It’s so easy to be negative. Sometimes it can even be fun.
With the mounting stresses of senior year and upcoming graduation, I found myself spending an unhealthy amount of time complaining about my life to anyone who would listen. School, work, the future—nothing was the way I wanted it.
In a twisted way, I began to see complaining as my outlet. A long session spent bitching to my best friend or parents made me feel better, and for a short time, it felt as though a weight had been lifted off my chest.
Complaining made me feel good until it didn’t. It wasn’t long before my negativity all but consumed me. You know you’ve got problems when your first thought in the morning is “Fck this” or “Fck that.”
At that point, it was evident something needed to change. With the rest of my life ahead of me, I didn’t want to get out of bed on the wrong foot. So, I decided to change my attitude.
I make a conscious effort to begin each day with a positive thought. When my alarm goes off in the morning, rather than grabbing my phone to scroll through Twitter, I lie in bed with my eyes closed for a few more moments as I compose an affirmation (if you will).
Usually, but not always, that affirmation ties into what I’ve got going on that day. For example, if I’ve got a big test my affirmation might go something like “I am an intelligent person. I am prepared to handle whatever life throws my way.”
Sounds cheesy, I know. It took me awhile to buy into it myself, but I’m happy I stuck with it. Starting the day with a positive affirmation really helps to get things going in the right direction.
I won’t lie. Because life’s not all rainbows and butterflies, I’m still negative from time to time. I’m human for crying out loud; however, I’m finding balance and now my complaining is more of a recreational activity as opposed to a lifestyle.
It’s tough to be positive, but it’s even tougher to be a self-branded 22-year-old cynic. Ditch the negativity. Once you start to look for the good in the world, the good will find you.