I’m anything but a positive person. My default setting is to assume every little thing is terrible and be shocked when it is not. (Just kidding.) But despite my inherently negative disposition, I’ve noticed that even the worst times often have a positive side. It’s often difficult to search out, however it’s often there, hidden within the weeds of misery and despair. This applies to each personal and financial problems. While I’ll never be Pollyanna Sunshine, it helps to keep in mind that bad times often have a vibrant side, even when I can not immediately see it.
What is the hidden positive side?
The positive side is usually small, especially in comparison to the larger drawback. That’s why it is so hard to search out. The bad is frequently so all-encompassing that the positive side is overshadowed. Even the positive side is usually not immediate. You only see it when the bad thing has been happening for some time. Because the bad leads to vary, which is usually useful, but doesn’t occur overnight. You need to wait until the nice side shows up.
Here are some examples of the hidden positive sides of my very own life:
- Lemonade has been very difficult to come back by throughout the pandemic. Since I used to be forced to cut back my consumption and avoid it, I used to be finally in a position to kick my caffeine addiction and cut out all of the sugar/artificial sweeteners. It has improved my health.
- Inflation has hit junk food and restaurants hard. As a result, I gave up a whole lot of it, lost some weight and improved my health.
- The lockdowns improved my wealth because there was nothing to spend money on.
- The pandemic forced us to rethink the best way we have fun things like travel and holidays. Some of those changes remained and proceed to save lots of us time and money today.
- Streaming services have increased their prices a lot that I canceled a lot of them. Instead, I read more and rediscovered my love of books, something I had forgotten in recent times.
- Years ago I lost my job and had time to take into consideration what I desired to do in life. Yes, the shortage of cash was stressful, however it was nice to have time to think and consider a next step as an alternative of just mindlessly going through the times.
- I broke my knee and couldn’t exit for a number of months. In order to entertain myself, I used to be forced to make use of up a whole lot of hobby supplies across the house.
How to search out the positive
The hidden positive side is usually just that: hidden. It doesn’t jump out and slap you within the face and scream, “Look, there’s a bright side to all your suffering!” Often you’ve gotten to search for it and that always means a whole lot of be just right for you. I’ve found a number of techniques that will help.
Write a diary
Writing down your thoughts and experiences can allow you to see the positive side. The strategy of writing and dealing things out on paper (quite than simply letting them run around in your head) can reveal belongings you would not otherwise see. Maybe you will find that little nugget that makes you say, “Ah, ha. Now I realize that being unemployed for months has made me discover some new strengths in myself.” You might find that you just’re more adaptable than you thought .
meditation
It’s price turning off your brain for some time and letting it loosen up. Or just letting your thoughts flow without judging or feeling like you’ve gotten to search out an answer in that moment. In that silence, you might discover a connection to the positive side that you would be able to’t see when your brain is in turmoil, focusing only on the bad times.
Keep records
Keeping records is an awesome solution to see the intense side. You may feel like you are not making financial progress, but numbers don’t lie. If they’re moving in the fitting direction, that is great, regardless of how bad things could seem on the surface. If inflation causes you to chop popular junk foods or restaurant meals out of your budget, you possibly can keep track of your calories, weight, and other numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.). Maybe you may profit from it even when you’re missing your favorites.
discuss it
Sometimes unloading your problems on a friend or therapist can provide you with that “ah ha” moment. Or the opposite person points out something you have not considered. At least talking about things often makes you are feeling higher. Maybe you are complaining about not having the ability to travel without delay, and your friend points out that no less than you are being more environmentally friendly. It may not make you are feeling a lot better, however it is something.
Focus on others
Wallowing in your individual bad times is a sure solution to grow to be much more unhappy. It may be helpful to give attention to others for some time. Get on the market and volunteer for a worthwhile cause. Help a neighbor with a project or prepare meals for elderly neighbors. Remember that regardless of how bad you’re, there are others in far worse situations. Focusing on others can allow you to gain perspective and remind yourself that there are literally some good things in your life.
Read more:
- Defeat pessimism
- Think positively, speak positively
