Do you want to learn how to be more positive? Life is always happier when you look on the bright side. If you don’t know how, we have the tips you need.
There’s no denying that life can be difficult sometimes. Hard times are made even harder with an attitude that borders on Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, rather than Tigger. But we can all learn how to be more positive.
In fact, not only can we learn, but we should learn how to be more positive. Because knowing how to see the bright side of any given situation will help you avoid getting into any negative slumps.
While learning how to be positive isn’t going to happen overnight, you will notice small changes pretty quickly. You simply need to start implementing new practices into your life that help you to reframe your mindset.
You’ll face a difficult situation and be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s not exactly as easy as just deciding to be more positive. [Read: Positive vibes – 17 ways to welcome positive energy into your life]
Why do we need positive emotions?
Being positive holds great benefits for both your health and mental well-being. Positivity seriously helps you in the battle against poor mental health. The problem is, when you’re surrounded by negativity every single day, it’s hard to maintain that bright outlook.
The good news? There are a few ways you can do that, without catching the negative disease that’s doing the rounds.
How a negative mindset can destroy your life
If you look at successful people, what do you usually see? [Read: 70 true secrets to happiness to have a happy life and enjoy everything you do]
Typically, they’re friendly and able to keep their mood light throughout the day. You don’t see too many successful people complaining about how crappy their lives are. Why? Because they know how detrimental a negative mindset can be to their life.
Not only can a negative mindset be harmful to your career, but it’ll also impact the rest of your life in horrible ways. [Read: 34 steps to stop being sad and break out of the comfortable misery of sadness]
Your relationships won’t be as healthy and you just won’t enjoy your life as much as you should. Put simply, isn’t life too short to be miserable?
Side effects of negative thinking
Negative thinking can affect us in some very damaging ways. It is well known that it leads to an increased risk of mental health problems, and not very surprisingly so.
But what else can negative thinking cause?
1. Negative outlook on life
Negative thinking has an impact on your mood and overall outlook on life. These thoughts can make you feel sad, angry, afraid, and hopeless.
As a result, you’ll have decreased motivation in life which will hold you back. In essence, it taints the way you view the world.
2. Can’t see opportunities or achieve goals
Negative thinking can also lead to a lowered ability to see opportunities. As a result, you also have a decreased tendency to capitalize on the opportunities even if you do manage to see them.
Because of this, it inhibits your ability to achieve goals in life. [Read: What is my purpose in life – 33 secrets to find meaning when you feel lost]
When you think negative thoughts about achieving a goal, you’re much less likely to accomplish it. It’s like walking through mud instead of going with the flow of water.
3. Limited thinking
Negative thinking can limit your world too. For example, if you wanted to travel to a foreign country, you might think about how bad jetlag will be. Or that you don’t speak the language. Or that you can’t afford it.
Because of these thoughts, all of a sudden, that dream trip doesn’t sound so great anymore. [Read: Negative thinking – 32 signs and ways to stop and get rid of negative thoughts]
And as a result, you miss out on some happy experiences in life because you limit yourself in how you think about them.
4. Perfectionism
Perfectionists are inherently negative thinkers because nothing is “good enough.” They are constantly trying to strive to be perfect. However, there is no such thing as perfection since everything in life is subjective.
Therefore, “perfection” is unattainable. [Read: Dating a perfectionist – things you must know before you date one]
High achievers who are positive thinkers tend to do better because they don’t pick apart everything that could be better. They’re just happy with their accomplishment no matter what.
5. Relationship challenges
Someone who thinks negatively probably has a constant stream of self-criticism in their head that makes them appear needy and insecure. And this negative self-talk can also turn into more negative general habits such as a lack of communication or even a playful attitude.
No one really likes being around someone who is down and depressed all the time. So, people might even start to avoid you if you can’t seem to cheer up and have some fun once in while. [Read: How not to be boring and get people excited to talk and be around you]
6. Negative self-esteem
Positive self-talk is linked to happiness and success in life. When you look at the world in a positive way, you feel more positive about yourself, too.
But when you only have negative thoughts that cross your mind most of them are about yourself. How you look, your intelligence, lack of success, or anything else will creep into your thoughts. And negativity begets more negativity, so you end up having bad self-esteem.
