how to think positively? how come I can never..?

Question

It seems like each time I tell people that I'm depressed or anxious about my future or grades in school..people always advise me to think positively..okay, that is so easy for them to say..but it's so hard for me to think positively!! I try, but negative thoughts keep attiacking me..they wont leave me alone.

How can I think positively? explain the process please...thank you.

Answer 1

it is not easy to do this. Negative thought are not always a bad thing, they keep us out of trouble, but they can also prevent us from enjoying life to the fullest. If you are concerned about your grades, good for you because that means you care and already you are much further ahead than most people. The best way to defeat the negative thoughts is by really committing yourself to the course you are in, study it until you develop a mental picture of how it works, don't be satisfied with memorizing useless facts. On a particularly difficult course, I resorted to taking the text book and writing it out word for word, actually several ties because when you write stuff it somehow cements it into your brain in a way that it will stay their. Not saying to write out the entire text, but certainly the passages you cannot comprehend, however long they might be. When you reach the point where you KNOW the stuff, there is no room for doubt. Good Luck

Answer 2

there isnt a process to thinking positively, its just ignoring everything that hurts so nothing can knock you down. Thinking positively doesnt help anyways when youre depressed because you start to feel numb after a while and that might make you want to resort to other things to make you feel.. believe me. Try thinking about all the positive influences in your life. If that doesnt help then do things that you enjoy to keep you busy so you dont have time to think about how much stuff sucks. If that doesnt work then make up a happy place in your head where things are good, or bad so you can be the hero. Its tiny things like that that helps a person to think positively, not a process..you have to find what works. Hope that helped

Answer 3

Don't you hate it when people tell you to think positive? Or, when someone tells me it takes more mussels to frown than to smile, I always tell them I am exercising those mussels not often used.

On the serious side, it seems as though you have much on your mind and have put a lot of pressure on yourself regarding grades. Perhaps if you ease up on yourself, you won't be as depressed.

As a bit of advice based on experience. Don't tell others you are depressed because you'll always get the same response and told to "think positive" or "to smile". Many people do not understand depression and what causes it. Consequently, you are always subjected to their judgments when they have absolutely no idea how you are feeling or the causes of depression. The end result will be your feeling worse instead of better because you will be beating up on yourself.

Perhaps if you get some regular exercise for at least 30-45 minutes a day your depressed feelings may go away. Also, be kind to yourself. Reward/pamper yourself for the good things you did each day.

If all else fails, see a counselor to help you through the underlying problems. Be Happy!!!

Answer 4

It has to be done consciously, therefore whenever you have a negative thought drive it away like it is a real person bothering you. say in your mind "I choose not to think that, then take a deep breath and say out loud (if you can) the positive version of the thought you just drove off. This will take time, but this is a learned behaviour which needs attention to change. GOOD LUCK, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Answer 5

Oh dear don't worry sometimes in peoples lives people do get like this and life can seem one whole struggle because of the thoughts that you dont want to be there, These negative thoughts must bug you but when thinking positively it takes a hell of a lot of willpower to make these thoughts seem more realistic, there are lots of ways you can start to feel better and there are many ways you can seem to help yourself to acheiving " peace of mind ", When a anxious or negative thought that you can recognise as anxiety comes into your brain, Think it and say it outloud [Maybe on your own] then say to yourself a counteraction thought this such as " My futre is bleak " CONVERTED " My futre holds all That I make it " This is the power of positive thinking and it can make you feel a whole of a lot better but as you said you try to think positively but the thoughts seem to be dismissed, WHen you find yourself dismissing them just keep on thinking them even if your mind says to not then it shows you can keep on doing this Try to think about what goes right in your life and not what goes right Hope this helps ;]

Answer 6

Everyone likes to feel in control of their life, but the reality is none of us really are for most of the time. whether that be sitting for exams, or being employed by a company, we rely on others. Negative thoughts are normal and is the bodys way, of dealing with possible failure. So that it will niot be such a let down if you do fail.
In the case of exams. They are no big deal because if you fail them you can take them again or choose a different course,
Your mental health is important and if you feel overwhelmed, you might make an appointment to discuss how you feel with your g.p. for reassurance,

Answer 7

You must get spirituality for this is why you are lost! You have not even begin to explore those things which makes you clear, meaning you have no control over things also you are a part of all things and you must then know that something greater than yourself is sufficient to handle all things and is the decider not you. Once you seek and learn wisdom and find some of it then you shall also know all is fine, The reason for this is what shall be will be and there is nothing no one can do about it!
why worry about the future you know not nothing of my friend you suffer from stinking thinking!

Answer 8

Don't resist negative or uncomfortable thoughts. Accept them, and ignore them and they will go away, any pushing against will cause them to immediately return, so really practice ignoring them, letting them exist and ignoring them. Never push against or try to prevent them. Let the thoughts do what they will and you focus yourself on positivity. If a negative thought comes say, Ok you can be there, but I don't have to focus on you. And continue leaving the thought where it is and letting it do as it will. In time, with concentration, you're thoughts will eventually say fine, I'm not going to even bother coming around if you're not going to speak , react, or respond to me. And You'll be free.

Answer 9

THINK POSITIVELY is just a phrase people use when they don't know what to tell you. You don't have to think positively, thinking about the bad thing that can happen makes you prepared. But don't over do it ...
The next time someone tells you to think positively ask him to explain what he means with that, and if he can't...well...

Answer 10

seriously there really isn't anything to be depressed about your in school you'll have the opportunity to make something of your life, you should be thankful a lot of people have it way worse off than you do... so i'd say whenever you are thinking negatively just think about people over fighting in the war of starving poor people living on the streets or kids in Africa dying of starvation and a.i.d.s, just be thankful your not one of them... people are just board with there lives so they create problems and drama to give themselves something to do...