4 Ways to Be Happier in Life When Everyone Around You is Negative
By: Renée Kapuku
Tags: Personal Growth, Positive Thinking, Advice, Self, Leadership

4 Ways to Be Happier in Life When Everyone Around You is Negative

Drowning in negativity? Here’s how to deal with it

Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash

Being positive is one thing. How do you deal with life when everyone around you is negative?

I’m sure you’ve been there before. You know, when everyone and everything in your life is screaming at you that what you desire just isn’t possible.

Maybe your family doesn’t approve of your decision to become creative because they think it’s not stable or lucrative enough. Or maybe your partner thinks it’s ridiculous for you to pursue the job of your dreams in another country. Or perhaps it could be your friends who aren’t sharing or supporting the launch of your new products ever since you took the plunge to become self-employed.

Wherever the negativity is in your life, it’s important to be able to acknowledge and handle it. Truth is? Not everyone likes you. Not everyone wants the best for you. Not everyone cares as much as you do.

Should that stop you? No. It should spur you on to keep doing, creating, and manifesting despite your situation. It hurts when your haters are in your circle, but it happens.

Here’s how to get over it.

1. Create Your Alternative Vision

As cringe as vision-planning can sound, it’s pretty crucial.

You need to know exactly what the image of your life would look like. This is important — it helps you to have something to focus on when people are being negative. Creating an alternate vision of your dreams and your goals keep you grounded in the things that truly matter to you. It makes it harder for you to accept what other people say about your life and what it should look like.

Every now and again, I am bombarded with the questions around my decision to pursue entrepreneurship. Why not take a role in investment banking, or law, or consulting? The money is great, and these are super respected professions after all. You know what my problem is? I find it boring.

In comparison to my alternate vision — a vision where I can write, solve pressing educational problems, and help others maximize their productivity — the latter feels like a cop-out to me. I’d rather give my vision a good try before conceding back to what is deemed as normal and appropriate.

2. Take a Step Back

Take a step back from your current circumstances or the people around you. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming when everything in your life is telling you what you cannot do. Consider going on frequent long walks, practicing meditation, or taking a short vacation where possible.

Essentially, you need to make sure you have time alone with your thoughts. You need time to embrace your isolation, confront the constant negative messaging around you, and practice mindfulness to get back into the swing of things.

3. Communicate With Your People

People don’t always know when they’re bad vibes.

Not everyone is aware of the energy they give off. It’s important to at least use the open lines of communication you have with your friends and family to let them know how they may be unconsciously spreading negativity. Try organizing a call, or a quick sit down with your loved ones. Explain how you feel, and explain the specific ways in which their words or attitudes have actively hindered your positive outlook and work.

Oftentimes, many of our issues can be resolve by an honest conversation. Stop letting the small things slide.

4. Mix-up Your Company

Sometimes, you need to mix up.

That doesn’t mean ditch your friends and family and start a new life somewhere in New Mexico. Unfortunately, this isn’t an episode of Breaking Bad.

What it does mean is this: don’t be afraid to initiate conversations with new people. Whether it be online or in person, why not follow up with people you think are cool but have remained aquinatances for whatever reason? There are plenty of people I’ve admired from afar who are within my network. Simply asking them out to brunch or coffee, or even just a quick online conversation, has usually been a super positive experience.

Plus, it means my reference points and inspirations for my own goals have increased dramatically. Don’t just reach out to people you want to pursue romantically — pursue new friendships, especially with people who come across uplifting and positive.