to be grateful for. You may find that gratitude in little moments like these can fill your cup and bring you joy throughout your day.

Which one sounds more ideal to you?

Ways to Cultivate a Healthier Mindset

Granted, every day isn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows and sometimes there won’t be a silver lining. We’re also not condoning toxic positivity—there will be some situations that will wear you down and that’s part of living too. However, a more balanced state of mind can keep cortisol levels at an even keel and provide a healthier approach to daily struggles that both your body and mind will thank you for.

1.      Surround Yourself with Good Company

We’re talking about the folks that build you up. The people that bring out the best version of yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s ten people, one bestie or that third cousin that’s twice removed and pulls no punches. Whoever fills your social cup and makes you see the world through a brighter lens, have them over and catch up. You may find their point of view is something you can learn from.

2.      Don’t Fear Change

If change has caused you pain in the past, it can be tough to trust it in the present. However, no growth can come from a stagnant life. Try to be open to the possibility of good coming from change, as scary as that may feel. We’re not always ready for it, but many times we may find that change was exactly what we needed to become a better version of ourselves. Try to embrace that.

3.      Establish a Healthy Lifestyle

The mind-body connection is crucial when it comes to building a strong foundation for a flourishing mindset. Getting enough restful sleep, managing stress, maintaining a healthy diet, prioritizing exercising and drinking enough water will all help grow and nourish a positive attitude and more fulfilling lifestyle in general. When you take care of your body, it will take care of you—be sure to be kind to yourself and the rest will fall into place.

4.      Spend More Time Outside

You know how some hospitals offer healing gardens? That’s because being in nature can help relieve stress and calm our minds for easier recovery. It’s that mind-body connection again—staying in touch with the world around us, especially the more peaceful parts, can help us find gratitude in the little things and support a brighter outlook as well. If you don’t have easy access to parks or gardens, you can also grow your own plants indoors. You don’t need a green thumb to grow a snake plant and self-watering globes make maintenance a breeze.

5.      Grow Your Skills and Hobbies

Have a craft that brings you joy or makes you feel fulfilled? Hone in on those skills. Hobbies help us create a calming atmosphere and can also help establish a sense of identity that we can feel proud of. It feels good to know that we’re talented at certain things, but it can also be rewarding to try new hobbies and conquer the learning curve. Whether it’s baking, woodworking, birdwatching or taking care of that new snake plant—do what brings you bliss, you deserve that.

6.      Appreciate the Small Things

When life goes haywire, it can be easy to overlook the little things that make us better or even more resilient. You don’t have to believe that everything happens for a reason to appreciate the small gifts life can bring even when everything seems to go wrong. Keep an eye out and an open mind, you may find that the tools you need are right in front of you for better opportunities ahead.

7.      Give Yourself the Space to Rest

Often overlooked, but probably the most important way to keep a healthy mindset—give yourself grace and give your mind time to recover. There are plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, but you won’t be able to do so if you’re mentally drained. Take the time to rest, whatever that looks like. Take that bath, drink that tea, wear those pjs or pet that cat. Control what you can, let go of what you can’t, allow yourself to feel your emotions and remember that emotions are temporary.

And if anyone hasn’t told you yet—good job today. You did your best and that’s enough for us.