How To Get Out of the Negativity Snowball
By: Cassandra Wheeler
Tags: Mindfulness, Mindset Shift, Positive Psychology, Tips And Tricks, Achievement

Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash

This year has been extremely difficult for all of us. Problems have only been exacerbated by coronavirus, quarantine, uncertainty, and unexpected changes that 2020 has dealt. So, it’s incredibly easy to understand how so many of us find ourselves in a negative mindset. Not to mention the holiday season approaching, bringing its own array of struggles and insecurities. With everything going on in the world, I find myself mentally exhausted from worry, anticipation, and fear. And just like that I’m down the rabbit hole of misery, falling deeper and deeper.

How do we get out of the hole?

I find that the more aware I am of my own thoughts, their origin, and their purpose, the more easily I can navigate the waters of my psyche. I understand that thoughts aren’t necessarily truth, oftentimes they are not. But it’s not always easy to remember in the moment, when your emotions are high and your body’s nervous system is on overdrive. So, the constant practice of observing, understanding and taking control of my thoughts helps me through those tougher moments.

“Practice makes perfect.”

A few things helped me in dealing with my all-around negativity this year and I want to share these in the hopes that it can help you, too.

1. Take responsibility

Hear me out. This may seem like a harsh reality for some but allow me to elaborate. Taking responsibility simply means that you understand you are in total control of your life and your outcomes. It doesn’t mean people haven’t hurt you or that your problems aren’t valid or that you don’t feel like absolute shit at times. Of course, those things are true but the difference is you don’t let it define you. When you take responsibility, you are no longer the victim in your own story. You become the hero. Because you get to decide how the rest of your life unfolds. Revel in that freedom.

2. Accept that negativity exists

It sure as hell isn’t easy to crack the code when it comes to maintaining a positive mindset. Negative thoughts never go away, no matter how much meditation and soul searching you accomplish. They will always make an appearance, so its important to understand that, first and foremost. It’s also important to understand that because negative thoughts are inevitable, we can choose just how much those thoughts truly affect us. Do we run with those thoughts and chase that drab rabbit, or do we shake it off and remind ourselves that we are enough? You can decide how much power they have over you.

3. Build an achievable routine

Something about a routine makes us feel accomplished. You cross off items on your to-do list and there’s this instant gratification. That feeling of achieving is at the very heart of routine. A routine allows us to achieve things daily, no matter how small or trivial you may think they are. Even just getting out of bed is a huge achievement when you feel like wallowing in self-pity and plotting revenge on your enemies. Find a routine, even a small one, to help you feel accomplished in your daily life.

4. Find a hobby for yourself

This is a tough one for me, personally. It’s hard for me to be present in my hobbies because I’m always thinking about marketing my project or pitching my idea for a buck. Instead, it’s important to find hobbies that we can enjoy alone, for the sake of ourselves. Not something to mass produce to make a couple hundred dollars. Not an idea to monetize or a project to trade. Just a fun activity that you purely enjoy and do for yourself. Forget about money, forget about a side hustle, forget about a big career change. Just find something that lights you up and go for it.

If you struggle with your mindset, as I’m sure most do, then just know you’re not alone. This year has brought up so much more than any normal circumstances ever could have so of course we’re all going to feel a little “off”. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay in that “off” place. We can choose to push forward. We can choose positive thoughts to overshadow negative ones. We can choose to finally take control of ourselves, our emotions, and our lives.

The time is now.