Dr Navodita suggests overcoming negativity by embracing change, pursuing excellence, communicating openly, letting go of the past, and ceasing overthinking, exclusively for Different Truths.
There are several ways in which you can stay away from negativity. Being human means, you often make mistakes. Yet those can be overcome. We usually fall into the loop of negativity, with negative self-talk taking rounds and circling our minds constantly. You feel enveloped by and mired in a quicksand of negative chatter. Here are the ways to get out of it:
Give up fear of change
Many times, new horizons await us. Yet we are unable to embrace them because we are still fearing change and the new bright environment laid out and waiting for us. Goodness is often not easily accepted because we have often fallen into negative patterns, disasters, accidents, or mishaps. So be positive and don’t fear. Let the positive change come by soon and easily.
Abandon perfection, pursue excellence
Another important feature is to strive for excellence. Give up perfection. Nothing is perfect till the end. There is always scope for improvement. Excellence, however, is achievable. To excel does not necessarily mean improving everything again and again. There is an element of deadline and dead-end to excellence but never to perfection.
Never avoid difficult conversations
It may be your parent, spouse, friend or coworker. If something happened recently that leaves you troubled and uncomfortable, where you are not able to sit down and talk it out, think again. Never dismiss small problems. Always clear confusions and misunderstandings. Sit down for that difficult conversation you are trying to avoid which you think may rile up an argument. It will clear pathways. It’s better than no communication at all.
Let go of grudges and regrets
Many times we hold onto grudges with our loved ones. We also form opinions of our loved ones without putting ourselves in their shoes. Don’t hold onto any such grudges and regrets. Go and embrace the time and moment with them. You never know when you will see them or meet them again. Drop the ill feeling towards them. If you have any regrets about how you might have treated them in the past, forget it and send a happy ‘love you’ or ‘can I help you’.
Quit overthinking
To have positive self-talk and mind chatter, you need to quit overthinking. The mind often wanders and clings on to a feeling towards your loved one or a remote cousin who denigrated you or insulted you at a wedding. Stop overthinking, and be gentle, warm and kind to all. Send out love to them and just remove the doubts and fears you might have about them. Dispel fears and negative thought patterns that you might get for them. Stop analysing the past and let go of the old habits of thinking too much.
So, stop comparing yourself to others, embrace the journey towards happiness, stop trying to please everyone, be yourself, and use your time wisely to write and do tasks that increase your self-worth and boost your self-confidence. This will help you stay away from negativity and break those negative patterns.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Navodita Pande teaches Mass Media and Communication and English to ICSE/ISC school in Assam. She also trains students in Yoga, gratitude and healing. She loves to paint, write and read as her pastimes. She lives in Assam with her daughter.
By
By
By
By