Let's face it, even though I'm super excited about the new year and having a fresh start, we're all probably feeling a bit apprehensive about what this year holds in store for us. 2020 and 2021 were exactly the feel good years that we were all hoping they'd be. In fact, a lot of things about them downright stunk.
However, I always try to find the positive spin on things. Scholars say that having a positive outlook on life will help lead you to having more positive things in your life. It's the law of attraction. Attract what you want, right?
Back in January of 2018, I had the idea to start writing down one thing that was happy or positive every day. That was back when I was starting to struggle, and I wanted to remind myself that there was always something good that could be found in every day. I did pretty well overall that year. Looking back at it, it's pretty clear when things became overwhelming to me when I skipped days and months at a time.
In 2019, I tried to do it again. I didn't always write it down, and I fell out of habit. As I've mentioned, I really struggled in 2019. Eliot and I were so blessed to do so much traveling and on the outside things looked wonderful. I was officially staying at home to run our business and I had the world at my feet. But inside, I felt really empty.
In 2020, I literally wrote things down for the first eight days and that was it. I probably should have known then that the year 2020 was going to be a rollercoaster ride.
Last year, I really made an effort and rededicated myself to writing something down every day. I'm happy to report my dedication paid off... I did an entry for all 365 days.
So this year, I challenge you to do the same. Every day, write down something positive that happened in your day. It doesn't have to be anything momentous- just something good or something that made you day a little bit brighter. Studies have shown that gratitude can make people happier and healthier. Plus, if the past two years have taught us anything, it's that there's already so much negativity in the world. Why not look for the good stuff instead of the bad?
Don't stress yourself out about it. It's all about positivity. Plus, I can tell you from personal experience, it's fun to look back on them through the year. Most of my favorite entries over the past few years have been the simple ones: Visiting with family or friends, Eliot surprising me with Chipotle after work, having a snow day home with Eliot and making Belgian waffles, and seeing a Mom and baby deer in our backyard.
Doing this will help remind you to be grateful for the little things. Some days, it will be hard and you won't know what to write down. But then you'll remember that phone call with your friend, or that stranger who smiled at you, or that you enjoyed watching a cute video with animals online. I promise it will be worth it.
As the year goes on, you might just find yourself like I did last year. Instead of writing down one positive thing each day, I often found that I had to shorten thoughts just to fit everything in. My 2021 posts have gotten longer and longer until each month looks like a giant jumble of words in a lengthy paragraph of positivity.
I hope you will join me in this challenge of looking for, and remembering, the positives this year. Let's make 2022 a happy and positive one. °o°
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