I’m pretty “allergic” to empty, cliché inspirational talk. You know the type—standing in front of a mirror, pointing at yourself, and shouting affirmations like, “I am amazing” or “The universe is on my side.” Maybe that works for some people, but it doesn’t work for me. It doesn’t make me feel more positive; it just makes me more tired from the strain of “pretending to be okay.”
After years of self-observation, I’ve realized a simple truth: a positive outlook and lasting energy don’t come from “trying to think positively.” They come from living consciously with what you actually achieve every day. These three habits aren’t based on blind faith; they are based on human nature and enough personal experience to make me believe: they truly have the power to heal.
Table of Contents
1. Collecting “Tiny Wins”
Every day, I do something very simple: I record every good thing I’ve done. It doesn’t have to be grand:
- Worked out today $\rightarrow$ one tally mark.
- Read a few pages $\rightarrow$ one tally mark.
- Ate more greens, drank enough water, went to bed on time $\rightarrow$ another tally mark.
At first, these marks look ordinary. But over time, they grow thick, clear, and consistent. Eventually, I realized that what I’m holding isn’t just a few scattered habits—it’s living proof of how seriously I’ve taken my life.
I have hundreds of days of taking care of my body and hundreds of hours of building my knowledge. I don’t need anyone to praise me; just looking back at those marks brings a sense of peace. It’s a quiet but deeply profound sense of pride. It reminds me that I am truly “living,” and from that, positive energy flows naturally without any force.
2. Talking to Myself
Whatever happens—whether it’s a small joy or a lingering sadness—I choose to have a dialogue with myself. When I argue with my partner, when I’m tired from pressure, or when I fail at something that seemed simple… I open my notebook and write. I ask questions and find the answers myself:
- Why does this hurt me so much?
- What can I do differently next time?
When you do this regularly, you realize: life feels less chaotic not because there are fewer problems, but because every knot is untied while it’s still small. I don’t let emotions pile up until they explode. I look them in the eye the moment they sprout. Positivity, after all, doesn’t come from everything being perfect; it comes from no longer running away from yourself.
“True positivity isn’t about denying pain; it’s about being brave enough to sit down and understand it.”
3. Intentional Leisure – Feeling the Pulse of Life
Every day, I set aside 1–2 hours for entertainment. But it must be intentional leisure.
- If I watch a movie, I turn off my phone to live alongside the characters.
- If I grab coffee with friends, I listen to them instead of letting my mind drift back to work—and of course, I don’t use my phone.
- If I travel, I use my eyes to experience the moment rather than staying busy taking photos to prove to the world that I’m having fun.
Many people have everything they need to enjoy life, yet they don’t feel happy. That’s because their attention is always fragmented; they are always “halfway” present in their own moments. Superficial entertainment doesn’t recharge your battery; it just drains you further. When I learned how to enjoy things properly, I found that every day sparkles with joy, even when the external pressures are still there.
These three habits don’t make life’s difficulties disappear, but they make me steadier as I walk through the tough days without being depleted. Positivity isn’t dreaming that everything will be fine. Positivity is when you look back and know you are living a life of value. Energy isn’t about being “pumped up” all the time. Energy is when you understand yourself, accept yourself, and still choose to keep moving forward.
Before you wait for the universe to support you, just make sure that every day, you don’t turn your back on yourself. That is enough.
Out of these three habits, which one do you feel you need to start right now? Or do you have another small “ritual” to keep your soul from getting lost in the chaos? Share it so we can spread real, substantial values for living!
