By this time of year, we’re usually tired out from all the tips that told us we could go to sleep on the evening of 2020 and wake up in 2021 as someone completely new. And while the promise of a fresh slate can be irresistible, it can sometimes bring about goals that are unrealistic, and therefore unlikely to be reached. Not only does this bring about a huge amount of pressure (potentially followed by disappointment), but telling ourselves to be a certain way isn’t going to magic it true.
One great goal to concentrate on, however, is building a positive mindset. And with many confessing to having felt low in the leadup to Christmas, there really is no better time to start. We’ve put together some mini steps that you can take, which, over time, could help to give you a more positive mindset in 2021 and beyond. Hint: it doesn’t involve five green smoothies per day, nor working out seven days a week!
A morning routine
Most of us aren’t blessed with being morning people, but a morning routine can be miraculous in shifting your mindset for the day. It doesn’t have to include a 6am start and 10k run, but some consistency can be really helpful – especially when working from home. Try to stick to your alarm and time you’ve set, and try to give yourself a slow start to the day. Even an extra fifteen minutes where you can sit with a coffee or your breakfast without using your other hand to type up work emails can make all the difference. Use it to mull over what you need to do today to meet your goals instead.
There’s a feeling of accomplishment that comes from making small, achievable goals. This, alongside a structured start to your mornings, will help ensure a positive mindset for the remainder of the day.
Surround yourself with good people
It may seem obvious, but surrounding yourself with a circle who you see as good people, and make you feel good about yourself, will bring you great benefits in return. Firstly, being around people that inspire you with their morals, values, and attitude to life is going to encourage that positivity in you too. Secondly, they’ll push you to be the very best version of yourself, and offer you the support that you need to adopt a healthier, more positive mindset. So, while it’s never easy to make these changes; consider pulling your closest closer, and stepping away from those that take you down a slippery slope. In fact, it can be tempting to pull away from everyone completely in lockdown, but checking in on your loved ones will help your spirits to stay lifted.
Let yourself laugh it out
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and sometimes the burden of that can feel too much to bear. When much of what we are hearing is just a constant slew of bad news, we can suffer from increased stress and anxiety, both of which have been shown to have a huge impact on our health. So, how can we avoid this? There’s truth to laughter being the best medicine; in fact, some studies have suggested that watching comedy can help to reduce anxiety, decrease pain, and even boost our immune system. This is not to say that putting on your favourite Netflix comedy, or belly laughing with your best friend will fix everything – but it certainly can’t hurt, and can serve as an amazing way to rest, recuperate and heal from the stresses of your days.
Document your week
From the ‘Dear Diary’ approach to gratitude journaling, there are many theories around the benefits that putting our thoughts on paper can bring. If it seems too much of a commitment to keep up, why not try simply documenting a few bullet points at the end of your day (or week) about the little things that made you happy. Not only will it be an uplifting thing to look back on but documenting your week can also serve as a lovely way to see the small successes you would otherwise not notice. Over time, this bigger picture will help you to create a more positive outlook on the life you’re leading.
So, there you have it: some simple, actionable steps to get you off to a positive start this year. Why not put them into practice and see where it takes you and your mindset in 2021?
