How do you "always look on the bright side of life"?

Question

So I am starting to believe I am a horrible pessimist. I constantly get upset about trivial matter, agonizing for hours and sometimes days over things most people couldn't be bothered with. It is beginning to impact on my studies as I generally in such a poor mood... I would rather be sleeping, so I don't have to think anymore. Anyone have any suggestions for keeping on the bright side?

Answer 1

perhaps admitting you have a problem and calling your doctor. Sometimes you cant help but feel depressed and have anxiaty (?) It may be a chemical imbalace. Might not have anything to do with you directly.

Answer 2

Start with consistent exercise and good nutrition. When you catch yourself thinking pessimistically, stop and refocus on identifying the more positive viewpoints others might see the in same situation. Recognize when you're over analysing or dwelling on the trivial, and go do something physical to change your focus and get some natural endorphins pumping. Also, take an honest appraisal of how the people in your life treat you. Do they really listen and support you? Do they tend to minimize or dismiss your thoughts and feelings? Put you down or tease too much? If that's what you are surrounded by, reduce your time with the negative influences and start looking for more positive and caring friends. Are you more concerned about how others feel than about yourself? If so, recognize that you deserve as much attention.

Feelings are feelings and they are telling you something. Trying to feel bright and happy when you are not can turn into a way of wearing a mask and presenting someone other than your real self. That approach can lead to feeling like no one understands or likes the real you. This isn't to say that adopting a more positive perspective on life is not a really great idea; it's just to point out that if it's artificially forced, it's not a real solution.

If after a couple months you do not feel substantially better, go see a counselor or talk with a doctor. What you are describing is depression and anxiety. Everyone experiences both, but if they are taking over your life with no obvious life situation driving it, you may have a chemical imbalance that you're not going to be able to wish away. Anti-depressants shouldn't be anyone's immediate solution since they're often not necessary. But, there's no benefit to spending months in a funk that only gets worse when in reality it is caused by physiology.

Answer 3

Honestly, it sounds like you may be depressed and getting worst by the day. I suffer from depression too. My depression comes and goes, never really gets to a point where I need to visit a professional. If it's impacting your life to the point were your failing out of classes and jepardizing your relationships in a negative way then you should definantly see a professional. I don't know if your into medications, Im not but you may want to look into it. Their are some medications that I like to call "happy pills", they make you happy yea but they do not take care of the issue...which is what got you depressed in the first place. I would suggest a psychologist, they can not give you any pills and are their to help you work through your issues. Their is something deep within you causing you to be depressed and maybe talking it out might help you get out of the state of mind your in. I wish you all the luck. Take Care.

Answer 4

Ahh you seem like such a nice person. It is hard when you have lived your life so well and then find you are on the outside looking in. Hmmm, well ten percent of intelligent females do that and twenty five percent of males. It is a shame because many then move on from depression to illness and do suicide.
All I can say is accept that you are an outcast and start again. All your beliefs and expectations well learned are now proving false and our brain is going to hurt you back. Drop them and look at life and develop realistic expectations. Then find one new friend who is an outcast too and you will be happy again.

Answer 5

This is my old advice for suicidal stuff, but it can raise my heart, sometimes. Other times I'm not so sure...

http://www.mtshastasacredweddings.com/im...

Look at the picture. Look at it for a long time, and while you look, think of the picture. Think of as many good things as you can. Look at all the things you can see in the picture. Describe to yourself what you feel about each of these things. Does it make you feel happy, calm, angry, scared? Think of as many emotions as you can, and try to relate them to the picture. Personally, after I did this, I felt calm. Maybe you will too, or maybe you will feel something different.
Now, ask yourself: Is suicide really worth losing these emotions? Emotion is the construct of human life. That, my friend, is a beautiful picture, and even if you may think differently, relate this picture to every tiny, small good feeling you've ever had in your life. Think of all good feeling. Think to yourself: Oh, how lucky I am, to be able to feel emotion, and how lucky I am to be able to walk a path that swims in a thousand thoughts of good and evil. Keep relating back to the picture. This picture, and all the feelings that go with it, are life. Life, built upon calmness and chaos, upon serenity and everlasting war, is a value.

Now, look back on all this. All of this is thought. Every moment you live is thought and good life. You are fortunate, as a human being, to not only be able to live, but also be able to see and be aware that you are living. This is a wonderful gift, and if you are to choose death over your gift, you will lose this precious opportunity, this rare fortune that is your existence.

Erm... anyways... I have no idea what you're going to think of this... in fact, I sound like a therapist... but yeah.

Answer 6

That jogs my memory of a poem that a buddy wrote for me in college some years in the past now. She related it to my handball racket which I had smashed mutually as having a controversy with my then modern-day boyfriend. It went like this," once you're down and feeling blue, right here is what your temper can do for you." each and every time I appeared at that stupid racket and remembered why it have been given broken, I have been given a stable laugh out of it as quickly as I study that little poem. This it is basic to have been a stable one to stick ideal alongside with of it, i think of.

Answer 7

it's a slow process, not something you can change over night. Put a rubber band around your arm and every time you catch yourself being pessismistic, snap the crap out of it. Your mind will eventually be afraid to think negative for fear of bodily harm. Also.....just try to make a concious effort to not think about things in such a negative way. Ask for a friend to help you out.

Answer 8

The bright side of life keeps us from becoming depressed, anti-social, angry humans. Keep in mind that every day of your life is a gift. Keep in mind that there are millions of people far worse off then you. Keep in mind that you were put on this earth to make it a better place. Do one good deed per day for others and your kindnesses will come back to you tenfold!:)

Answer 9

No, but you have a deep sympathizer right here! I do the same thing! Maybe taking a deep breath, taking a breather, and doing something you truly enjoy to perk the mood back up?

Answer 10

sounds like your a perfectionist;remember there is only one you .do what has to be done & focus on the other stuff when you have the time .the best thing to do is find your happy place. the place that makes you feel tranqual,you can see it in your mind or even go there.parks,paths,zoo.its different for every one.I count my blessing every day to keep my spirts high & its because my blessings, I am happy.my happy place is my garden .