Journey to Brighter Days
Hey friends! 🌸 I wanted to share some ideas on how we can focus on different ways to cultivate joy by embracing positivity into our lives. We often find ourselves overwhelmed with anxiety and stress, feeling like there’s so much to do and so little time. It’s easy to let frustration take over. Because of this, I want to share some tips and ideas to help lighten our hearts, ease the burden, and enjoy our days more fully. I understand it’s easier said than done, but if we try every day to see the cup as half full rather than half empty, we can begin to create a routine of positive thinking. It’s all about making it a part of our daily habits, and with consistent practice, we can transform our mindset.
Today it will be all about focusing on the little habits we build that shift our mood and reduce stress. For instance, simply doing things we love—whether it’s going for a walk, painting, finding a new recipe to experiment on, or even cooking a favorite meal—truly lifts our spirits, and changes our outlook on life in so many positive and effective ways if we allow it to. Focusing on things that nurture our souls releases those feel-good chemicals in our brains. Furthermore, being mindful of how we think and react to things can completely shift our perspective in the long run. So let’s challenge ourselves to find the silver lining in every situation and spread good vibes wherever we go.
With grace and self compassion we’ll learn to make conscious efforts to focus on the good; no matter how small, and watch how it transforms our lives for the better. 💖 Although, I feel that there are many things we can do to cultivate a more positive outlook and infuse our lives with optimism, I may need to divide this blog into multiple parts, with this serving as Part 1. But for now we’ll start with 4 of my personal favorites that I know will genuinely help you much as it helped me. 🙏🏼
Alright so let’s get started on the first 4 steps that will help us shine from the inside out! ✨
Step 1: “Let it go” 💫
Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to simply “let it go.” When we release the grip of negativity and resentment, we reclaim our time, energy, power and focus on what truly matters to us in life. The phrase “let it go” is more than just a simple expression; it can be incredibly empowering in certain situations.
When faced with the choice between maintaining your inner peace or arguing to justify your reasons, it’s often better to just let things be and allow others to have the last word.
This doesn’t mean letting people walk over you or compromising your self-worth. Rather, it’s about making the conscious decision to let go of things that don’t serve you and only harm your well-being. By releasing these burdens, you can move forward with a lighter heart and a healthier mindset.
By letting go of the things that don’t serve us, we create space to learn new things, to grow, and allow abundance to flow into our lives; knowing that we are choosing to prioritize our peace and happiness above all else. Here are tips for “letting it go” and what we can do instead:
- Practice visualization techniques: Close your eyes and imagine your worries are like the leaves on a tree in autumn. Visualize those leaves slowly detaching and gracefully drifting away, carried by the wind leaving behind a sense of tranquility and renewal in your mind.
- Write it out: Grab a pen and paper and write down everything that’s bothering you or weighing on your mind. Then, crumple up the paper and throw it away, symbolically letting go of those thoughts and freeing yourself from their grip.
- Create a “release” ritual: Light a candle, burn some incense, or play soothing music. Take a few moments to focus on your breath and set the intention to release any negativity or stress you may be holding onto. Then, visualize yourself letting go of those feelings and watch them dissipate into the air.
By practicing these techniques, we shift our mindset, allowing us to mentally release and move past negative situations. This process signals to our brain that it’s time to move forward, helping us to let go, start fresh, and embrace a new beginning.
Step 2: Surround Yourself with Encouragement
As the popular saying goes: “You become who you spend most of your time with” Well, it’s true! It’s important to make sure we’re surrounding ourselves with people and ideas that encourage us to better ourselves and thrive. Seek out friends, family, and mentors who lift us up and inspire us.
Another thing to consider is limiting the negative content you consume on social media. To cultivate a new, positive perspective, it’s important to avoid content, memes, rhetoric, or unproductive news feeds that can bring you down. Be selective about what you watch and listen to, as these inputs significantly influence your mindset and shape your reality.
- Consider joining online communities or social groups that you share your interests and values with.
- Practice setting boundaries and politely but firmly distance yourself from toxic relationships or environments.
- Seek out those who genuinely care about your well-being and support your goals and aspirations.
- Seek guidance from inspirational mentors who inspire you and offer valuable guidance and wisdom. Mentors can be teachers, coaches, colleagues, or anyone whose insights resonate with you and motivate you to strive for greatness.
When we limit our exposure to negativity, we create a space that boosts our mental well-being and helps us become the best versions of ourselves. I like to think of this as a “mental health diet.” Just as we nourish our bodies with good nutrients and vitamins for our physical health, it’s important to feed our minds with positive and healthy inputs. Allow yourself to learn and enrich your mind with knowledge and wisdom while avoiding negative talk. Make conscious decisions that support a positive outlook and mental well-being.
Step 3: Nurture Your Creative Spirit ✂️🎨
Why not kickstart that project you’ve been dreaming about? Whether it’s music, writing, painting, crafting, or anything else that sparks your passion, give yourself permission to explore and create without judgment.
Engaging in artistic expression as a therapeutic outlet can provide profound emotional healing and self-discovery, so make sure to nurture your creative spirit every step of the way. Get the encouragement you need to let your creativity flow 🎨🖌️
- Surround yourself with inspiration! Browsing through Pinterest, visiting a museum, or taking a walk in nature, expose yourself to different ideas and perspectives that will fuel your creativity and ignite your passion for your project.
- Break down your project into smaller, manageable tasks and assign deadlines to each one. This will help you stay on track and make progress consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
- Set an intellectual goal to learn something new, whether it be a new language, a musical instrument, or practicing poetry. Exercise your mind by challenging it with new and diverse tasks.
Now I’m not saying you need to be a “Picasso”, but dedicating even if at least 15 minutes a day, to expressing yourself artistically can stimulate your brain, encouraging creativity and motivation in a healthy and engaging manner. Do you recall the excitement we felt during arts and crafts in grade school? That time was essential for nurturing creativity in our developing minds. Even as adults with responsibilities, it’s crucial to make time for creative expression. It benefits our mental well-being and should be a lifelong practice we never abandon.
Step 4: Spend Time in Nature
🌿 Spending time in nature can truly do wonders for how we feel. Here’s why it’s so special: When we’re surrounded by nature, it actually helps lower our stress levels by reducing cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. Also, being outdoors often encourages us to be more active, whether it’s going for a walk, hike, or simply enjoying the fresh air.
- Soak up the Sun. Basking in sunlight can help alleviate feelings of sadness and increase our levels of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. There’s just something so comforting about feeling the sun’s rays on our skin. But remember to always wear your sun-screen! 🌞
- You can spend your afternoon watching the sunset at a beach or lake nearby, depending on your location. Taking in the water’s view can be peaceful and tranquil.
- You might also want to try taking a hike on a nature trail. Exploring a new trail, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll in the park, spending time outdoors can do wonders for our mood and mental health.
Make it a priority to step outside and breathe in some fresh air, even if it’s just for a drive. Being under the vast expanse of the beautiful sky and appreciating the world’s natural beauty is a gift that reconnects and grounds us to the earth, often without us even realizing it. Taking time to enjoy the day and appreciate all the creatures of the earth is truly a beautiful experience.
Reminder: Focus on the Present Moment
Remember, life is a journey, not a destination – so savor each moment and make the most of the precious gift of today. 🌺 That being said, my friends; I’ll leave off with a reminder that focusing on wonderful things to look forward to, letting go of things that no longer serve you, and living in the present moment can empower your mental health in a holistic way and exude positivity to everyone around you. Shine brightly, and let your beautiful light illuminate the world! 🌅
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