Positive thinking, according to research, can lead to a prosperous and happy existence.
People who experience good feelings like joy, contentment, and love see more possibilities in their lives, according to Barbara Fredrickson, a psychology researcher at the University of North Carolina.
That sounds wonderful, but you’re probably wondering…
How can I begin to think more positively and, as a result, live a happier life?
You must let go of negative thoughts and sentiments that are holding you back before you can begin to think positively. Here are ten things you should let go of right now in order to change your mindset from negative to positive and start living the happy life you deserve.
1. Forget About Your Emotions.
grudge
You don’t have to accept every awful thing that has happened to you (or even any of it), but you must learn to forgive and go on. That does not imply that the other person was correct or that what they did was acceptable.
It simply means letting go of the negative energy you carry around with you so you may go forward and create a joyful life for yourself.
The Mayo Clinic claims that letting go of grudges and anger might lead to a happier and healthier life. Forgiveness can lead to the following outcomes:
- Improved interpersonal interactions
- Spiritual and psychological well-being is improved.
- Anxiety, stress, and aggression are reduced.
- Reduce your blood pressure.
- Depressive symptoms are reduced.
- Immune system that is stronger
- Heart health has improved.
- Improved self-esteem
2. See Beyond Any Ideals That No Longer Serve You.
change
Ideals, ambitions, and goals change, as do beliefs. You don’t have to believe what you believed ten years ago if you don’t have any reason to believe it now. You don’t have to have the same objectives as you did when you were ten or twenty years old.
You have the option to change your mind.
When you let go of your responsibilities to your former self, you may find new methods to reward the person you used to be. Even when you change, you are still a direct descendant of who you were before. That change is lovely, and it acknowledges both the “then” and the “now.”
3. Get Rid Of The Notion That You Do Not Even Belong.
To fit in
It’s not about changing who you are to suit a mould when it comes to fitting in. It’s frequently about discovering that there’s a place for you just as you are and that the people around you are more diverse than they look on the surface. While this isn’t always the case, it happens more frequently than you might believe.
If you’re continuously worried about not being “normal” or “good enough,” you were most likely raised with those fears. It doesn’t mean they’re correct.
The argument is that in order to have a happy life, you shouldn’t have to modify yourself to fit in. In truth, it is feasible to locate people in your community who share your interests, no matter how unusual they may appear.
Whether you enjoy writing, being a mother, rock climbing, or science, there is bound to be someone around who shares your enthusiasm; all you have to do is put yourself out there and look for them!
4. Just Let Go Of Belief That You Are Unworthy Of Pleasure.
happiness
If you were invalidated as a child, you were probably raised on a diet of guilt and self-hatred. However, you don’t have to feel bad about being yourself. Remember that regardless of who you are or were, you were raised with the same invalidation.
You’ve got nothing to do with it.
Others cannot decide for us whether or not we are deserving of a good existence. You are the only one who can choose to love and respect oneself. You deserve love, whatever and whatever you are, if you are living the truth in your heart. It’s time to let others go if they don’t agree. Take notes from the finest.
5. Get Rid of Poisonous People From Your Life.
People
Poisonous persons are those who are overtly malicious. Others are more subtle and, out of envy or insecurity, cheer for our failure without even realising it. Finally, you are not accountable for the emotions of others. You must treat others with respect, kindness, and decency.
If you do that and someone still wants you to fail but still wants to be in your life, you have every right to let them go.
We already have enough poisonous beliefs dictating our thoughts and feelings. Allowing negative people to continue to contribute to your inner monologue is not a good idea.
Surround yourself with good people who genuinely care about your happiness.
6. Allow Yourself To Be Free Of Comparisons.
Grass
You will constantly be dissatisfied if you gaze enviously at what you believe other people have. Worse, the form of reality you’re conjuring up in your imagination might not even be true.
The old adage goes, “the grass isn’t always greener.” Your neighbour may have a nicer house and car, but you never know if it came at the expense of a happy marriage. Your coworker may be moving up the corporate ladder more quickly than you, but she could also be suffering from cancer.
That artist in your online group can appear to be selling a million items, but he could be lying.
