If you’ve been watching the news recently, you might think that the whole world is falling apart. You don’t have to look very far to be reminded that we have two major wars, many minor ones, trade wars, disputes amongst long-term allies, political instability and a general malaise in many parts of the world. With this perspective, the world can feel overwhelming, and keeping a positive outlook can seem like an uphill battle, particularly when bombarded with negative news. However, shifting our perspective can help us navigate challenges with more resilience and clarity which is how to stay positive in a negative world.
That said, I think it is important to remember that the term ‘negative world’ itself shows your current perspective about what is going on. If you look at things differently, you might say things like:
…”in a challenging world”, or
…”in a changing world”, or even
…”in an evolving world”, or finally
…”in an improving world”.
Can you see how changing one little word, changes your whole perspective?
Shifting your focus
Instead of dwelling on what’s going wrong, try:
- Looking for what’s going right
- Identifying lessons hidden in difficult situations – they ALWAYS exist!
- Viewing life’s challenges as opportunities for personal growth
While news can often seem brutal, remember that an enlightened perspective sees purpose in everything and approaches life with unconditional love rather than judgment. There are many times in my own life when I have succumbed to what could be called a ‘negative perspective’, but I have learned through experience that great personal growth comes out of these moments. For it is in these moments that we eventually look inwardly and seek inspiration from our Higher Selves, and this broader aspect of our souls, always knows that “everything is always working out for us”. Without these moments, we would stop asking for more, or better experiences. We would ‘settle’ and that would stagnate our growth. When we are challenged, we seek change, which propels our growth into something new and better.
The problem is that we often forget this when we are so deep in the problem. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not true and there will be a rainbow if you look for it!
The human perspective: a bigger picture
Our existence on Earth is a temporary experience, much like an actor playing a role in a film and we need to remember this and not identify with our physical reality. We are much, much more:
- Our higher selves exist beyond this physical reality and are eternal
- We choose to experience life on Earth to grow spiritually
- Life’s challenges provide valuable experiences we can’t have in the non-physical realms
Just like an actor knows their role is temporary, we can remind ourselves that our human experiences, both good and bad, are part of our much larger soul journey.
How to stay positive in a negative world
Genuine optimism vs toxic positivity
There is a difference between understanding, accepting and ultimately appreciating challenges and pretending to be happy to present a positive outlook to the world. The first is based on authentic appreciation of all things, and the second is a cover to try to fool ourselves and others.
- Toxic positivity ignores reality and dismisses negative emotions
- Genuine optimism acknowledges challenges, appreciates them as a catalyst and seeks growth opportunities as a result
I am not advocating you ‘stick your head in the sand’ here. However, instead of ignoring or bemoaning difficulties, ask yourself:
✅ “What can I learn from this”
✅ “How can I turn this situation around”
✅ “What strengths can I develop from this experience”
This shift in mindset will help you reframe the narrative from one of despair to one of possibility, and it is your way out.
The power of gratitude
If you have never undertaken a practice of gratitude, start today! Practising gratitude helps shift your focus from lack and negativity to abundance and joy.
Here are a few things that I encourage you to try:
- Keeping a gratitude journal—write down three things you’re grateful for each day
- When you wake up, and immediately before bed, take a moment to appreciate simple joys (a good cup of tea, a kind word from a stranger, your pet). Put your hand on your heart, think about what you really love about these things, and say ‘thank you’ to the universe and state why you are grateful. For example: “I’m really grateful for my beautiful cat, who gives me unconditional love every day…”
- Reflecting on the lessons in difficult situations rather than just the struggles. There is always something to learn. Think back on times that seemed rough, but you can now look back on and understand what the universe was trying to teach you. Apply that knowledge to the current situation
The science behind gratitude
Studies show that people who express gratitude regularly experience:
✔ Reduced stress and depression
✔ Better physical health
✔ Improved sleep
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means training yourself to notice the good amidst the so-called chaos.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Life’s setbacks can either break us or make us stronger Some of the most successful people in history faced repeated failures but used them as stepping stones, and you can do the same.
To transform challenges into growth:
- Adopt a growth mindset – believe that intelligence and abilities can improve with effort and intention
- Ask empowering questions – instead of “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What can I gain from this?”
- Recognise your past growth – think about times when you overcame obstacles and the strengths you developed as a result
- Meditate – sit quietly and quieten your mind to connect to who you really are and solutions will present themselves. See our article on starting meditation here
By shifting how you view your current difficulties, you can turn them into valuable learning experiences. Read more about how to start your day in a positive way here.
One of my favourite thing to do if I am feeling down is to listen to a guided meditation or some positive music. Here is one of my favourite ones on YouTube. It lasts less than 20 minutes but can really set you up for the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESZ7O3u68s
The importance of community and connection
You don’t have to face challenges alone. Building a supportive network makes it much easier to stay positive as long as you don’t succumb to moaning about how terrible your life is. This will keep you stuck in the energy of the problem, and unable to feel the energy of the solution.
Instead:
- Surround yourself with positive influences—family, friends, mentors, or support groups who will encourage positivity
- Engage in meaningful conversations—sharing struggles and successes can provide new insights but focus on what you want to achieve, NOT on justifications or backstories
- Join communities—whether online or in person, finding like-minded people can be uplifting
- Give back—volunteering can shift your focus from personal struggles to the bigger picture
Studies show that strong social connections improve both mental and physical health, reducing stress and increasing overall well-being.
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Final thoughts
Staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring reality—it means using our free will to choose to see opportunities and the best in every environment, event and person. Practise gratitude, and find support in others. Life will always present challenges, but with the right mindset, those challenges become stepping stones to growth, resilience, and a deeper connection to your Higher Self and Source Energy – which is the purpose of our human life anyway!
Related posts
How to start your day in a positive way
How to find happiness through unconditional living
Gratitude and the Law of Attraction: 3 ways to appreciate what you have
Gail, your piece really struck a chord with me. It’s remarkable how you transform the notion of a negative world into an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Your insight on reframing challenges as moments to learn, adapt, and ultimately thrive reminds me that even in our darkest times, there’s a spark of hope if we shift our perspective. I especially appreciated the emphasis on gratitude and genuine connection as tools to combat the overwhelming negativity. This article isn’t just about staying positive; it’s a call to embrace our power to choose how we see the world. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and inspiring message.
Hi Dan. Thanks for taking the time to read my article and I’m glad it made you think. There is so much so-called negativity that we subject ourselves to in everyday life, that we really do have to be mindful and conscious about what we put our focus on and the thoughts we have. You are correct in saying that this is a ‘call to embrace our power’ – YOUR power. If we can do this, the world will magically transform before our eyes. Have a wonderful day. Gail
It is true what you say. Everything that happens, good or bad, is a life lesson for us all. We make mistakes in life so that we can learn from them and improve ourselves.
I like the word “challenges” rather than using more negative words. As you say, we are only here for a short time, so we need to make the most of the time we have and try to look at everything from a more positive perspective.
Hi Michel. So pleased that you liked the article and found it a good reminder for things you already know. Deep down, at in our soul, we all know this to be true but we just forget a lot of the time. That creates the illusion of problems. Keep positive, there is so much more to be grateful for that to moan about. Have a wonderful day. Gail