By Naseerah Nanabhai
02:03:2022

It happens unintentionally, there you are going about your day, and suddenly a bad thought creeps into your head.  You may think something like, ‘What if I’m making a big mistake?’ Thereafter, comes the ripple effect: “I have no idea what I’m doing. Why did I say that? Why did I agree to do that? I can’t do that.”, and it goes on.

Everybody has experienced negative thoughts at some point or another. But when they set your mind deep into a downward spiral, it is a call for concern.

Negative thoughts usually stem from general anxiety, depression, or other mental conditions, and their effects can be detrimental. These include always anticipating the worst, making a big deal of minor situations, ignoring positive aspects, and habitually blaming oneself. They often lead people to withdraw from who they are and make it harder to enjoy things. On the bright side, though, there are ways to escape the negative spiral.

Transforming negative thinking into positive thinking takes time and practice but is not impossible. One of the ways of doing so is to practice reframing here; the focus is on what you have or get to experience instead of what you don’t. Another is to build resiliency by accepting that change is part of life and taking action on problems rather than waiting or hoping that they disappear independently.

Ultimately, creating a fulfilling life is about mastering your emotions, with a special focus on limiting negativity and enhancing positivity. Positive thinking can change your life; great things can be accomplished with the right mindset and attitude.