How to stop thinking negatively to be able to think positively
If you want to learn how to think positively, learning how to stop thinking negatively first is the key to starting your journey. After all, any work that you put into thinking positively will just be ruined if those original, negative thought patterns are still there. [Read: Free spirit – what it means and 40 signs and ways to enjoy the flow of life]
But how can you do that? Well, simply cut off every negative thought as it comes into your head. When you start thinking negatively about yourself, stop and consider if you’d make these negative comments about a friend. When you feel your mood become sour because you’re stuck in traffic, recognize that it’s only a small inconvenience and it’s not worth ruining your day over.
It may sound easy, but we’ll acknowledge that it can be hard to talk down every negative thought. It requires a lot of awareness about not only yourself and your thoughts but also the world around you. [Read: 45 Positive and negative personality traits that can change your life forever!]
But once you get into the habit of rationalizing and contextualizing every interaction that could upset you, you’ll really be able to feel more positivity in yourself and the world around you. [Read: 17 life secrets to smile more often, feel great, and laugh your stress away]
Benefits of positive thinking
If it wasn’t already clear, positive thinking isn’t just about being happier and complaining less. Positive thinking can move you forward in life. [Read: These powerful rules will lead you to a positive and happy life]
Learning how to think positively in your everyday life and committing to that can improve your career, your personal life, and your self-esteem. Here’s how:
1. Better stress management and coping skills
When you have negative thoughts constantly racing through your mind, that’s all you can focus on. As a result, you get obsessive and tend to ruminate on things that will just make you feel worse.
Obviously, this contributes to your stress level. It makes you more anxious and less able to cope with a challenging situation in your life. But by making the change to think more positively, you’ll feel the stress melt away from you.
2. Enhanced psychological health
When you think nothing but negative thoughts, it gives you the feeling of depression. Being a pessimist and always thinking the worst is something that will keep you stuck in life. [Read: 52 happy habits and ways to find happiness within yourself and feel better]
Studies have shown that the more positive thoughts you think, the more positive your overall outlook will become. It’s kind of like exercising your muscles—the more you lift weights, the bigger your muscles get. Well, the same is true for your brain.
3. Greater resistance to the common cold
Believe it or not, thinking positive thoughts can make you more resistant to the common cold. Isn’t that great?
Who wouldn’t want to avoid that pesky virus and go through cold and flu season watching everyone else catch it while you go untouched? Anyone would, right? [Read: Self-concept – how we create and develop it to control our happiness]
4. Better mental well-being
Generally speaking, optimists tend to feel better about themselves and their lives. That’s because they’re always looking on the bright side.
They’re always asking themselves what good is in this situation, not the opposite. So, being a glass-half-full person definitely helps with your overall mental well-being.
5. Increased happiness
Have you ever met a person who did nothing but think negatively and who was actually a happy person? Probably not. Negative thoughts lead to a negative life. [Read: 16 types of friendships, benefits and how many you need to be happy in life]
Happy people still have negative situations in life, but they handle them better because of their positive thinking. They don’t let anything drag them down for good. They bounce back and return to their natural state of happiness.
6. Better physical health
Stress is one of the leading causes of disease in the human body. And what helps contribute to stress levels? Negative thinking.
Positive thoughts carry a higher rate of vibration which is healthy for the body. So, when you avoid your negative thinking, you will be a lot healthier—not just your brain, but your whole body too. [Read: 26 secrets to get motivated to work out and exercise your way to a better life]
7. Stronger relationships
If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who is always negative and depressed, you know it isn’t a picnic. It’s no fun to be around a Negative Nancy or Debbie Downer all the time.
So, when you’re happy and more positive, so will everyone else around you. Positivity breeds positivity. In other words, it’s contagious, and it will make all of your relationships happier and stronger.
How to stop negative thinking from seeping into your life
Here’s an example. When you’re driving and someone cuts you off or is driving unbearably slowly, your first reaction may be to get annoyed. That is okay. [Read: Negative Nancy – what makes one, 18 traits, and ways to deal with their attitude]
But, instead of letting that momentary annoyance invade your thoughts, let it roll over you. You can feel annoyed. But don’t think negatively.
Maybe it is a student driver or someone in a rush to tell someone they love them. Or maybe it is someone being dangerous. Either way, this one small annoyance shouldn’t impact your mood for the rest of the day.
