The power of positive people
Summer in The Netherlands has come to an end., which I don't mind. I just love autumn. You have more clothes to wear (yas, layering!!!), nature will offer you more surprises and being at home suddenly feels nice again (no summer equals no FOMO). However, before you rush off to see if pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu or if the pepernoten are back in stock (spoiler: since August), I wanted to discuss the power of positive people.
Let Mr Brightside shine
Funnily enough, just now, I already showcased a bit of my positive outlook by making the change of the season something to look forward to. It always baffles me when I talk to more gloomy-minded people: inflexible, who see hurdles along the road and always expect the worst to happen. There are a lot of people who are like that, and there are a lot of both sides in all of us. But how do we let Mr Brightside shine and leave Negative Nancy out of the equation? Sidenote to the Woke-Police: I've been thinking about more gender-neutral characters to express this, but I couldn't think of any.
Don't just have a great day, make it a great day
The most profound thing that positive people have in common is that they don't let things beyond their control influence how they feel. They don't have a great day, they make it a great day. They allow themselves to be open to new experiences, chance meetings and opportunities. People with a bright outlook do not dwell in the past for too long but do their best to be in the now. If you allow yourself to be open to new things without having too many presumptions or feeling hindered by experiences from the past, you have access to a whole new world. Optimistic people are good at not letting other people alter how they see things. Positive people easily avoid toxic people or environments without blaming others or becoming victims. They are empowered individuals who trust their instincts and are their own agents.
Don't confuse happy with positive
As I just mentioned, positive people don't let their moods easily be influenced by others. But that doesn't mean they cannot be sad, moody, disappointed or unhappy at times. They are aware of what's happening in the world or their direct surroundings. Positive people are usually very empathic and open, anything but superficial. However, they also know there's light at the end of even the darkest tunnel. What helps them deal with things is that they are excellent communicators. This makes it easier for them to handle their emotions without bottling them up.
Practice makes perfect
So how does one become a positive person? Well, start by smiling a lot. It opens up your face, allowing you to look sunnier and thus feel sunnier. Try not to get affected by things or people beyond your control. Do your best to be more open. If it fails on some days, don't worry. Let things slide, forgive more, smile more. Stick to it; you'll get better at it. Before you know it, it's all sunshine and daisies in your life.