Why is it hard for us to think positively and be optimistic?Why do we unconsciously opt for negative thinking?

Answer 1

Unless a person has a chemical imbalance, it's no harder to think positively than it is to think negatively. It is a choice and therefore not unconscious, though we may habitually do it so quickly that it appears to be unconscious. Stinking thinking is manageable, controllable, and we can train ourselves out of it.

Answer 2

The question should read "Why do 'I' opt for negative thinking?" because not all of us do.

Unlike above, it is NOT human nature to automatically no matter what think negative. I'm a very positive person, and tend to almost always look into the future with optimism. Nothing crazy optimism but just small little things.

If you can see the small things in your life with optimism like "I'll get that job" or "She likes me" then your naturally optimistic.

I do have to agree though that some people think negatively simply because it's easier. It's easier to get into a negative state of mind and STAY there. It's easy to get into an optimistic state of mind as well, just staying there is very hard.

Answer 3

that depends on the person. I hardly ever think negative. Even in the worst possible situation, I think it has to happen for a reason and go on.

For instance (this is true). I was driving to North Carolina (we live in Missouri) with my kids last summer. I had no insurance and very little money. My boyfiend told me not to go, but we did. 5 hours later we wrecked in Indiana right before the Kentucky border. Car was totaled. . Many people stopped and helped. But we were all fine.

This turned out to be a good thing. Why, a very nice truck driver gave us a ride all the way home. (we still talk everynow and then) I got a new car, with insurance, and everyone was safe. Not to mention I found out how much my family means to me. Discovered the word isn't so bad. There are some nice people still around.

Answer 4

Our thought patterns are influenced by our life experiences. And because we tend to dwell longer on negative experiences, it follows that we would think that we have much more negative in our lives than positive. So then, if we take a look at our lives, in retrospect, we see far more negative than positive...and so we will look forward with that experience.

Having said that, I do truly believe that it is just as easy to be positive and optimistic as it is to be negative. It takes just as much time and energy to put on a happy face and think positive thoughts as it does to put on a frown and think negative ones. And amazingly, with a positive attitude, you will be amazed at the number of positive things that come your way each and every day...things that you would not have noticed with a negative attitude. The smile from a stranger, the simple act of kindness that was shown you...all those things would have been lost if a person was walking around in a cloud of negativity.

Its all about attitude, my friend. And the desire for happiness in one's life. Fake it til you make it...and once you make it...make it a lifestyle choice. With positivity...you can make your dreams come true!

Answer 5

That all depends on your make up. I personally, like to think I'm a positive person and enjoy being around positive people, it has a boosting and reasurring affect on me. Negative people, I avoid, so I tend to think that if you are a negative type, then just maybe you are only attracting negative people around you so you will always find it hard to be positive. Have a hard look at the people you mix with and maybe change a few.

Answer 6

We are products of our environment. Unfortunately, there is quite a bit of negative energy everywhere, we are soaked in it. Therefor, we must make the conscience attempt to remain positive.

But, it gets easier when you surround yourself with positive people, situations and things.

Answer 7

It's a trained response from early in life.
Early on, we look forward to the good things but they never seem to happen.
Later, we learn that it's easier to just expect the worst and hope for the better.

Answer 8

Sometimes people are afraid of discovering their own personal limitations so they resort to a pessimistic viewpoint. In other words, fear of failure is a big attitude adjuster. If people beleive they will fail, then it will most likely happen. taking a positive viewpoint of life would allow us to confront our fears, take risks, and live life uninhibited and that scares a lot of people.

Answer 9

You would be surprised how many of us really are optimistic. I think one of the blocks to optimism is the culture around us who bombards us with bad news, lyrics to songs that produce rage and meloncholy,the advertisers who tell us we cannot be happy without their product.

Answer 10

It is not so hard, of shall we say difficult to think positively. You are alive and the Sun is shining. God has given us a Savior, It is going to be a good day.