How to Stay Positive in an Increasingly Chaotic World

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The world has changed. There are more international conflicts, whether through wars or political maneuvering, and environmental changes are stressing everybody out. Insensitive posts and messages on social media are plaguing the world’s top athletes and prices are escalating globally. When will things change? Until they do, we have a responsibility to ourselves and each other to stay optimistic amidst the chaos and keep our constructive thinking and actions going thereafter. Mastering how to remain positive in a negative world is an ultimate feat. See if these tips help you.

1. Remember That Everything Happens for a Reason

Yes, it’s a common expression and there’s also a reason for that. Many things in your life have obvious causes and effects connected to them. You know that if you work harder and smarter, you’ll eventually benefit through increases and promotions. If you study conscientiously, you’ll end up receiving better grades. Exercising regularly will improve your fitness and health. There are defined reasons for doing what you do.

But what about those perceived negative things that happen in your life — the ones where you can’t find obvious reasons for why they happened? These kinds of events test our positivity the most. Viktor Frankl’s renowned book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” describes how accepting your fate affords you opportunities to add deeper meaning to your life, even in the most trying conditions. 

Although you can’t identify a reason for adverse circumstances at the time, believing they exist creates an optimistic slant in your thinking.

2. Be Patient Awaiting Outcomes

Taking Frankl’s belief that bit further can help you maintain your positivity for longer. Using an extreme example entrenches his theory further. Say you’ve lost a loved one to an incurable condition. After watching that person struggle to beat the odds, they eventually succumb after prolonged bravery amidst much pain. You’ve witnessed their courage and their passing leaves you empty and at a loss to explain why it all happened. How can there be a reason explaining this event? 

At this point, life tests your belief that all things happen for a reason most. Maintain your faith and have patience, knowing that it exists. You shouldn’t try to find the reason. Instead, believe it will reveal itself at the best time — when you’re supposed to know. Accepting this is true will allow you to move through your trying period more positively. When, suddenly, the reason does reveal itself — days, months or years later — you’ll have an uplifting feeling that entrenches your positive attitude even further. 

Having patience in the middle of trying times increases your personal power to deal with them constructively.

3. Discover How to Love Yourself

Depending on your own beliefs and experiences, you might view self-love as something narcissistic. The reality is that a reliance on societal norms and standards, especially in today’s world, places negative pressure on you to achieve a great body, have a spectacular job and a top-rated expensive sports car to achieve a life status that others will admire. If you love yourself, have confidence in your abilities and decisions. Acknowledge your own needs — not wants — to improve yourself positively. 

Ultimately, you’ll stand a better chance of achieving life success for yourself, not because you need to conform to society’s expectations.  Although many societal norms have significant benefits, you’ll do these for you and not care what anybody else besides those near and dear to you thinks. Self-love nowadays has helpful connotations. Psychologically, it is a beneficial way to manage emotions and improve mental health, encouraging you to stop negative self-talk and actions.

Loving yourself will lead to self-acceptance, higher self-esteem, more determination, greater motivation, heightened self-awareness, less anxiety and a better night’s sleep. All of these will make you a more positive person who will stay that way, despite the expectations of others.

4. Learn Something Every Day

It’s possible that the true meaning of life revolves around learning and personal growth. Embracing a learning mindset will show you how to stay positive at work, in your home and family environment and in life itself. Think about it — you’re not on this earth to stagnate and wallow in self-pity. You’re here to serve a purpose and advance yourself. Learning new things, no matter how big or small, assists you in growing into a better person today than you were yesterday. 

Identify what you now understand once you’ve done so. That mental note encourages you to keep learning. Perhaps you’ve recently picked up how to use jumper cables to start your car. Will you forget this skill in the future? Maybe you made an error at work that cost your company thousands of dollars. Will you make the same move again? Learning new things while not repeating your errors shows proactivity and encourages personal growth. 

Knowing you’re constantly mastering new things and automatically growing from your knowledge helps you develop more soft skills and fuels your sense of accomplishment and motivation. These automatically give you a more positive outlook as you navigate daily life in a world where many others are only treading water. 

5. Eliminate Drama Where Possible

Remove gossip-mongers and complainers from your inner circle, and try to avoid them whenever possible. Surround yourself with optimistic people who will support and uplift you when needed and for whom you’ll do the same. These people will assist you by providing proactive advice and feedback and reducing stress. Your “clan” should consist of people who encourage you on your journey of self-belief and personal growth, being positive role models by living their lives in ways that promote progressive thoughts and action.

Mixing with people who display “drama queen” tendencies is often exhausting. They can sap your energy and positivity by constantly being victims, blaming others and continually complaining in their narratives. Especially if you’re working on your own positivity, spending time with these people can adversely affect your motivation and goals. However, recognize that their behavior is often deep-seated. It frequently stems from being ignored at a young age, resulting in a psychological need to be the center of attention. It could also be compensation for a lack of self-worth.

Perhaps when you’ve mastered staying helpful and optimistic in life, you can provide insights to help those who create dramatic conversations and situations. Until then, avoid them wherever possible and work on building your positive environment.

Staying Positive Means Effort and Commitment 

In today’s world, complete with its elements undermining your optimism, you’ll need tenacity and dedication to transform your mental fortitude into a genuinely constructive outlook. Whether you draw support from friends, reading materials or mental health experts, continual effort and commitment will drive your success. Realize that having these qualities will already promote positive thought and action, so half your battle is already won.