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4 Ways to Overcome Negativity

"There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them."
 ~Anthony de Mello

We all seek happiness and know how a positive attitude leads to a healthier and better life. Yet, we fall into the shackles of negative emotions.

If you thought positive people never get mood swings or feel bouts of negativity, think again. Negative feelings and bad mood can crop up any day if not kept under check.

The reasons for a negative state of mind can be many: Perhaps you had a fight with a loved one; you had more than you could possibly take on you platter; or you kept dwelling on a bad incident with someone at work.

Whatever the cause, it is best to quickly realize and catch ourselves when we are in a negative state of mind.

I have noticed that I feel negative emotions the most when I am stressed or overwhelmed. Going on and on about an unfinished task or fretting too much about an event can take me in the dark tunnel of negativity.

Therefore, I devised the following four ways to deal with such emotions and develop a constant habit of positive outlook:

1. Decide to banish the negative state: It’s true. Unless you decide that you want to take control of your life, you cannot. We ignore this step and take it for granted but for our subconscious mind, just assuming is not enough. A lot of bad emotions hang out in the subconscious alley and in order to shun them we have to specifically decide and tell them they are no longer invited.
2. Accept your low mood: It’s best to follow KISS rule. KISS means Keep It Simple, Silly. Keep it simple and real. Accept that you are feeling these emotions. Embrace them as a part of you which you have now decided to give up. Unless you accept they exist, how would you banish them at all? There is no point in pretense—don’t bother what others will think. Be honest with yourself first.
3. Figure out the cause: What is the real cause behind your feeling low? Why are you having a rough day? What is that one thing which is keeping you from staying positive and happy? Find out and face it. Note several possible causes down in your journal, if you may. Do some soul-searching and figure the culprit out. Once there, solve the problem by focusing on the solution—not the problem itself.
4. Affirm: Take the negative thought repeating in your mind and turn it around in a positive statement. Start repeating the positive supportive statement. For example, “I acknowledge that I may not be feeling good right now, but I will soon feel better. No matter what happens, I will not punish myself for it. I love myself. I choose to feel better now.” 

Photo by Frédéric DUPONT.