Easy Ways to Cultivate More Optimism

Have you ever wanted to bring more hope into your life, but you're not exactly sure how? Does the sound of the word "optimism" make you cringe?

Being optimistic doesn't mean you are unaware of injustice or difficulty. Rather, it means that you feel empowered to follow your heart and contribute to the world around you in a positive way. Even though hardship is an inevitable part of life, there are plenty of ways to bring more hope into your field of view.

Practice Daily Gratitude

Start with something simple: gratitude. Write down five things you are grateful for at the end of each day. This will only take a minute or two.

With time, you will effortlessly notice more blessings than you can count. Perhaps the little things will stand out more. Maybe you will catch yourself appreciating life even when you're on the go or feeling low.

When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we suddenly orient ourselves toward joy, acceptance, and harmony. Create your own gratitude practice and watch how it changes your outlook.

Set Realistic Goals

Often, we lose sight of what we care about because we're distracted––by other people, by our jobs, by technology, and so on. Our wants and needs may even be drowned out by our own internal dialogue. It's easy to compare ourselves to others and feel discouraged as a result.

Want to know how to work on yourself without all that negativity? Set relevant, achievable goals. Don't let anyone else dictate the parameters of your accomplishments; decide what's truly meaningful to you and allow yourself to get there on your own terms.

As you find yourself crossing the finish line more frequently, you will gain the confidence and optimism to keep working toward your goals.

Follow Inspiring People

Role models are like the guardians of your dreams. When you surround yourself with people who inspire you, their positive reinforcement can lift you out of any rut.

Even if you don't know what you want out of life just yet, finding a role model might clarify what's important to you. They can offer practical advice, describe the beauty of their success in detail, and point you in the right direction.

Look out for those moments of inspiration when you hear other people tell their stories. Don't hesitate to ask if they are willing to share their wisdom and grounded optimism with you.

Disregard Any Limitations

What you pay attention to will grow. This is true for relationships, house plants, and personal perspectives. You've got to give the love to feel the love!

If you concentrate on what you can do rather than what you can't, you are more likely to feel hopeful and capable of success. You only need to emphasize what's in your power. Set aside any limitations you may be facing and pursue the opportunities that are right in front of you.

Serve Your Community

There's nothing more uplifting than community involvement. Offering your time, energy, and skills to make the world a better place is bound to give you more hope.

Being around other compassionate people will remind you of your own capacity for kindness. Even when a situation seems bleak, there is so much purpose to be found in a collective effort to solve problems.

Coming together over nutritious food, providing assistance to senior citizens, cleaning up your local watershed, teaching children to read, or designing a colorful mural are just a few ideas for community service that you may be interested in. Though it might seem intimidating at first, you will definitely feel welcomed and empowered if you put yourself out there.

Optimism is not simply a buzzword or an unattainable ideal. It is like a snowball that builds upon itself with momentum, or a flower that blossoms with enough light. Figure out what makes you feel good and keep doing it! Gratitude, kindness, and supportive relationships will help you along the way.