Why should a total stranger’s actions have power over your thoughts? Do you want to let this one moment of bad driving make you impatient for the rest of the day? [Read: How to be chill and learn to live happier as a result]
Is it worth being in a bad mood and taking every little inconvenience and letting it get to you?
Do you want to go home in a bad mood and impact your loved ones with the same negative feelings? Will that make your day better? No, of course not.
Instead, let the immediate negative thought happen, acknowledge it, and let it go, so you can move on with your day. [Read: Abandonment issues – what it is, causes, types, 34 signs, and how it hurts you]
Practicing that method will help you enjoy your day more whether you have exciting plans or are running errands.
How to be more positive and have a much better life
Now that you know how negativity and negative thoughts can impact your life, you’re probably wondering if you can change for the positive. But don’t worry. The great news is that you can change your life around even if you’re a primarily negative person by default.
It may not be easy, but trust us—it’ll be worth it. Here’s how to be more positive and give yourself a better, happier life.
1. Start your day with positive thoughts
You don’t want to wake up on the right side of the bed every day. You’ll probably have some mornings where you just want to hide away from the world. But instead of wallowing in your angst, think positively. [Read: 63 cute good morning texts that work like magic to make them smile]
Focus on getting up every day and telling yourself a few positive things about yourself and your life.
Listing those things off every morning can help your brain get into the habit of waking up in a good mood.
2. Step away from negative situations
There will always be bad stuff going on in your life from time to time. The best thing you can do to get away from that is to just walk away. [Read: Mantras to live by – 21 positive mantras that will transform your life]
When something is upsetting you or someone is making you angry, remove yourself from that situation or person and calm down. Put your positive thinking cap on and get back to your happy place.
3. Get rid of negative people in your life *if you can*
Negative people are like leeches. They don’t have any positivity for themselves so they basically have to steal all of yours, leaving you with nothing but negativity.
Get rid of them. We know it might be hard but in order to better your life and become more positive, the people weighing you down need to go. [Read: How to deal with negative people and stop them from sapping your energy]
If you can’t actually step away from them, at least set boundaries and spend less time with them. Your happiness is important—remember that.
4. Surround yourself with positive people
Just as negative people can make you feel worse, positive people will only add to your positivity. They’ll make you feel better.
It pays to surround yourself with people who always seem to be in a good mood. That mood will be certain to rub off on you and you’ll be more positive because of it. [Read: 26 whys and ways to surround yourself with positive people and remodel your life]
5. Reframe negative thoughts when they crop up and you’ll learn how to be more positive
This might take some getting used to, but you can definitely learn how to do it. Whenever you notice yourself being overly negative and down about a situation, just stop those thoughts.
Start thinking of something that makes you happy instead and soon enough, your brain will default to positive thoughts.
If you find the same thought popping up a lot, reframe it into something positive instead. So, if you’re always thinking about how horrible the rain is, start thinking about how nourishing it is for the trees. [Read: 44 warm ways to say “I appreciate you” and show appreciation without words]
It sounds difficult, but the more you repeat the positive attitude, the more likely your brain will jump to it first.
6. Practice gratitude and be grateful for what you have
Truth be told, your life probably isn’t as bad as you think it is. Take a good hard look around and see how much greatness you have.
Taking a minute every day to just appreciate what you have can make you a lot more positive. You’ll start looking at the good things instead of focusing on the negative all the time. [Read: How to be grateful – 20 authentic ways to appreciate and express it]
Why not keep a gratitude diary? Write down three things every day that you’re grateful for from that particular day.
They can be tiny, medium, or big, it doesn’t matter. You’ll soon start to realize that your life is pretty blessed.
7. Think of solutions instead of setbacks
If you’re a pretty negative person, you’re automatically going to sit there and see the setbacks in a situation. A positive person, on the other hand, will see the solutions. [Read: How to release anger – 20 ways to focus on the positives in life]
In both cases, you’re recognizing that there’s a problem but if you want to know how to be more positive, you have to start seeing only solutions. It’ll make you a lot less upset and you won’t complain nearly as often.
8. See a problem as a learning opportunity
When something goes wrong, for sure it can be annoying. But there may be a lesson there. Always look for the lesson and you’ll be able to do better next time.
