Changing my mindset!

[Kal08]

Recently I have felt negative, everything made me mad or annoyed, I felt as if something was always going wrong.

I stepped back and tried to appreciate all the things that made me happy, and all the things I take for granted every day. I thought about how lucky I was in life and didnt focus on the things going wrong. Life is too short to focus on all the small things. I re prioritesed my focus and energy onto things that matter, Family, Friends, Uni, Work and things that make me happy.

What are some small (or big) things in your life you appreciate day to day that you could easily take for granted? Or what is something you take for granted that you need to appreciate more of?

Today I appreciated the smell of the fresh country air when I said goodbye to my fiance at our front door (even though it was 5am and I was tired) I also appreciated that I had I could go back inside, turn my tap on, fill up my kettle and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.

xxx

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Kal08,

Ohh gratitude is such a big one, great post!

I actually keep a little notebook and write down all the things I'm grateful or or good stuff that's happened that day - even if I don't write in it everyday it's great to look back over it.

One of the things I used to take for granted was going out;- things like driving, going to shopping centres, the cinema and public transport. Before I started having seizures I took that for granted and now I'm incredibly grateful for when I can go out and have a seizure-free day.

Hm, what else - things like having dial up when I was a kid and now having fast internet (so great), being able to text my friend when she's so far away, air-conditioning on ridiculously hot days, good books, chocolate and my little dog.

Oh - if you ever get stuck here's a great website (and book/s!) - http://1000awesomethings.com/

[PatT]

Hi Kal,

This is something I identify with so much. I've always had to reel myself in and evaluate how good I have it in my life sometimes. For example, I come from great parents, have a great girlfriend and a loving household with friends but I often get so fixated on the most mundane thing like "I can't find my wallet in time to make my train and half my day is ruined." It's so frustrating.

That sense of being properly grounded and appreciating the best things in life is something so elusive to me but once every now and again presents itself in the most sublime moments. I envy those who can constantly appreciate it and I think to be able to do so it is such a valuable component of being mentally healthy.

[Kal08]

Pat, I was exactly the same! I found if I couldnt do something it would irritate me or if friends flaked at the last minute I would be annoyed for most of the day sometimes even sulk! It is ridiculous.

Making sure you appreciate things is also hard, for me sometimes it doesn't come naturally. I made sure I started off by just making sure I thanked people when I needed and not saying sorry all the time when I actually should thank people - example, I was late to meeting up with a friend and instead of putting myself down by saying sorry im always late I said thank you so much for waiting 🙂

As well as trying to be grateful for the small things day to day