How to approach the new year in a positive mind - Cygnet (original) (raw)

Matthew Gill

In this blog, Matt Gill, Interim Regional Director of Psychology Services (North), talks about the basics of positivity and identifies some of the many benefits of approaching life from a positive point of view, as well as exploring some tips and techniques for cultivating a positive mindset for 2025.

Positive thinking is a way of looking at the world where you focus on the good and hopeful aspects of any situation. Positive thinking doesn’t mean you pretend everything’s perfect all the time. It’s normal and okay to have days when you feel down, especially when situations are tough. The key is how you respond to those challenges.

People who think positively can handle stress and challenges better, and tend to be happier and healthier. When you practice positive thinking, you believe that even when things are tough, there’s still hope and possibilities.

If you struggle with negative thoughts, finding a more optimistic outlook can often feel like a relentless battle. Positive thinking is about approaching life in a more productive and hopeful manner. By adopting the right strategies, (such as utilising techniques like positive affirmations), you can find practical ways to overcome negativity and become practiced in reframing negative self-talk to help you foster a more positive mindset.

Some of the advantages of positive thinking can include:

While positive thinking has many benefits, there are times when it can turn harmful, like when positivity is forced or used to ignore or dismiss real emotions and problems.

When someone insists on maintaining a positive mindset, even in difficult or challenging situations, it can lead to toxic positivity. When we constantly push ourselves or others to see only the bright side, we might be ignoring or dismissing real feelings of sadness, anger, or disappointment.

All emotions have value and are natural. Feeling sad, frustrated, or angry is okay, because these emotions tell us about our experiences or needs so we can learn from them and take relevant action or get appropriate support.

When you or someone else is going through a tough time, listen to and validate their feelings rather than simply expecting them to stay positive and dismiss them. Dismissing their feelings may make the person more reluctant to talk about their difficulties and acknowledge these in the future.

How to reframe negative self-talk

Negative self-talk can be a major barrier to positive thinking. It’s the critical inner voice that can bring down your morale and make you feel bad about yourself.

You can learn lots of ways to change this type of thinking and have more positive, realistic thoughts. Practicing these types of changes can start to shift your thinking, and although it takes time and practice to master, learning these types of skill can really help your wellbeing.

For example:

“I don’t know how to do this.” ➝ Can be reframed to ➝ “I have the opportunity to learn something new.”

A shift in this type of thinking can turn a lack of knowledge into an opportunity and chance for growth. Remind yourself that every expert was once a beginner.

Or

“I can’t do this.” ➝ Can be reframed to ➝ “I can do anything I focus on and commit to.”

This type of reframe can help you to feel more determined and capable. Try to view difficult tasks as challenges you’re capable of overcoming with effort and persistence.

Try some positive affirmations in your day

Positive affirmations are simple, yet powerful, that can help change your mindset towards a more positive and empowering perspective.

Writing them down, or even thinking them quietly to yourself can help. The more you repeat them, the more they can help reshape your thoughts toward a positive mindset. Types of positive affirmations that people may use could include the following;

  1. “I have everything I need to make today a great day.” This affirmation encourages you to recognise that you have the ability to make your day good, regardless of outside circumstances. Try saying this to yourself each morning as you start your day.
  2. “I am living to my full potential.” This type of affirmation can be a good reminder that you have the capability to achieve important and significant contributions. Repeat this affirmation when you feel doubt creeping in, to remind yourself of your potential.
  3. “I choose to focus on what I can control and let go of what I can’t.” Help yourself to reduce anxiety and stress by gently prompting yourself to concentrate on the present and what you can influence.
  4. “Every day, in every way, I developing and learning.” It is important to remind yourself of your growth and resilience, this affirmation suggests that every experience, whether a positive or negative one, contributes to your personal development. Use it during challenging times or when you are working on personal goals.

Some tips to stop negative thoughts and cultivate a more positive mindset

Changing your mindset to become more positive can seem daunting and challenging, but it’s achievable with small, consistent changes. Each of these steps is a building block in creating a more positive mindset, so start with one that feels right and gradually try adding others.

  1. Embrace positive influences Surround yourself with positive people and content. This could mean spending time with friends who uplift you or consuming media that makes you feel good. This could also mean establishing boundaries with people and media, too.
  2. Feel all of your feelings Acknowledge every emotion you experience, including the uncomfortable ones. Notice how you feel throughout the day and name your emotions whether they feel positive or negative, without judging yourself.
  3. Incorporate healthy habits Engage in activities that boost your physical and mental wellbeing. Start with one small change, like a daily 10-minute walk or going to bed 15 minutes earlier each week to create the habit of getting enough sleep. Listen to your favourite music, music has a fairly unique ability to put you in a positive state of mind, so take advantage of that.
  4. Repeat positive affirmations daily Develop your own affirmations to foster self-belief and positivity. Start your day by saying something positive about yourself or your capabilities. Extend the positive affirmations to others too!
  5. Check in with yourself Take time to check in with yourself, recognise how you are feeling and what you need. Taking this time is important to develop a positive mindset and recognise those difficult feelings when they arise.
  6. Look forward to things This can be difficult after the festive period but allow yourself to feel excited about future events or activities in 2025 and beyond. Anticipation can be a source of happiness, so plan something small to look forward to each week.
  7. Practice mindfulness Stay present and fully engaged with the current moment by paying close attention to your daily activities.
  8. Keep a gratitude journal Write down things you are thankful for to help shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.
  9. Stay in the present Avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, it’s tough, but try to focus on what you can control right now.
  10. Recognise and focus on your strengths Focusing on your strengths rather than your weaknesses can help build self-confidence. Think about a recent success, and acknowledge your role in it.

It is important to remember that developing a positive mindset is not about being constantly happy or cheerful. It is about acknowledging that you will not always be happy and learning to accept difficult emotions when they are experienced.

Above all, it is about increasing your control over your own attitude in the face of whatever comes your way.

  1. Start the day with positive affirmations that work for you.
  2. Focus on the good things, however small they are.
  3. Turn failures into lessons, and use them as an opportunity for growth.
  4. Transform negative self-talk into positive self-talk.
  5. Focus on the present instead of getting tangled up in the past or losing your way in the future.
  6. Find positive friends, mentors, and co-workers to support and encourage you.

Best wishes

Matt

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