Learning how to be positive isn’t about never experiencing problems or bad times, it’s about how you look at them. When you can learn, you can do better next time. [Read: Things about love you’ll only learn from experience]
9. Smile more and you’ll learn how to be more positive
You might be annoyed at this one because it seems as though you can’t smile more if you’re overly negative. Well, smiling more can actually help you be more positive.
Your brain can take physical cues from your body and adjust itself. Cool, right?
Smiling more will trick your brain into thinking you’re in a good mood when you might not have been. The result? You’ll put yourself in a good mood. [Read: What makes you happy? It really might not be what you think it is]
10. Correct your posture
This is something many people aren’t aware of but it could potentially make your life a lot better. Your posture is very much connected to your mindset.
If you stand up straight and keep your shoulders back, you’ll be way more positive than if you slouch when you stand.
The other positive is that you’ll appear more confident too, which eventually will make you feel more confident as a result. [Read: Subtle body language rules to appear more confident]
11. Do kind things for others
Doing nice things for someone else can actually put you in a better mood. When you’re bettering the lives of other people, you’ll realize how much good you can be putting out into the world. This will help you think in a more positive way regularly.
Of course, they’ll also feel great and you might even put a smile on their face that will change their day. It’s a win-win all around! [Read: Pay it forward – 20 positive ways to create a chain of goodwill]
12. Spend more time in the sun
Sunshine isn’t just great for Vitamin D, it’s also great for your mood.
Getting some fresh air and being out in the sun can do amazing things for your mood. The next time you’re feeling a little down, get outside. Spending more time outside, in general, will help you be more positive.
13. Do more of the things you love
Maybe you’re in such a bad mood because you haven’t been doing anything you’re passionate about. [Read: 40 ways to have fun with friends, beat boredom, and create new memories]
When was the last time you did something you loved? Something that made you really, really happy? When you do the things that put a smile on your face, you’ll feel more positive and much happier too.
14. Cheer someone else up
Instead of trying to make yourself happier, try to cheer up someone else. Go put some work into bettering someone else’s mood. Then ask yourself what you did to make them happy.
Often, we tend to help other people in the ways that would most help us. Figure out what that is and apply it to your own life. [Read: How to cheer someone up – 36 ways to help them feel awesome again]
15. Fake it ’til you make it
It’s an old saying that still holds true today. If you want to be more positive, just pretend you are and you’ll get there eventually.
This method works by tricking your brain. The more you pretend to be a certain way, the more your brain will think that’s how you should be.
16. Practice learning how to be more positive every single day
This isn’t something that can be accomplished in just a day or a single week. You’ll need to work at it every single day. [Read: How to get your life together – 30 ways to live your best life]
But after a while, you’ll wake up and realize you’re a much more positive person than you ever have been before.
17. Cut down on media exposure
Turn off the media. Yep, that is right. The world is not going to fall to pieces because you didn’t watch all the horrible things on the news or online.
The reality is that if someone wants to do something, they are going to do it no matter what you think or do. [Read: Social media addiction – The 16 alarming symptoms and how to break out]
So, why waste so much time listening to horrible incoming messages? It just makes you feel out of control and doomed. Unplug from the media and you will be instantly amazed by how much more positive you feel. [Read: The toxic dangers of social media and 19 signs and ways it makes you feel insecure]
18. Understand that almost everything on social media is fake
Social media is great in some ways, but it’s pretty toxic in others. Most of what you see on social media platforms is fake or something a person has posted to make themselves feel good.
This is usually achieved by making others feel bad.
We automatically compare our lives to those of others and when you are bombarded with fake news online, you’ll find yourself comparing your life to nothing but a lie. [Read: Social media detox – ways to wean yourself off social media]
19. Always try to see the silver lining
No matter what happens around you, there is something positive that happens as a result.
For every bad situation, there is something good to be found. You might have to look a little harder sometimes more than others. There is always a positive to any negative. It is like a physiological law or something like that at least!
20. Find your purpose and learn how to be more positive
Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? If you sit down and think about what it is that you are here on earth for, it is a daunting question.
If you figure out the big picture, like why we wake up every day and do what we do and what the overall purpose of it is, then it is much easier to think about good versus not-so-good.
Just stop for a second and examine what it is that you want your life to add up to. When you find your purpose, everything feels much more positive.
