Feed Your Mind
Feed Your Mind Positive Thoughts
Your mindset is like a garden, whatever you plant and nurture will grow. If you constantly feed your mind with negativity, that's what will flourish. But if you intentionally choose to focus on positivity, your life will begin to reflect that shift.
Our brains are naturally wired to focus on the negative, it’s a survival mechanism from our ancestors, who had to be hyper-aware of dangers to stay alive. But today, we’re not constantly fighting for survival. While stress, challenges, and hardships still exist, most of our struggles are not life-or-death situations. Yet, many of us still live in a mindset of fear, worry, and scarcity simply because that’s what we’ve trained our minds to focus on. The good news? You have the power to change that.
Protecting Your Mind From Negativity
Thinking positively takes effort, but the rewards are worth it. A negative mindset drains your energy, fuels anxiety, and limits your potential. Unfortunately, we are constantly bombarded with negativity, especially through the news and social media. That’s why I personally choose not to watch the news and scroll past negative posts as quickly as possible. I’m not perfect, but I am mindful of what I consume because I know it affects my mental state.
If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thinking, take a step back and evaluate what you’re exposing yourself to daily. Who do you spend time with? What kind of content are you consuming? Sometimes, we can’t control who we’re around, like coworkers who constantly complain or focus on the negative. If possible, physically remove yourself from those situations. If that’s not an option, mentally distance yourself. Don’t engage in the negativity. Instead, let those words bounce off you. Protect your energy like it’s your most valuable resource, because it is.
The Energy You Surround Yourself With Matters
Since we spend so much time at work, the people we interact with there can significantly impact our mindset. But the same goes for our friendships and relationships outside of work. If you’re surrounded by negative people, it’s going to be difficult to maintain a positive outlook. Energy is contagious, and we absorb more from our environment than we realize. I keep my circle filled with positive, uplifting people, so when I encounter negativity, I can immediately feel the shift. If negativity feels “normal” to you, that might be a sign that you’ve become desensitized to it. Pay attention to how you feel daily, your emotions and experiences will reveal a lot.
If your family is a source of negativity, set boundaries. Limit your time with them if needed, and when you are around them, protect your energy by avoiding engaging in negative conversations. But what if the negativity is coming from your partner? That’s a more challenging situation, as you can’t simply distance yourself the way you might with acquaintances. If leaving the relationship isn’t an option you want to consider, try shifting your focus. Instead of dwelling on their negative traits, actively look for their positive qualities. What are the things they do well? What moments have they made you feel loved or supported? When you shift your focus, you shift your energy. Often, when we approach relationships with a more positive mindset, we inspire the people around us to do the same. However, if you’ve made every effort and your partner remains overwhelmingly negative, there may be deeper issues at play that require professional guidance.
Curating a Positive Environment
Beyond relationships, consider what you’re consuming online. If your social media feeds are filled with negativity, that’s directly impacting your mindset. I’m not saying you have to spend less time on social media (though that could help), but rather, be intentional about what you engage with. Follow pages that make you laugh, inspire you, or teach you something valuable. Your subconscious mind absorbs everything you expose it to, make sure what you’re feeding it is serving you.
And the news? If it’s causing stress and fear, cut it out or drastically limit it. News outlets thrive on negativity because that’s what gets attention. But remember, you get to decide what kind of energy you allow into your life.
You Have the Power to Choose
Every aspect of your life, from the people you surround yourself with to the content you consume, either lifts you up or drags you down. The best part? You are in control. Choose to feed your mind positivity, even when it feels unnatural at first. Over time, this practice will become second nature, and you’ll notice a shift not just in your thoughts, but in your entire reality. A better, more fulfilling life starts with what you allow into your mind. Choose wisely.