Time for Sunshine - Adding More Positivity to Your Day

Positivity is like sunshine on a cloudy day. The great thing is that you can essentially control how sunny your life feels. Here are some tips to help you out.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman

The Importance of Positivity

Positivity is essential as it deepens one’s enjoyment of the day and enhances one’s overall happiness. It’s a skill that can make one’s life more enjoyable, strengthen relationships, and help one achieve one’s goals more swiftly.

However, positivity often doesn’t come automatically. We’re used to negative thoughts and tend to underestimate the importance of positivity. These tips can help you cultivate positivity in your day, making your life more enjoyable.

Positivity Isn’t Fake

At least, it doesn’t have to be any more fake than cynicism or – as we like to call it – ‘realism.’

We have the choice of how we interact with the world around us at any moment. If you’re not naturally positive, you might often lean toward being critical and negative.

I sometimes find myself in such phases, too. For instance, when I’m tired, stressed, or when things aren’t going well, it becomes harder to practice positivity, and I start to see flaws everywhere and complain about everything.

This is an important insight. We often take our thoughts very seriously. And when we experience negative thoughts, we perceive our entire life through a negative lens. Because we are used to negative thoughts (often surrounded by them), these thoughts are more accurate than positive ones.

However, when you examine those thoughts more closely, you’ll see that all thoughts are equally untrue, and you might as well pay more attention to positive ones.

• “This is going to be a terrible day.”
• “This is going to be a wonderful day!”

Both thoughts are equally subjective because you don’t yet know how the day will unfold. Anything could happen. But the second thought feels a lot better.

Positivity Attracts More Positivity

When you radiate positivity, it influences the people around you. Others generally respond positively to your vibe. You receive smiles, and others match their words to your positivity.

This also happens in your mind. Your brain clusters similar thoughts together. More similar thoughts come your way when you speak and think positively, creating an upward spiral of positivity.

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo

Start Spreading More Positivity

A significant change starts with a small step. Want to experience more positivity, joy, and love? Begin by sharing positivity in your surroundings.

Say something kind to your partner, buy a gift for a friend, send a sweet message or compliment, do something nice for someone, and smile at your colleagues.

You don’t have to wait for something positive to happen in your day finally. You can create it yourself now. And as mentioned, positivity attracts positivity. Before you know it, you’ll receive a smile, a compliment, or a helping hand in return.

Many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have.

— Jolanda de Koff (@Jolandadekoff) May 18, 2024

Nothing is Good or Bad

If you want to live positively, it’s essential to realize that good and bad are merely agreements between yourself and those around you.

Nothing is inherently good or bad; things simply are. You can cite countless examples of things you believe are absolutely bad, and then just as many reasons why these instances of bad could also be considered good.

What we judge as good or bad changes over time and varies across continents. It differs by country, city, family, and even individual. There was a time when burning people at the stake was an acceptable form of judgment. There are places where men marry multiple wives, young children are betrothed, and wars are fought.

Some people view war as ‘good.’ There are those who see no problem with stealing or causing harm to others.

In our culture, it’s acceptable to live in abundance while a few hundred kilometers away, people are dying of malnutrition. We shower in clean water while children die of thirst.

So, ask yourself. Do you consider yourself bad? Or good? Who decides that, and on what basis? Good and bad are illusions. They are prejudices of the human mind. Dare to let go of this judgment and see things for what they truly are.

Practice Gratitude

The more you focus on the small, pleasant things in your day, the happier and more positive you’ll feel.

What went well today?

Practice gratitude, for example, by writing down what you feel grateful for each evening or discussing it at the dinner table with your partner or family.

Gratitude leads to more happiness, contentment, and a greater awareness of the good things in your life. This not only makes you happier but also helps you become more positive.

Cut Out Unnecessary Misery from Your Day

The more we check the news, the more negative we become. The same goes for other forms of negative media. Think of social media, reality shows, movies, soaps, books, series, and video games with lots of violence, drama, or misery.

Your brain feeds on the stimuli in your environment. If you – like me – are rather sensitive, these stimuli can influence your day.

For instance, I can sleep restlessly after watching an intense movie because my brain keeps ‘chewing’ on the storyline. That’s fine if it was a fun movie. But if it is dramatic or miserable, it’s less pleasant.

Then I lie awake worrying about things that aren’t even real in my life or the world!

For some people, it makes no difference. But perhaps it can also help you not to fill your head unnecessarily with unnecessary drama and misery.

Accept the Flow of Your Day

Live with fewer expectations and more wonder. Things don’t always go as you want. You can feel frustrated about that – or you can see its humor.

You only experience frustration because you hold those expectations. You have the freedom to let go of those expectations. Instead of misery, you see how your life unfolds surprisingly and entertainingly.

Accept your day, even if it doesn’t go as planned. It may sound difficult, but it’s surprisingly simple.

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama

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