21. Take a good look around you
It is not hard to start feeling negative and sorry for yourself when things aren’t going the way that you want them to. The thing about life is that no matter how hard you have it, there is usually someone who has it worse than you. [Read: How to be chill and learn to live a happier life as a result]
When we mean someone, we don’t mean your close friends and family. We mean the people involved in natural disasters, war, and poverty.
Those less fortunate than us should always guide us to see the many blessings we have been given and to stop the pity party and negativity that turns even the bluest sky to black.
22. Let go of your past
We hate to say it, but some of us grew up with role models that weren’t exactly encouraging and positive. When you live with people who tell you that life isn’t fair, it isn’t that they aren’t right. [Read: Honest secrets to let go of the past, be happy, and look to the future]
But the truth is that life might not be “fair,” but it is fun and worthwhile even if you don’t have what you want and what everyone else has.
No one is going to get exactly what they want.
That whole phrase “life isn’t fair” is a coward’s way out of explaining that sometimes we don’t get what we want. We get what is good for us. [Read: Letting go of people – why it’s so hard, 29 signs you must, and steps to do it]
Stop thinking the world is just this place that is full of injustice and start seeing that if you didn’t ever have misfortune, how could you possibly understand what it means to be fortunate?
If you grew up in a negative household, you must learn to retire those old notions and feelings. See for yourself that life is a wonder.
The only one who changes your fate is you, so go after it. Forget whatever it is that your role models told you about how the world does or doesn’t work. Decide for yourself. [Read: 32 secrets to be present and live in the moment when life is speeding past you]
23. Experiment a little when learning how to be more positive
Try this for one day—just one, if you want to know how to be positive. Think about nothing but positive things for one day. No matter what comes your way, dismiss it, and think happy thoughts about something else.
Old habits die hard, and if you tend to be someone who thinks negatively, finding positivity isn’t going to come naturally.
But, with some practice, it will come your way. It is going to take some conscious effort to override what you are used to. So, try to find the positive side of life.
24. Change how you speak to yourself and others
If you start talking in positive terms, then your entire outlook will change. What do we mean? Stop saying words like “never,” “not,” “don’t,” and other negative terms. [Read: Positive self-talk – what it is, where it comes from, and how to master it]
If you eliminate those limiting boundaries through the words you speak, you will be amazed at how quickly your mindset follows. Sometimes hearing ourselves talk out loud is the worst negative reinforcement there is.
So, change your mind, your speech, your surroundings, and your thoughts. With that, you just might find out how to be more positive and change your life.
25. Acknowledge your situation for what it is
Whether your negative situation is long-term or not, take time to be realistic. Sometimes something short-term can feel worse than it is. But when you realize it isn’t forever, it can help you think more positively. [Read: How to get your shit together – 16 strategies to stop getting stuck]
26. Have a good support system
No matter what your situation is, talking about it and getting out your frustrations is helpful.
Having a good support system of friends, family members, or even coworkers is a great way to remind you that you aren’t alone.
27. Get enough rest
This can be hard to do when you are stressed and feeling negative. But ensuring your body is getting the rest it needs is so important. [Read: How to reduce stress – 17 fastest hacks to a calmer and happier life]
If you’re struggling with something and feel like you can’t defeat negative thoughts, a lack of sleep can make that worse.
Try to list what you’re grateful for before going to sleep so those are your final thoughts at night.
28. Make a plan
Make a plan to get out of that situation. Having a goal and reaching that can be motivating. It is also encouraging to know that your negative situation has a positive end result. [Read: I don’t know what to do with my life – The voice to find your way]
If you save up for 6 months, can you leave your job to follow your dream? If you hate your apartment and landlord, what can you do to get out of your lease?
Control what you have control over.
29. Adjust to changes
Be realistic with your plans. Plans are great but don’t always go how we expected. Learn to handle those changes. [Read: Giving up on life – 25 ways to find strength and change your attitude]
Maybe you were hoping to leave your job in 3 months but now your hours were cut. Can you make it work in 4 months, or can you do something on the side to make your original plan viable?
30. Accept what is out of your control
This is one of the best ways to know how to think positively when you’re in a negative situation. Sometimes, things are out of our control.
We may not like a coworker or get annoyed with how our roommate does something, but you cannot change other people. Sometimes, you have to face negative things and accept them for what they are. It is up to you to let some negative things affect your life the way they are.
Accepting that something is out of your control and working on your response, and things that you can control will keep you positive.
