Overcoming negative thoughts is not easy. You must be aware when your thoughts start turning negative, and you feel negative emotions rushing to the surface. In this article, you are going to learn four ways you can conquer your negative thoughts. 1. Tell yourself to stop With self-awareness, you can easily tell yourself to STOP, or you can use more decisive language such as telling that negative side of you to SHUT UP!! the moment you start feeling negative. When you feel like your thoughts are turning darker with each passing moment, and you feel rage, anger, sadness, fear, or other similar negative emotions intensifying, then you need to pause. Take a deep breath. Tell yourself to STOP or SHUT UP! And when you tell yourself to STOP, then you better believe in yourself. You cannot just say STOP or SHUT UP, then continue thinking negative thoughts. You must master those emotions and do your best to replace them with positive thoughts. 2. Do not live in the past Negative people usually dwell on the past. We have all had terrible things happen in our past, but it is the negative thinkers who continue to get stuck in it. Whatever has happened in the past should stay in the past. (Though you should learn from it, else you repeat it) You should learn to make peace with it so you can move forward. Getting closure is an important part of the process of learning to let go of the past. So, get it done as soon as you possibly can! 3. Talk to yourself positively Imagine yourself as your very own best friend. If your best friends were feeling down, you would try to cheer them up, wouldn’t you? You would not leave them an emotional wreck. Instead, what you would do is do your best to cheer your friend up. You would ask him or her to go on a walk to clear their head. Maybe even treat them to their favorite snack or something. Then you would tell them it is not the end of the world. When talking to yourself, remember to always use positive words. 4. Surround yourself with positive people If you are constantly surrounded by negative people, you will be absorbing their collective negative energy, and before you know it, you will be thinking negatively all the time. You would be doubting yourself; you would be doubting others, you would be doubting everybody. With positive people, however, you will experience the exact opposite. You will feel happier when you are surrounded by positivity so seek out the kind of friends who will always cheer you up and motivate you.
To your success,
William J. McClelland CLC, CNC, MPNLP
Disclaimer: Please understand that the content of this article is not meant to replace the advice of a licensed physician. The information provided here is intended as educational material only and should never be interpreted as medical advice. If you feel your condition is a medical emergency, please immediately contact your physician or mental healthcare professional.