Be appreciative for what you do have, and keep in mind that there are a variety of reasons why you might not be seeing the big picture. There are some advantages you have that others do not. Furthermore, other people aren’t you. Whatever they have—or don’t have—has no bearing on what you have or don’t have.
Judith Orloff, M.D. explores comparing ourselves to others in her book Emotional Freedom, and how it might stem from poor self-esteem and a lack of faith in the integrity of our own unique path. This book will help you realise that your life is specifically created for your own development, allowing you to let go of your comparisons and live a happy life.
7. Get Out Of The Urge To Be Liked, Accepted, And Understood By Others.
Friends
That isn’t to say you shouldn’t expect respect and gratitude from those close to you. If you can’t have friends, partners, or other “selected connections,” they don’t deserve to be in your life. However, people do not need to fully comprehend you in order to respect and accept you. They also don’t have to like everything about you in order to love you. It doesn’t matter what others think of you; what matters is that they believe in you.
Relatives, parents, siblings, neighbours, coworkers, bosses, society as a whole, and so on do not need to like, accept, or understand you in order for you to like, accept, and understand yourself. Waiting for their respect or support to embrace your genuine nature can feel like a long train ride that never arrives.
Test Yourself: Social media has become an integral part of our lives in recent years. Ironically, it has the ability to suffocate us. Delete your social media accounts for a period of time if you honestly want to quit worrying about what others think about you and your personal life.
Falling off the face of the internet for a bit can be exactly what you need to establish a joyful life that you like.
8. Let It Go But One Must Be Completely At Ease All Of The Time.
Comfort
So much of our daily anxiety and dread stems from the erroneous belief that being uncomfortable is always negative. But, isn’t it true that being comfortable isn’t all that great when it keeps you from happiness? Getting out of your comfort zone is difficult at first, but the more you do it, the more you’ll realise that being uncomfortable does not always mean you’re in danger.
In Sascha Ballach’s book Get Out of Your ComfortZone, you’ll find the necessary information as well as a variety of practical tasks to help you develop your personality and realise and extend your potential beyond your comfort zone.
With this book, you’ll be able to let go of the notion that discomfort is a bad thing, and you’ll be able to fully free yourself to truly grow as a person. Until you do, you’ll never start that new business, marry your sweetheart, or publish that novel. Also, don’t be scared to make others uncomfortable.
Say exactly what you were born to say. Allow yourself to live the life you were born to live.
Letting go is never simple, and picking up the pieces or adjusting to a new perspective may be very hard. Once you let go of #10, you will find it so much easier to let go of everything else that is holding you back from a truly happy life!
9. Move Past Unattainable Goals.
Rainbow
If you intended to be a millionaire by the age of 30, but instead find yourself fighting to make ends meet on a few thousand dollars, let go of your unrealistic expectations and forgive yourself for not being superhuman. Nobody is self-made, and there is no such thing as a self-made individual. The truth is that we have been living through difficult economic times.
To be a wonderful person and have a happy life, you don’t have to be superhuman. And it is what you do with what you have, not what you were given, that determines who you are.
A happy life is a result of setting S.M.A.R.T.
goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely are the acronyms for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. In this case, the key is accessible. “Is this objective realistic and attainable?” you might wonder. If not, toss out those improbable objectives and go back to the drawing board.
10. Just Let Go Of Notion That Life Has To Be Fair In Order To Be Enjoyable.
fair
Isn’t it wonderful if life were just, and goodness, decency, and honesty were rewarded? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if being gifted and perceptive guaranteed success and happy life? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if unwavering dedication and perseverance were rewarded?
That is not the world we live in. Every day, amazing people fail. We’ve all known someone special who died far too soon or someone exceptional whose work is overlooked by everyone except them. We’ve all met harsh, immoral people who have achieved amazing success.
That isn’t to say that a universe is a bad place or that your life will be bad. Things go wrong for good people and good things go wrong for bad people, but not always. And all of your wraths will do nothing to make the universe more equitable.
However, by being kind, decent, and genuine to the people you love, you might be able to make your little part of the world a little bit fairer. Life is unjust, but you have the ability to be just. You have the ability to bring joy to someone else who deserves it.