Focus on the Positives

You guys. I have to be honest about something. I've struggled a lot lately with staying positive. I've played the "Why me?" game a couple times too. I've had a few cry sessions...the not so ugly cries too. And I've complained. A lot. 

I'm not proud of it. I like to think of myself as a positive person. As someone who can take the hits and keep on moving forward. 

But let's be real. I am human. And this last year has been insanely rough. The first six months were a blur...I think I was numb and just going through the motions. And the next six months...well, I started to thaw out and actually FEEL everything that was going on. And, well...THAT was tough! 

And during those second six months, a lot of additional things happened. Some were good, and some fell into the "Why me?" category. I'm pretty sure I even said to a couple people, "When will I stop getting kicked when I'm down?" 

And you know where that led me? Down a rabbit hole of pity and focusing on ALL the negative things going on in my life. 

Yep. What you focus on is what you get. So here I was focusing on all the bad things and the negatives going on...so I kept getting those things. 

It's this terrible, vicious cycle. And I felt stuck there for entirely too long. 

And sometimes it takes someone else pointing it out to recognize it too. Because I certainly didn't. I just kept thinking "Woe is me." 

I kind of wish someone would have smacked me. Because I want to smack myself even writing this. 

Because I am not that person. I don't like being in that place. Or at least staying there for a long time. 

I'm not going to lie to y'all. Getting out of that mindset is hard. Re-learning to focus on the positives takes a little work. Okay...maybe a lot of work. 

But once it was pointed out to me, once I realized what I was doing and how I was speaking (to myself and to others), I knew I had to make some changes.

For starters, I hadn't been praying as much as I should. I was relying on myself to solve all my problems. I was no longer giving all my worries and anxieties to God. And that, in and of itself, makes such a huge difference in my life. So that was one of the first things I changed and started doing again. 

The second thing I did was start focusing on everything in my life that was going well! Because I have so many positives happening...I was just pushing them to the back burner.

And you guessed it! When I started focusing on the good things and all the positives, positive things started happening! And when I started giving all my troubles to God, I felt a peace I haven't in awhile. Because no matter what's going on in my life, He has always had my back. And He has always provided. Even when I didn't think I was going to be able to do it or make it.

There's no magic answer to turning your thoughts from the negative to the positive. But it is a simple answer...you have to do the work. You have to change your mindset. You have to start focusing on the GOOD things. And get out of the habit of feeling sorry for yourself. 

Because life really is good. And there are so many good things to focus on. And I don't know about you, but I'd much rather spend my time focusing on all the things going well in my life. Because I want more of that! 

I hope you all have an awesome week. And if you need any help with this change in mindset, let's chat! It is truly so much easier to do when you have someone helping you out and who is on your side. And, you know, someone to remind you there are good things happening! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney ​