Optimism is an attitude, a way of living that can be trained, chosen and put into practice. We already know that we cannot control what happens outside of us: the traffic, our boss, our work colleagues and much less the way in which people address us. What we can manage is the way we decide to act in the surrounding situations.

Optimism is one of those attitudes or tools that we have naturally with us and that allows us to face different adverse circumstances with hope and positivism.

The good news is that it can be trained, and that being or not being optimistic is not just a matter of genetics or the environment in which we live. Let’s take a look at these 4 strategies to become more optimistic and improve the quality of our lives.

1. Recognize pessimism

Yes, the first thing you should do is to recognize when you let yourself get carried away by pessimism, which is the antonym of optimism. If you feel that the situations you are going through are going to end badly, that you will not find a way out and that you only have negative thoughts about it, then it is time to recognize your pessimistic side. Only by knowing that it is there and naming it will you know what you can do to reverse that attitude.

When you notice that only a dark atmosphere surrounds you, and you can’t handle the whirlwind of negativity, say “stop” in a firm, clear voice. You will notice how it stops, and it will be time to take advantage of that second of mental stillness to turn the page and give way to thoughts a little more benevolent. Let’s go to point two to know what to focus on.

2. Thank

“Thanks” is a magic word in every sense of the word. When you say thank you to someone, it opens a door of kindness and good vibes that are felt in every cell of your body (and that of your interlocutor).

On the other hand, when you say thanks silently, you are also generating a field of positivity that only focuses on attracting more of what you are thankful for. Are you in good health? Say thanks. Do you have a home, a family, a job? Say thanks. Do you feel you have nothing to be thankful for? Take paper and pencil and list at least 5 things for which you feel gratitude, and I assure you that you will find them.

3. Make room for what you like

Along with the gratitude list, I invite you to make another list of things and activities you enjoy doing. Be sure to include a meeting with that friend who makes you laugh or cheers you up, an outdoor activity in as natural a space as possible, and a special treat like your favorite dessert or drink.

No matter how little you think it is, it all adds up and does its part in building a more optimistic attitude.

4. Accept your limitations

We live in a world that has more and more environmental, war, human, health, etc. conflicts. As I mentioned at the beginning, you must accept that you do not have the power to change the world, you only have the power to change yourself, to focus on what you can do.

Learning to manage your emotions in the face of conflict will be crucial to cultivating optimism; recognizing negative thoughts, sadness, and pain will help you create your own strategies for being an optimistic person.

You can find more content like this at Versuasions in Spanish.

Translator Jimena Freytes