Positive thinking is life-changing. We know that. But how can we do it? Our negative thoughts take up all the space, and no matter how much we want to get rid of them, we find it hard to do so. That’s why I’m sharing with you 6 tips to say stop to negative thoughts.

1 – Think positively: negative thoughts are normal

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that it’s normal to have negative thoughts, and that even if we learn to think positively, we’ll continue to have negative thoughts. They’ll be fewer in number and, above all, less virulent, but they’ll still be there.

But they’ll still be there. Why? Because that’s the way our mind is wired. Its job is to spot the negative and shove it under our noses. Indeed, for it, the negative is dangerous, and so it’s its duty to warn us.

In other words, our mind judges, compares, imagines and projects the negative over and over again.

So, how can we think positively with this very negative mind (laughs)?

Quite simply by accepting that we have negative thoughts, and then taking care to nourish ourselves with positive ones.

In fact, we’re going to balance the negative with the positive.

It’s a habit to get into. A habit that will change your life!

2 – Getting back to what’s most important

When we have negative thoughts that make us doubt the beauty and sweetness of life, it’s high time to get back to what’s most important.

Indeed, our negative thoughts always go into detail. They look for the smallest grain of sand that can jam the whole machine. That misstep, that mistake, that misfortune that will ruin everything in our lives.

That’s why, when you notice that you’re turning a little doubt or fear into a mountain, take a breath and get back to basics.

In fact, ask yourself: what’s most important to me right now?

Being happy, surely? So why torture yourself with negative thoughts about a hypothetical future?

Thinking positively is above all about stepping back, taking a step to the side. Ultimately, it’s about realizing that we’re wasting our present happiness on thoughts that imagine a horrible future that won’t even happen.

In concrete terms, this means that every time you imagine that at that next party where you don’t know anyone, you’re going to make a fool of yourself, nobody’s going to like you, you’re going to be bored to death… STOP!

Take a breath and ask yourself: what’s most important to me right now?

To be happy? Then stop listening to your thoughts and do something that makes you smile and distracts you from your thoughts.

3 – Think positively: ask yourself what can go right

Thinking positively means changing your mindset. Instead of trying to imagine everything that could go wrong, it means imagining everything that could go right.

In fact, it’s to stop letting our minds, whose job it is to imagine the worst, take over.

In concrete terms, this means taking a moment to breathe and letting your heart do the talking. What does it imagine to be good? Something beautiful and good?

So invite joy, curiosity, kindness and hope, and imagine what good can happen.

It’s in your power.

And, whenever your thoughts turn negative, take a breath and go back to listing all the things that can go right.

4 – Visualize and think positively

Positive thinking is a good habit to get into. To do this, I wholeheartedly invite you to take some time to visualize things in a positive way.

In concrete terms, sit down in a place you like and visualize the situation that is causing you to harbor negative thoughts at the moment.

Breathe and decide to visualize a positive projection.

Imagine that things are going well. Imagine yourself: what are you doing? What posture are you in? What are you saying? How are you feeling?

Visualize as many times as necessary until your mind believes it! Let it become your ally and stop being overwhelmed by negative thoughts.

5 – Time to talk as if to a friend

Positive thinking means no longer allowing ourselves to be fooled by our negative thoughts. In fact, it means no longer believing that they are the absolute truth.

In fact, the problem isn’t our negative thoughts, which come and go automatically. The problem is that we never question them; we think they’re true.

And we’re wrong.

Because, most of the time, our negative thoughts don’t come true, and that’s just as well. Because we have an overflowing imagination when it comes to negative, pessimistic scenarios (laughs).

So, how do we think positively?

To do so, I wholeheartedly invite you to adopt another good habit: that of talking to yourself as if you were a friend.

In other words, when your negative thoughts consume you, take a moment to isolate yourself and sit down. Breathe calmly and imagine that what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, is happening to a friend of yours. So what would you say to your friend who’s suffering from the same negative thoughts? What would you say to reassure and encourage them?

Write these words on a piece of paper and then read them again in the first person singular. Say those kind words to yourself that you’d say to a friend you love, but don’t know how to say to yourself.

In fact, thinking positively means knowing how to reassure and encourage yourself. It’s about questioning your negative thoughts and replacing them with words of hope, confidence and love.

6 – Think positively: list the positives in your life

By dint of negative thinking, we come to doubt everything – ourselves, others and our lives too.

In fact, we become contaminated by the negative, and this prevents us from having a calm outlook on everything else.

That’s why, to think positively, I wholeheartedly invite you to do an exercise that will change your life.

I invite you to make a list of all the good things that have already happened in your life, all the nice surprises, all the successes, all the beautiful people you’ve met.

List all the positive things in your life.

Don’t stop, list everything! Feed on the positive.

Go back, even to childhood.

Because our minds only like to remember the negative, the positive is gradually forgotten. So bring it to the surface. Let it take over and contaminate your heart, your mind, your body, everything!

Make the list now. Tomorrow morning, tomorrow noon, tomorrow evening. The day after tomorrow morning… and never stop.

Yes, positive thinking is all about remembering the good things in your life.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Change your negative thoughts: 6 positive habits
Discover How to have a positive attitude: 4 language tics to get rid of

I recommend this inspiring book:

Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life by Barbara L. Fredrickson

The author presents compelling research on the transformative power of a positive attitude. She explores the 3:1 positivity ratio and its profound impact on well-being. Through scientific insights and practical strategies, Ms. Fredrickson helps us cultivate a positive mindset, providing a roadmap for embracing optimism, resilience and a more fulfilling life.

This book brings together science and great wisdom in simple language. As you read through it, you feel as if the author is speaking directly into your eyes, into your mind and opening the doors of your heart, guiding you in the direction of becoming a positive person.
You won’t be able to resist the temptation to finish the book in one go and start working on your transformation.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself