The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Instead of answering this month’s question, which is an AI question, I queried a writer friend and asked, What would you most like to read about in a blog right now? Her response was, “Staying Positive.”
How to Stay Positive
As writers, when the world’s toxicity seeps into our homes, our thoughts, and feelings, writing can become more difficult. It’s harder to concentrate, to focus.
So, what can you do to stay more positive?
- Take a shower. Let the toxicity go down the drain!
- Create a playlist that lifts your spirits and matches the mood of your current work in progress and play it when writing.
- Take a walk in nature. Listen to the sounds, become one with nature.
- List things you’re grateful for every day.
- Start a positivity diary. List of all the good things that have ever happened in your life. Keep that list handy and keep adding to it. Refer to it as needed.
- Don’t drink. Alcohol is a depressant.
- Journal. Write your feelings out on paper. It’s about opening the dam of feelings and thoughts, venting on paper. Afterward, burn it, shred it, or tear into tiny pieces and flush down the toilet. Or, save it, and give those feelings to a character!
- Stop worrying—99% of what we worry about never comes to pass.
- When tired, take a nap or take a break.
- Do something different.
- Find a way to laugh. Start saving funny videos. Follow those people! Watch a comedy series or a funny movie.
- Do a search for flash mob dances or orchestras on social media.
- Dance! Alone for the length of a song.
- Blow up an imaginary balloon, blowing your feelings, thoughts, and problems into the balloon. Then, release it to the Universe. Imagine yourself outside, seeing it rise above the houses and disappear into the clouds.
- Perform some self-talk.
- Plant something. Get your hands into the soil.
- Go to a playground and swing or play in the sandbox.
- Spend time with people who make you laugh, with whom you feel good about yourself when you leave their company.
- Put positive affirmations on your bathroom mirror, at your desk, or in other places that you frequent and will see often. Change them up as needed.
- Give someone a compliment.
- Don’t take things personally.
- Drive a new route home.
- Buy yourself some flowers.
- Do something differently. Drive a different route, go into an unknown store.
- Eat out alone with a book. Enjoy your own company.
- List goals you want to achieve. Break down a goal into manageable chunks—something you can do in 10 or 15 minutes. As you achieve them, cross them off!
- Remove the triggers!
One of the best things I did to stay positive was to remove anything in my home that triggered me, immediately taking me back to a toxic event or conversation, which I started reliving, noticing my feelings and thoughts became a downward toxic spiral. Even though I had reconciled or had moved past it! Those triggers included clothing, knickknacks, furniture, and especially photographs.
Staying positive requires action on your part.
We are what we say, what we think, and what we DO!
*****
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers. This group is all about connecting!
Behind the Scenes with Diana Stout, MFA, PhD 
Some really great ideas, Diana! I have practiced gratitude and that has helped me to be thankful for the good and even little things in my life. For anyone with pets, they keep us motivated and moving, because you can’t ignore them, and if you give them a chance they’ll lift your spirits or at least get you out of your own head, lol! Thanks for the helpful tips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooh, I totally forgot about pets! You can always offer to walk someone else’s dog for them! Thanks for visiting, Lucy.
LikeLike
Number Four, is the secret to a happy life, rohn
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most certainly! Thanks for visiting, Rohn.
LikeLike
These are great tips, Diana. I have been practicing being grateful for quite some time, and it’s really helped me stay positive. I think of at least three things I’m grateful for when I wake up and go to sleep at night.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a great habit to have. Thanks for commenting, Natalie!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this list. Number four, definitely.
I must be good at faking – stunned when a close friend said I’m always so glass half full. How to remove all those toxic reminders, far too many of them ? As for AI ? Not head of my anxiety list – yet.
Intelligence, not artificial, a tool, not an enemy, can’t think or feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting how some see a half glass as empty and others see it as full. Removing those triggers in the beginning was hard because they WERE memories, but the feeling of freedom once they were out of the house led me to remove more with eagerness. It’s wonderful to be free of being dragged into the past! Thanks for commenting, Esther.
LikeLike
Planting green things and taking a walk are my big go to things that I don’t go to often enough. Sometimes just sitting out on the patio with the cats for a half hour break makes life’s annoyances easier to return to.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oooo, another great tip–just sitting and enjoying or even meditation. Thanks for visiting, Nancy.
LikeLike
A great topic as we go into SAD season.
For me, the two best ways to get into being more positive are to get some sunlight and get some exercise. Every ill is hyper-focused this time of year as the days get shorter and access to vitamin D lowers. I also find that if I practice mindfulness during these moments it helps remove any toxic thoughts about the past or future. It’s hard to feel anything but joy as I watch the sunrise during my morning walk and during my swims if I focus on my strength as I pull myself through the water I cannot let the world feel like it will crush me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Heidi, for sharing more tips on how to stay positive. Great information!
LikeLiked by 1 person