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We’ve all had this problem. It might be a coworker, a friend, a family member, or an acquaintance. Whomever it is, they are constantly (or often) negative and complaining. They bring you down to their level so you’re miserable and complaining too. Before you know it, you’re that negative person bringing others down. This is especially not fun when you are trying to stay positive about a situation. In this post, I’ll be giving you a few ideas on how to stay positive when others are negative, no matter how hard it may seem.
As a teacher, I’ve noticed how other teachers in this profession can be jaded and negative. They think testing is unfair, the students aren’t prepared enough, the school is putting too many programs on us, etc. Guess what? There are negatives to every profession. On the same note, there are also positives to every profession. The key is to see past the negatives to focus on the positives.
How I Stay Positive
I avoid the negative people. This is the most simple and obvious solution to staying positive when others are negative, but it can also be hard. You can’t avoid everyone forever.
I take a step back and say something positive to counteract their negativity. If someone is complaining, sometimes all it takes to get them to stop and re-evaluate their feelings is to say something positive about what they’re complaining about. For example, if they are complaining about a person you both know, go ahead and tell a funny and positive story about that person instead!
I remember that I am in charge of my feelings. This is something I’ve really been focusing on this past year. I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and habit one is Be Proactive which means being in charge of you. This has really changed my perspective. No one can make you feel any certain way. You are the only one who can control how you feel. So don’t let a negative person control you or make you feel down. By the way, I definitely recommend reading Stephen Covey’s “The 7 habits of Highly Effective People” which you can find on Amazon.
I will find a friend to confide in. This is someone whom you trust and you think shares similar ideals with you. Come up with a plan together on avoiding the negative person, or maybe work together to confront them. You will feel more confident once someone else knows.
I can confront the negative person. I won’t lie, this is my least favorite thing to do. I’m just not a confrontational person. If you are, great, skip right to this! Sometimes, when you confront them, they won’t even have realized they were being negative. They just needed someone to vent to and get their opinions out. You could just say “Hey, sometimes you talk negatively, and it’s getting difficult for me to stay positive.” Seems so easy, but I get it, it’s hard and unpleasant.
So, remember, you are in charge of your attitudes and feelings. Maybe after speaking to or confronting someone negative, you might need a little self-care. That’s perfectly okay! You are entitled to your feelings, but don’t let others constantly bring you down and make you negative. Stay positive!
What are some ways you stay positive when others are negative?
