I recently posted a selfie on social media and captioned it "Staying in my element. Not stressing all of this BS around me." I had some comments and even people reach out directly and ask "How do you do that?!" And so, the idea for this blog was born.... :)
Why is it that some people approach life with optimism and endless motivation, while others seem to have the black cloud following them around (think Linus from the Peanuts). Is it something they are born with? The cards they have been dealt? How do some people always seem to have positive energy, and some people's black cloud continues to grow? And more importantly, how do you avoid getting sucked into someone else's negative energy?!
I am a big "energy" person. It is one of the first things I notice about someone. I am either drawn to someone , or repelled by their energy. I know, I know, it can sound very "out there" to talk about people's energy and vibes, but for me it's very real. I usually pick up on a person's energy immediately, and in order to keep my energy positive, I choose to surround myself with people who radiate positive energy. I am very focused on protecting my energy and not letting people who are negative and always complaining rain on my parade.
So maybe you agree, but now the question is HOW? How do you protect your energy and keep #positivevibesonly?
First, become aware of your feelings and thoughts throughout the day. When do you feel happy, optimistic, joyful? What are you doing? Who is around you? Now, when do you feel anxious, stressed, upset? What are you doing and who is around you? You must make a conscious effort to decrease the time you spend with negative people and in negative environments. So the first step is to become self-aware, then make changes. The people you surround yourself with on a regular basis will have a big impact on your mood and the energy you give off. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with people who are inspiring and uplifting.
Second, which ties in closely with the people, is your environment. I recently moved back to Miami Beach because I realized that this is where I am happiest. Something about the year-round warm weather, the ocean, and the vibrancy of the city's culture and people put me in a good mood every day. I feel like my soul comes alive here. Now I realize that moving to a different city and state isn't an option for everyone, but I encourage you to take a look at your environment - your physical location, your job, your office (home office for many of us now), where you hang out in your free time. How does each of these areas and spaces make you feel? If you are miserable in any of these areas, what changes can you make to alter that? Again, your energy is greatly impacted by your environment so it is critical that you are creating one where you are healthy and happy.
Third, is your daily morning routine. How do you start your day? Plenty of studies have been done that show that the first 15-30 minutes of your day can set the tone for the next 24 hours. Are you being deliberate and intentional with those first waking moments? One of my 2020 goals was to start a gratitude journal. Every morning I start the day in a state of gratitude and prayer. Thanking God for another day above ground, and for the positive things and opportunities in my life. I also pray for at least 3 people specifically. You can read more about my journal and the things I capture each morning here. I then either go for a run or bike ride. I find that when I sweat first thing in the morning and get the endorphins flowing, I am in a much better mood the rest of the day. I can control what time I wake up and how much time ane energy I allocate to focus on setting the tone for the day. After that, a lot is out of my control. Focus on what you can control and make changes there.
I encourage you to sit down and review these three key areas - the people you spend the most time around, your environments, and your morning routines. What is working in your favor, and where should you make some changes so you are able to create and radiate more positive energy and optimism? We can all make excuses and blame others, but at the end of the day we are responsible for our own happiness. Life is too short to be unhappy every day, so I hope this inspires you to take inventory of your life and make changes where you can and need to.
Because we can all agree that the world could use more positive energy and positive vibes!! :)
Xo,
Holly B.