A Guide on How to Remove Negative Thoughts From Your Life
Many of us struggle with negativity in life. We endlessly worry about the future – preventing us from living in the present. Our thoughts are too one-sided, and we fail to find purpose. To stop negativity from holding us back, we need to change our thinking patterns, but we also need positive action. On this basis, here is a guide on how to remove negative thoughts from your life.
Before thinking about the “power of positivity” or “mindset development,” there is an essential truth to remember. Positivity is not a cure for everything.
You won’t become successful in business or life just because you have a positive mindset.
In short, reducing negativity in life won’t solve all of your problems.
Nevertheless, removing negativity is a starting point. In other words, if you want to improve your life, eliminating negative attitudes will put you in a pole position.
How to remove negative thoughts from your life
The following are some of the best techniques to stop negativity from interfering with your progress.
Become mindful of your thinking patterns
The first step toward eliminating negative thoughts is to discover their sources.
Many people get caught up in defeatist thinking patterns as a result of not understanding their anxieties. In other words, we don’t know why and how our thoughts are negative.
That’s where mindfulness comes into play.
In simple terms, mindfulness is all about connecting to the present. In the words of the American Psychological Association, it’s a:
“moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait.”
As such, you need to enter a calm and concentrated state to get to the root of your negativity. Whether you empty your mind through meditation or write your thoughts down in a journal, mindfulness rituals are crucial to reduce your negativity.
Once you know the genuine reasons behind your negativity – for example, past mistakes, previous experiences at work, or general anxiety, you’ll be in a better position to deal with your negative thoughts.
Stop negativity by cutting the roots of negative thoughts
After analyzing the inner workings of your negativity through mindfulness, it’s time to treat the cause, not its symptoms.
In other words, you need to stop negative thoughts before they can spread to your general mindset.
Learn Mind Power describes this process in the following terms:
“The instant that you recognize you are thinking a negative thought, you end it. You don’t argue with it, you don’t analyze it, and you don’t defend yourself against it. You just cut it off. Simply cut it off and insert a totally different thought into your mind.”
The idea is that you replace a negative thinking pattern with a positive one before the destructive attitude can grow.
As an example, you might be scared of a job interview.
If they don’t hire me, my entire career will suffer. That negative thought isn’t just influencing your chances of acing the job interview. It’s interfering with all of your career ideas. That’s why you need to cut its root and replace it with something along the following lines:
The interview could be challenging. So, I need to prepare. Nevertheless, if I don’t get that job, there will be other possibilities.
Instead of thinking about the negative consequences of a potential failure, you highlight what’s in your control: preparation. And in the same thought pattern, you remind yourself that there are escape routes. Even if there is a bit of negativity left in your brain, your positive attitudes will overshadow it and equip you for the actual challenge: the interview.
Allow positivity to blossom amid other positivity
Much like hindering negativity from spreading, the opposite also applies to positive thoughts.
As such, if you’re wondering how to stop negative thoughts, focus on giving positivity the ability to blossom.
In practice, fill your mind with inspiring stories. Think about exciting projects or memories from the past to create an overall positive mental framework. Nobody is 100% positive all the time, but we need to let positivity take the upper hand.
In that same vein, it’s essential to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm. As author and entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Consequently, if you want your positivity to flourish, curate your environment.
Practice the art of reframing
The tactic of reframing is another effective method to reduce negativity in life.
According to Verywellmind:
“The essential idea behind reframing is that the frame through which a person views a situation determines their point of view. When that frame is shifted, the meaning changes – and thinking and behavior often change along with it.”
As such, reframing is all about modifying the meaning that you assign to a particular event or idea.
When you have to deal with negative emotions or experiences, your perspective can make all the difference.
One frame of mind that can help is seeing the world in a neutral state.
Everything that happens is positive for some people and negative for others. Once you realize that events are – in the grand scheme – neutral, you’ll become better at changing your lens.
In this context, Stoic teachings like controlling your perceptions and focusing on your sphere of influence are powerful methods that can help you reduce negativity in life.
Take action against negativity in life
Finally, after having taken care of your attitude, it’s time to counter with positive action.
Simply put, identify a few core habits that safeguard your positivity. These can include reading, taking care of your body by going to the gym, walking in nature, or pursuing a passion project.
Whenever you’re wondering how to remove negative thoughts, fall back on these core habits. To make sure that these rituals come to full fruition, incorporate them into your daily routine.
Useful links on How to Remove Negative Thoughts From Your Life
- more in the section “Life”
- more under the topic “Mindfulness”
- read 7 Minimalist Ways to Deal With Uncertainty in Your Life
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