With the election in America finally coming to a hault, I couldn’t find a more perfect time frame to enter my first article about happiness and positivity… Negativity seems to be all around us right now. In the media, with family, friends and even within yourselves. Positive thinking can be EXTREMELY difficult, especially in times like these, but it is do-able; I promise! There are a lot of people who are dissatisfied with their levels of happiness - so now more than ever we need to keep our positivity at the forefront of our every day lives. To achieve this you have to work, and I mean work hard - but I guarantee you that your life will become much more fulfilled, if you even just start with baby steps to be an all around happier YOU.
1. Trust In Yourself!
First and foremost learning to trust yourself is so important. If there is anyone in your life that you should trust, it's yourself! If you cannot trust in your own ability to make decisions, whether big or small, how can you be happy? Yes - I know sometimes it's GREAT to have decisions made automatically for you - I agree! Yet when it come sto being your best self and having your own individuality, decision making is the key! Start with making small decisions on your own! If trusting yourself is something new, start small! Think of simple decisions that you can make without asking for advice such as, picking a movie, choosing where to go for dinner, finally realizing its worth it to buy the shoes! ANYTHING! If this is something you are already comfortable with - start with making larger decisions on your own! Whether it's starting a new relationship, moving out for the first time, or purchasing a new car - just know that you can do this! I have found the more I trust myself, the more empowered I feel. I am much more confident in my own decision-making process, which all in all, makes me happier!
2. Find Your Passion!
I (being a positive thinker) believe that every single person has a passion and a purpose on this planet. The problem is, most choose not to pursue them or find them. Some of you may say that is naive, but I whole-heartedly believe this. I know I found my passion at a young age, which I believe where is a lot of people find their first passions. Whether its watching an idol in a sports setting, following in parents’ foot steps, or even just participating in activities young - passions can spark anywhere! I was obsessed and completely emerged in the dance world. I loved it and I still love it today. Some find their passions later in life. For example, women learning that they were put on this Earth to be mothers, or succeeding and actually enjoying a job that you never thought you would love! Finding something that brings you an immediate release of pure joy will INSTANTLY make you happier. To this day when I am feeling upset or angry I throw on some music, dance without a care in the world, and completely its exhilarating. Finding your passion can start with just joining a club or taking a class in something you have wanted to learn about. Meeting new people, having new adventures or just experiencing new things in your everyday life can lead to finding your passion. Try new things!
3. Get Rid Of Toxic People!
This one is a tough one - but it's SO important in becoming happier. There are going to be people in your life that will constantly bring you down. Cut them out of your lives as much as possible! This is easier said than done in some cases, but if you cannot cut them out of your lives completely - cut out the amount of time you spend thinking about them. If you have friends in your lives who are always rude to you, talking about you behind your back, and just being an all around terrible friend… GET RID OF THEM! You do not have time for drama or negativity. It is wearing you down and exhausting you by pulling you in all different directions. This has taken me years to figure out and I something I still struggle with. If you are stressing yourself out to trying to please this person; take a step back and think - if the roles were reversed, would they be this stressed? Toxic people are never happy, always complaining, miserable humans that are just here to try to suck all the happiness out of you. Don’t let them. Do not allow them to steal something that you have built so hard to create! Keep positively thinking and cut out the people who think otherwise. Surrounding yourself with positive people will also help cut the negative ones out. You will enjoy your time with these positive influences much more than you would with the negative influences so its natural to just drift out of these relationships.
4. Be Selfish Every Once In A While!
There are times in life when you need to stop doing everything for everyone else. Do something completely and utterly for yourself and have no shame! Whether its finally working up the courage to ask the girl out, or something as simple ordering takeout and sitting in by yourself on a Saturday night because you need down time! - ANYTHING counts for this! If you are 25 and are not settling down or looking for a future hubby/wife - THAT IS OKAY! You can have moments of selfish-ness in your life. Appreciate this time! Taking time to do the things you love or be with those who you love will definitely make you happier. Me personally? I adore coming home after a long day at work and the gym and just slipping into a nice hot bubble bath, with a bath bomb, a glass of wine and a good book or show on Netflix. This to me is taking the much needed time to unwind from my hectic day and it makes me a much more happier person to be around all together. I urge everyone to be unapologetically selfish every once in a while. You work hard. You deserve a break from reality every once in a while. No matter how you choose to get that escape, make sure it’s making you happy. That is all that matters.
5. Always Try To Find The Good With The Bad!
I save this one for last because it is probably the hardest step to take to try to think positively. Lets say a long term boyfriend/girlfriend ends your relationship. Yes - its going to be hard and you may be heart broken for a while, but its not the end of the world. Remember that you still have a purpose even if you haven’t found it just yet. You’re allowed to be sad, but little by little start thinking about all the opportunities they just opened up for you! To be completely cheesy - The world is your oyster!! You can start from scratch (although scary) this can be exhilarating at the same time! Taking a step into the unknown world of finding, re-creating, and changing your life could be exactly what you needed to grow past this heart break. On the other hand… If its something that you cannot change, such as the results of the election… STOP saying you’re moving to Canada and START finding a way to make a difference. This can lead you back to #2 - if you are passionate about making a change for this country… get off your butt’s and actually do something about it! We need strong leaders and positive influencers in this nation! Or if you just want to think more positively about the situation at hand… just look at the fact that Trump still has to follow all federal laws and regulations to get bills passed and laws changed. There are still a lot of people (republicans included) out there who dislike him, so there is a chance nothing major will change. This is not a political post - but it’s something I believe all Americans have stressed about during this election season no matter which candidate you were supporting - so everyone can relate in some way, shape, or form.
It would be ignorant to believe that just by following these 5 steps that you will completely be happy all time. I can almost guarantee that it will not happen overnight. But by coherently taking the right steps to start a more positive thought process… that is what is going to change your life. Those are steps I take everyday and sometimes I fail. I have days where I just curl up and cry too, and I guess my main point is - that is okay too! Just don’t stay in that negative place for too long. I can tell you 100% positive thinking has changed my life - I hope you found at least one thing you can take away from this article. Remember - trust yourself, be passionate, ignore the negativity, be selfish sometimes, and always find the good within the bad.
Sending good vibes always -- 
