How Do You Stay Positive?

[Taylirious]

I am trying to and want to. I just want to hear how others stay positive in difficult times.

I am currently just trying to enjoy things that bring me joy and ignore the stuff that upsets me. Sometimes it works and others it does not. I want to be happy and move forward with my life.

I am hoping every day for you is wonderful!

 

[BillJ]

I don't ignore the stuff that upsets me. I simply get it out of the way the best I can and move on. Having negative things hanging over my head will prevent me from looking at other things positively.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I have to ignore the stuff that upsets me because there is absolutely no fixing it. I'll write more about how to manage positivity when I'm not on my phone.

 

[CorporalClegg]

I make sure I always carry more protons than electrons.

And smile a lot. It really helps.

 

[Miss Chicken]

First of I think you have to determine if there are any medical reason for feeling depressed. If they are those reasons have to be dealt with professionally.

For me personally if i am feeling down I make a list of the positive things in my life, or the things I like to do and then I try to incorporate those things into my life more.

Also sometimes I choose a negative thing in my life and try to turn it into something more positive. An example of this -

After the Port Arthur Massacre, in which 35 people were shot dead at Tasmania's premier tourist attraction, i became very depressed. I kept thinking that if such a terrible thing could occur in my peaceful little region of the world than the world was a very bad place indeed. Then one day I decided to go over to the library and look up newspaper accounts and make a list of the acts of heroism that occurred during the massacre. The nurse who decided to leave a place of safety and run over open ground to the cafe where she knew many wounded people were even though she had no idea where the gunman was, the ambulance men who drove through hail of bullets as they past the guesthouse where the gunman was, the husband and wife doctor team who rushed to the site, the man who was shot in the buttocks as he threw himself over an elderly lady to protect her, the man who knew he was dying who beg that the doctors look after others, the father who threw a tray at the gunman so the gunman's attention was diverted away from this man's wife and baby son.

After that every time I got depressed over Port Arthur I looked over this list.

 

[Spot's Meow]

One way is to listen to music. Sometimes when I am feeling negative, listening to depressing music can make me feel better because I can commiserate with the artist. However other times I listen to positive music to try to lift my spirits. Songs with lyrics that relate to my specific situation help.

However there are some days that as much as I might try, I can't bring myself to feel positive. There has been less of those days now that I am in love, thankfully.

 

[C.E. Evans]

For me, it starts with not trying to be positive and happy all the time. It's okay to get mad or feel sad about unpleasant things, because life will constantly throw them at you. IMO, you gotta let a lot of stuff (particularly the little stuff) just pass in this life because they'll eventually pile up and crush you if you don't.

And no matter how bad you think things in your life are, there's is an absolute guarantee that there are a lot of people having it much, much worse. Some are trying to just stay alive for one more day...

 

[iguana_tonante]

Positivity is overrated. Positivism is where all the cool kids are at.

 

[Australis]

When I'm down...

I listen to rock music, which erxpresses the anger I feel or gives me stength, which disspates the negative feelings.

I also listen to other music that inspires and lifts me. Can't access YT right now, but search for Eurovision 2000 interval act (and it rocks pretty hard for two kids on violin and squeezebox). That amazed me, the culture of Europe in one neat 5 minute package. The world is an amazing place, even if my life isn't, and that thought really oes keep me going, draw me out of my woes.

I plan, but don't include a date: "when I do this, I will be able to do that, and then shit's gonna get real". There are too many variable to include a date for most of my plans, but knowing there will be a day in the future.

I watch something completely different to my life/world. One reason I like SF, I can escape, even if it's only for a while. Can't stand some shows which look as theough they've been shot as a documentary in my neighbourhood (Hello, Kath and Kim).

I avoid certain people who bring me down for as long as possible.Hell with 'em.

 

[Taylirious]

Positivity is overrated. Positivism is where all the cool kids are at.

Willie: Well Mr. Smarty...

ALF: It's Mr. Science.

I had to look it up.

pos·i·tiv·ism 1.
a philosophical system that holds that every rationally justifiable assertion can be scientifically verified or is capable of logical or mathematical proof, and that therefore rejects metaphysics and theism.

I am stupid. I am sorry. I know that isn't an excuse but it is all I got.

 

[Pondwater]

I keep in mind that there are those that have it worse.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I watch baseball, and lots of it.

Also I remember that I eventually made it home, after being stranded in Chicago for 11 hours (I was flying home from Cincinnati, but my connecting flight to Omaha got cancelled) and that there was a helpful United Airlines ticket agent who helped me get home. So in a world where people like that exist, I can't help but be happy.

 

[Melakon]

I watch too much Star Trek, though really, one can never watch too much Star Trek.

And I know that no matter how bad things seem to get, at least I'm not dead.

 

[Taylirious]

I do know it is hard to stay positive in a completely negative situation.

 

[wulfio]

If it's internal, then I'd have to take a look at things in my life that need to change in order to get me out of that rut by working towards things that are important to me. Am I not pursuing my dreams? am I not working towards my goals? Am I ignoring important facets of myself?

If it's little things(cut off in traffic, rude strangers, flight cancellation, etc.), I used to ask myself if I would care about or even remember this 20 years from now. And when the answer is inevitably no, I get over it rather quickly. Now it's just habit.

If it's environment, I need to look at resolving it. If there is no resolution, then a big change is required. I'm not inclined to keep banging my head against a wall if it won't come down. I opt to move to a more positive environment conducive to my happiness. Life is short.

 

[Saga]

lots of alcohol.

really thought i try to distract myself with books or tv or something. usually books. i'm the kind of person that over-thinks everything. i let little things bother me, nevermind the big things like money and such. this year has been pretty rough for me and i'm trying to stay positive.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

lots of alcohol.

I like the way you think.

 

[BigJake]

I just want to hear how others stay positive in difficult times.

Used needles.

...

Seriously though: not comparing my life with others' who haven't had the same experiences; being selective about exposing myself to others' (often heavily-massaged) self-images on social media (and taking same with grain of salt); making sure that I get out and interact non-digitally; being careful to manage my money (financial stress is one of the most fatal kinds of stress); dancing, either alone in my living room or otherwise.

 

[scotpens]

I accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, and don't mess with Mr. In-Between.

(Hey, somebody had to.)

 

[SPCTRE]

Love yourself. Cultivate a strong sense of self-worth. This can, depending on your disposition, take a lot of work and will continue to take a lot of work. This will in turn allow you, even require you to take care of yourself.

I know it's a struggle, but I think it's supposed to be. The great thing is it also allows you love the people in your life - and to be loved.