1 Simple (But INCREDIBLY Effective) Tool To Maintain A Positive Outlook

It’s not a secret that maintaining a positive attitude is crucial to our overall emotional wellness, but unfortunately, many of us find that this often easier said than done. It can be hard to stay happy and positive in the face of bullying, domestic abuse, depression, eating disorders, or any number of the other challenging situations and conditions that so many of us face. As a limited licensed therapist in the state of Michigan, I strive to do everything I can to empower my clients to improve their overall mood and outlook on life. This week, I want to share with you a simple (but incredibly effective) tool I have found to help you elevate your mood.

Don’t Focus On The Negative.

When we are victims of domestic abuse, bullying, or unsupportive relationships from our parents or spouses, it is very easy for us to slip into a debilitating depression. The challenges we face seem so great that we can’t imagine ever overcoming them – and, as a result, we lack the ambition to try. However, I have seen time and time again that my clients who receive online therapy in Michigan and who are willing to take their futures back into their own hands can achieve outstanding results.

When we focus solely on the negative things in our life, we give power to those things and draw more of them to us. Believe it or not, the path to a stronger, healthier you can start out as simply paying more attention to the things in life that make you happy.

Start Each Day With A “Thankful Journal.”

A “thankful journal” or “grateful journal” (sometimes also called a “sunshine diary”) is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a journal dedicated to documenting all of the things in your life that you appreciate. While it may sound cheesy or overly simple at first, many of my clients find that maintaining this journal has overwhelming benefits.

The things we include in our thankful journals do not have to be big or especially “important.” If they make you happy, even the littlest things are worth writing about. If you’re feeling stuck, here are a few examples to get your creative juices flowing:

• I’m grateful the sun is shining.
• I’m thankful to have my friends and family in my life.
• I’m grateful for my pet.
• I’m thankful to have a roof over my head and food on my table.