Staying Positive Even Through Tough Times
By Summer
I was never always a positive person, and it still is hard for me to stay positive sometimes. Finding the worst in every situation was much easier for me than finding the best. I was so negative that even my family was starting to notice—my mom would remind me that I always “look at things from a negative point of view,” and my moods would affect my friends, who would look at things negatively, too.
I spent a lot of time being pessimistic and angry in high school, especially regarding situations that were not really all that bad. I was a member of the theatre department, but I was not an actor; I was in charge of the soundboard in the booth. I would get annoyed when actors would goof around or when they didn’t appreciate their microphones the same way I did. I had built this wall between me in the booth and them on the stage. I saw them as completely different people, even though we were working together to make the same show as successful as possible.
High School me hanging out in the booth.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but I wish that I had enjoyed those moments in the theatre department more than I did, because looking back on it that time in the auditorium really made my high school experience. I met my boyfriend through the theatre department, and we’re still together five years later. Ever since this realization I have tried to be a more positive person. It can definitely still be hard sometimes, but below are some tips I have found along the way that help me stay positive.
Try to find at least one good thing in any difficult situation.
This is hard for a lot of people, including me. However, it can help to remind yourself that things aren’t always all bad. If you find yourself thinking or talking negatively, stop yourself for a minute and challenge yourself to consider something positive that could come out of the situation. Do you have a lot of finals you have to study for? A week from now, you will be on summer or winter break and you can start that book you’ve been wanting to read. Did your friend tell a secret they swore they’d never tell? Now you know who you can trust with secrets and who you can’t. This can be hard to do in the moment, but the more you practice it, the more you’ll find you are thinking more positively in these situations.
Have a positive playlist to listen to when you feel upset.
Sometimes it’s easy for me to listen to sad songs and playlists when I’m feeling down. If you need a pick-me-up, consider creating a playlist of some happy, upbeat songs that you enjoy listening to. I have a playlist of tracks that remind me of the summertime and those songs always make me happy. It consists of artists like Paramore, the Beach Boys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Struts. The best thing about creating a playlist is that everyone’s positive playlist is completely unique to them.
Have a positivity journal.
Journaling can be therapeutic to some people. It’s a good way to look back on your life and see how full it can be. You can look back at your journal to remember people, places, and events you are grateful for when you’re feeling down.
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Overall, what I’ve learned about negative experiences is that they don’t last forever. Make sure to look for the silver linings in your life, and know that all bad times must come to an end. Appreciate the life you’re living in the moment, because one day you will look back and see all the memories you made, and be thankful that you stayed positive during the hard parts.
