Mindfully Serene

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. We’re all juggling different responsibilities, facing challenges, and working toward goals that can feel distant or daunting. In times like these, it’s easy to focus on the negative—what’s going wrong, what’s not happening the way we want it to. But what if there was another way? What if we could shift our thinking to create more positive energy in our lives and set ourselves up for success?

This is where the power of positive thinking comes in. Positive thinking isn’t about pretending everything is perfect or ignoring the difficulties we face. Instead, it’s about reframing our thoughts, cultivating hope, and focusing on the possibilities for growth. And the best part? We can rewire our brains to make positive thinking a habit, leading to a more fulfilling and successful life. I remember when I first heard about positive thinking. I remember thinking “how can I ignore all the bad stuff?!”. However, the more I learnt about positive thinking, I realised that we can still acknowledge the ‘bad’, while also choosing to focus more on the good. 

What is Positive Thinking?

Positive thinking is often described as having an optimistic outlook, choosing to focus on solutions rather than problems, and believing in the possibility of success. It’s also sometimes called the ‘glass half full’ kind of mindset. It’s the belief that your mindset plays a critical role in shaping your experiences and how you handle challenges. By practicing positive thinking, you train your mind to look for the good in every situation, no matter how difficult. I think it’s important to note that, there is just not good in some situations, no matter how hard we look. For example, when I lost my brother in 2016, there was absolutely NO good there. However, for most situations (i.e., stress at work, losing a job, a friend leaving your life) there may be some good within those things, even if it is tiny!

Research shows that adopting a positive mindset can have a profound impact on our health, relationships, and success. Positive thinking has been linked to improved physical health, including a stronger immune system, lower levels of stress, and better heart health. It also helps improve mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety while boosting self-esteem and resilience. So, basically, a LOT of good stuff. 

The Science Behind Positive Thinking

Our brains are wired to look for threats. This is part of our evolutionary survival mechanism—our brains are constantly scanning for potential dangers. As a result, we tend to focus on negative experiences or challenges more than positive ones, often without realizing it. This is a concept which is known in Psychology as the “negativity bias.” 

The good news is that we can counteract this bias. Just as the brain is wired to look for negative experiences, it can also be rewired to focus on the positive. Research has shown that this negativity bias may be stronger/more prominent in individuals who have endured a lot of trauma, or faced a lot of difficult experiences in their lives. So, for this particular group of people, overcoming this bias may take a little more time and effort. However, the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, means that with practice, we can train our brains to develop more optimistic thought patterns. Repeated positive thinking strengthens neural pathways associated with happiness, resilience, and success.

For example, when you make a conscious effort to practice gratitude or focus on positive aspects of your day, your brain begins to recognize those thoughts as important. Over time, this helps create a more optimistic outlook, even in challenging times.

How to Rewire Your Brain for Success

The good news is that rewiring your brain for success doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your life. Small, consistent changes in your thinking and behavior can have a big impact. Here are a few simple strategies to help you start cultivating a more positive mindset:

1. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools for shifting your mindset. Taking time each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for—whether it’s your health, your family, or something small like a beautiful sunrise—helps train your brain to focus on what’s going well. The more you practice gratitude, the more your brain begins to notice the positive aspects of your life.

You can start by keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you’re grateful for each day. Over time, you’ll begin to notice how much more you have to appreciate, even on the tough days. This is something I mention a LOT in my blog posts (sorry!), but it really is such a great way of training our mind to see the good in things.

One thing I may also do is, when I notice myself complaining a lot about a particular thing, I will force myself to notice one thing about that thing that I appreciate. So, for example, if I am having a really difficult day at work and I get into a negative headspace about work, I will ask myself to think of at least one thing about my work I appreciate. Examples may be that I get to work with such lovely people, I make a difference to people’s lives, my work provides me with a stable income, or I have the option of ‘flexible working’ and get to also work from home. 

2. Reframe Negative Thoughts

We all experience negative thoughts from time to time, but how we respond to them can make a big difference. Reframing is the practice of changing the way we interpret or react to challenging situations.

For example, let’s say you didn’t get the job you wanted. A negative thought might be, “I’m not good enough, I’ll never succeed.” But reframing that thought might look like, “I didn’t get this job, but it’s a chance to learn from the experience and grow. The right opportunity is out there for me. Perhaps this is leading me onto something greater.”

This technique helps us view setbacks as opportunities for growth, which can reduce feelings of defeat and increase our resilience.

3. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems

When we encounter challenges, it’s easy to get stuck in the problem itself. But focusing on the solution is a powerful way to regain a sense of control and move forward. Instead of fixating on the problem, ask yourself: “What can I do about this?” This shift in focus opens up new possibilities and helps us feel empowered rather than defeated.

However, it is important to validate your emotions in response to the problem you’re facing. For example, allow yourself to feel sad/angry/frustrated, or whatever it is you’re feeling, and then switch to a solution-focussed mindset. Sometimes we can become too solution-focussed, which may cause us to become invalidating (unintentionally!) to our own, or other people’s feelings. 

4. Surround Yourself with Positivity

The people we spend time with, the media we consume, and the environments we create all have a profound impact on our mindset. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who lift you up and inspire you. Limit exposure to negative influences, such as news or social media that can leave you feeling anxious or discouraged.

Creating a positive environment—whether it’s a clutter-free workspace, a peaceful home, or a support group—can also help reinforce your positive mindset.

5. Take Care of Your Body

Your physical health is deeply connected to your mental health. When we take care of our bodies—through regular exercise, healthy eating, and enough sleep—we create a foundation for a positive mindset. When you feel physically well, it’s easier to maintain a positive attitude and handle stress with resilience.

6. Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful technique that involves imagining yourself achieving your goals. By visualizing success, you activate the brain’s reward system, which can motivate you to take action and stay focused on your goals. Spend a few minutes each day imagining what success looks like for you—whether it’s landing a dream job, finishing a project, or simply feeling at peace with yourself.

The Dangers of Toxic Positivity

While positive thinking is powerful, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s a limit to how much positivity we should expect from ourselves and others. This is where the concept of “toxic positivity” comes into play.

Toxic positivity is the belief that we should always maintain a positive attitude, no matter what. It’s the idea that negative emotions should be suppressed or ignored in favor of only thinking happy thoughts. While this might sound harmless, toxic positivity can be harmful because it invalidates real emotions and experiences.

For example, telling someone who is grieving, “Just think positive thoughts, and everything will be okay” can feel dismissive and unhelpful. It’s essential to recognize that it’s okay to feel sad, frustrated, or anxious sometimes. Acknowledging and processing those emotions is just as important as practicing positive thinking.

True positive thinking is about balance. It’s about cultivating optimism and hope while still allowing space for difficult emotions. It’s about embracing the full range of human experiences, knowing that we don’t have to be happy all the time to be successful or worthy.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Positive Thinking

Rewiring your brain for success through positive thinking is a powerful way to improve your life. By focusing on gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, and taking care of your mental and physical health, you can create a mindset that supports your growth and success. However, it’s essential to practice this positivity with compassion and self-awareness, remembering that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions and that toxic positivity has no place in a healthy mindset.

Positive thinking is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making small, intentional changes to the way we think and act, allowing us to create a life that aligns with our true potential. So, start today. Embrace the power of positive thinking and see how it can transform your mind, your body, and your future.

What are some of your ways of trying to think more positively? I’d love to hear them – please leave them in the comments below.

I’ll speak to you soon.

Lots of Love,

T x