Positive thinking, yo, it’s like trying to convince my brain to stop spiraling while I’m stuck in my freezing Philly apartment, the radiator hissing like it’s possessed. I’m sitting here, wrapped in a hoodie that smells like yesterday’s tacos, staring at my phone, X open, doomscrolling at 1 a.m. Last week, I legit dropped my phone in my cereal trying to “manifest” a good vibe—milk everywhere, total disaster. Positive thinking for beginners? It’s been like teaching my grumpy cat to fetch. I ain’t perfect, but I’ve stumbled through enough to share my hot mess of a journey with you.
My First Clumsy Try at an Upbeat Mindset
So, I started this whole positive thinking thing last fall, when Philly’s drizzle felt like it was drowning my soul. I was broke, eating dollar store mac and cheese, and my job search was a dumpster fire. My cousin sent me a link to The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale (grab it here), and I was like, “Pfft, what’s this boomer nonsense?” But, like, I was desperate, so I cracked it open on my lumpy couch, the room smelling like burnt popcorn from my roommate’s microwave fail. It was cheesy, but it got me thinking—maybe I could trick my brain into not hating everything?
Here’s what I tried, and, uh, half-assed:
- Morning affirmations: Muttered “You got this, dummy” to my foggy bathroom mirror, feeling like a total goof.
- Gratitude journaling: Jotted down stuff like “didn’t trip on the stairs today” in a cheap notebook.
- Breathing exercises: Inhaled for four, exhaled for six, while my cat glared like I was betraying her.
I forgot half the time, and my notebook’s mostly doodles now. But, real talk, even my sloppy attempts at optimism started shifting stuff. Like, I noticed the way the sun hit the Schuylkill River on my walk, instead of just cursing the wind freezing my ears off.
Screw-Ups and Weird Wins with Staying Positive
Okay, I gotta be real—positive thinking for beginners isn’t all glitter and good vibes. I tried hyping myself up for a job interview, chanting “I’m a freaking superstar” in my head, only to spill coffee on my shirt right before walking in. Looked like a toddler dressed me. But, get this: I laughed it off, told the interviewer about my coffee disaster, and somehow snagged the job. That’s the thing about an upbeat mindset—it’s not about being flawless; it’s about shrugging off the chaos.
My biggest flop? Thinking I could just “stay positive” and ignore my problems. Like, I’d mutter “It’s all good!” while my bank account screamed “Eviction notice incoming!” Didn’t work. I read this Psychology Today piece (check it here) that said positive thinking needs action to back it up. So, I started small: paid one bill, wrote one gratitude note, took one walk. Tiny wins, y’all, they add up. Suddenly, I wasn’t just surviving—I was kinda thriving.
My Messy Steps for Positive Thinking Newbies
Here’s my no-BS guide to Positive thinking for beginners, straight from my chaotic life in the US. It’s what’s worked for me, flaws and all:
Step 1: Start Tiny with Hopeful Vibes
Don’t try to be a positivity guru overnight. Pick one small thing. For me, it was the smell of fresh pretzels from the food truck down the street. Write it down, say it out loud, whatever works. Just find one thing that doesn’t make you wanna yeet your phone.
Step 2: Hype Yourself Up Like a Friend
I stand in my cramped bathroom, mirror steamed up, and tell myself, “Yo, you’re not a complete disaster.” Sounds dumb, but it plants a seed. There’s this TED Talk by Amy Cuddy on confidence and body language (watch it here)—it’s all about faking it till you make it, and it’s legit.
Step 3: Expect to Mess Up (A Lot)
You’re gonna forget to stay Positive. I did, like, yesterday when I cussed out my Wi-Fi for dropping. It’s cool. Laugh it off, try again. Progress, not perfection, ya know?
Step 4: Lean on Your People
I text my cousin when I’m spiraling, and she’s like, “Chill, you’re doing better than you think.” Find your hype squad. Or check out Greater Good Magazine for community support ideas (link here).
Why an Upbeat Mindset Is Worth the Chaos
Positive thinking for beginners doesn’t mean ignoring life’s garbage. It’s about finding a flicker of hope, like spotting a neon sign through Philly’s fog. I’m still a mess—spilled coffee on my jeans this morning, forgot my affirmations, whatever. But I’m learning to laugh at the chaos and keep moving. My advice? Try it, screw it up, try again. You’ll figure it out, I swear.