31. Have a positive affirmation to start the day
If you’ve never used a positive affirmation before, you’re seriously missing out. This is a statement of intent, something you repeat over and over again until you believe it to be true. [Read: Why do I push people away? 37 signs, reasons, and ways to stop pushing]
You can choose your own positive affirmation or you can search for one online. Something like “I choose to be happy;” “I am a positive, happy person;” “Today I will smile for all to see;” etc.
It can be whatever you want it to be, but it should resonate with you and you should believe it.
Write it down and look at it regularly. You might like to stick it onto your bathroom mirror or your computer monitor too.
Repeat it three times when you wake up, three times at lunch, and three times before bed. If you’re having a shaky moment, repeat it once more. Eventually, you’ll believe it to be true.
32. Get your body moving!
Did you know that exercising can give you a huge dose of positive emotions over negative ones? It’s true! [Read: The benefits of exercise on your mind, body, and libido]
You don’t have to join the gym and slog it out on the treadmill to get the beneficial effects. Simply move your body a little more.
How about a Zumba class with friends? Dancing away in your living room to your favorite tunes? Or you could swim, join a sports team, or do anything you like!
When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good endorphins which help you to feel more upbeat and happy. [Read: 32 secrets to be present and live in the moment when life is speeding past you]
Can you be too positive?
While most people think that you can’t be too positive, it’s possible. Some people call it “toxic positivity,” which is an oxymoron. But it can be true in some circumstances.
Toxic positivity is when someone avoids all negative thoughts or feelings. Instead, they pretend everything is fine and going well, even when it’s not. It’s like an unrelenting self-imposed pressure to be happy and positive regardless of negative circumstances.
It is basically the equivalent of sticking your head in the sand and not seeing reality the way it is. [Read: Emotional baggage – what it is, types, causes, 27 signs, and steps to put it down]
This kind of extreme positivity can be harmful because it causes people to suppress their negative emotions, which can make them even worse. This can lead to long-lasting health concerns in the future.
So, not coping with negative feelings in a healthy way can lead the feelings to resurface later in different areas of your life or as a form of anxiety.
Being too positive with others can also affect relationships. [Read: 24 signs of people who lack empathy to know they don’t care what you think]
If someone is always telling others that their problems aren’t too bad and to just “look on the bright side,” others might stop sharing their feelings. They might think they are not empathetic to their plight.
How to maintain your positive thinking
It is one thing to practice positive thinking, but actually incorporating those practices into your everyday life is much harder.
Even once it becomes a norm for you to let negative things slide and move forward more positively, some days are just too much. And that’s okay. [Read: Feeling worthless? 28 causes, signs, and daily habits to change your mind and life]
It is impossible to just always be positive. There will be bad days, but they are temporary. Maintaining a positive outlook isn’t about forcing a smile or always having something good to say about everything.
Being positive is about not letting the negative stuff take over. Feel the bad feelings. Let them in. It is okay to feel hurt and down. It is just important that those are not your only feelings and that those aren’t the thoughts that control you.
Take time to be grateful for the good parts of any negative experience. Did you learn something? Were you able to rest?
Did you reconnect with an old friend? Or did you watch a good movie? Did you try a new restaurant or recipe? Focus on the good and use that energy to move forward. [Read: How to focus on yourself – 27 ways to create your own sunshine]
Final thoughts
So, by now, you know that you need to know how to stop thinking negatively and learn to reprogram your mind to think more positively.
Learning how to be more positive and stop thinking negatively is not something you can just decide to do on a whim. It takes practice and patience to change the way you think about things.
You need to be able to train yourself to go from your norm of negative thoughts to putting a positive spin on them. [Read: How to respect yourself – 37 secrets of self-respect, self-belief, and self-love]
Whether the state of your country, the world, or your personal life, feels on the fritz, it is easy to fall into a rut of negative thinking. A breakup or a bad day at work or even bad weather can make your whole day or even whole week feel awful.
It is okay to feel bad about bad things, but that doesn’t mean you have to think negatively. You can think positively and still feel your feelings.
[Read: 15 little changes to be someone who always says, I love my life!]
Learning how to be more positive when everything seems negative is a life skill you’ll be grateful you learned when you did. Start small, and with a few of these tips, you’ll start to feel better about your life with each passing day.