Cultivating a Positive Mindset!
May 27, 2025
by Morayma MaKay
Writer / Blogger & Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator.
“Why it matters and how to get started.”
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Let’s face it…life gets messy. There are good days, bad days, and the occasional “nothing-is-going-right” kind of day. Those emotional rollercoasters are inevitable, and while we can’t control every curveball life throws at us, we can control how we respond. That’s where mindset comes in.
Cultivating a positive mindset isn’t about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to focus on what you can control, finding meaning in setbacks, and believing in your ability to grow despite the challengers…and here’s the best part: a positive mindset can actually change your brain and your life. Here’s how!
The Science Behind Positive Thinking
Positive thinking isn’t just feel-good fluff. Research in psychology and neuroscience backs it up in several ways. Neuroplasticity shows that our brains can rewire themselves based on our thoughts and experiences. The more you practice positivity, the more your brain strengthens those optimistic pathways. Studies from the Mayo Clinic and Harvard have also found that people with a more positive outlook are at lower risk for heart disease, depression, and even cognitive decline. Proof in point… mindset doesn’t just influence how you feel about life, it influences how you live it.
How to Start Cultivating a Positive Mindset
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to start thinking more positively. Small, actionable daily shifts can add up to big changes over time. Here are a few approachable ways to get started:
-Surround Yourself with Positivity: You become like the people and energy you spend time with (our parents were right about this!). Seek out uplifting conversations, inspiring content (music, books, films), or people who lift you up. That doesn’t mean avoiding hard truth, but it does entail choosing environments that support your growth.
-Reframe the Narrative: Instead of telling yourself “I can’t handle this,” try replacing it with “This is tough, but I’m doing my best.” Reframing your thoughts doesn’t deny reality, but it can help you shift from feeling stuck to feeling empowered.
-Celebrate Small Wins: We often wait for big achievements to celebrate, but noticing and appreciating small victories (like getting through a busy day or finally sending that email) reinforces a sense of progress and capability. Celebrate the small stuff as often as you can!
-Limit Negative Input: Be mindful of how much news, social media, or toxic content you consume. This can be tricky with the fact that we carry small screens with us round the clock, but taking breaks or curating your feeds to include more uplifting content can make a big difference in your mental space.
Why a Positive Mindset is Life-Changing
A positive mindset doesn’t make problems disappear, but it does change how you approach them. It improves resilience, helps you manage stress better, and opens up more possibilities in life. You’ll find yourself more motivated, more connected to others, and more able to navigate challenges without feeling defeated, and perhaps most importantly, a positive mindset allows you to experience more joy. Not because life is perfect, but because you’re present enough to notice the good that’s already here, even if on some days those good things may seem really small or unimportant, and remember: you have the power to shape the way you experience the world…one thought at a time.
