"Enfocarse en lo negativo simplemente contribuye a su poder"

Focusing on the negative aspects of life actually makes them more powerful and more prominent in your mind. This idea isn’t just some fluffy, feel-good advice—it’s grounded in the reality of human psychology. When we constantly think about what’s going wrong or what we don’t like, we give those negative thoughts more power and influence over our emotions and behaviors.

Historically, this idea has roots in various philosophies and psychological practices. For instance, Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius emphasized the importance of controlling one’s perceptions and not letting negative thoughts dictate one's life. They understood that our thoughts shape our reality. More recently, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) also focuses on changing negative thought patterns to improve mental health.

Think about a time when you were really worried about something—maybe a job interview or a tough conversation with a friend. The more you obsessed over it, the more anxious you got, right? That's because dwelling on it amplified your anxiety. On the flip side, if you shifted your focus to preparing for the interview or thinking about the positive outcomes of the conversation, your mindset likely shifted too, and you felt more in control.

Let me tell you about a friend of mine, John. He was always fixated on his failures. Every little mistake at work would eat at him for days. One day, he missed a deadline, and instead of focusing on how to fix it, he spiraled into negative thoughts about his abilities and future. Unsurprisingly, his performance suffered because his mind was bogged down with negativity. After some nudging, he started practicing mindfulness and positive affirmations. It wasn’t an overnight change, but slowly, he started seeing his mistakes as opportunities to learn. His performance improved, and he felt more confident.

If you find yourself trapped in a loop of negative thinking, try this: when a negative thought pops up, acknowledge it, but don't dwell on it. Challenge it. Ask yourself if this thought is really true or if you're blowing things out of proportion. Then, redirect your focus to something positive or constructive. It’s like changing the channel in your brain.

Imagine you’re at a party. You’re having a good time, but then you remember a slip-up you made last week, and you start dwelling on it. Suddenly, your mood shifts, and you’re no longer enjoying the party. Now, imagine instead, you acknowledge the mistake, learn from it, and then let it go. You’d likely continue having a good time. This isn’t about ignoring problems but about not giving them more attention than they deserve.

So next time you catch yourself stuck in a negative thought loop, remember you have the power to change the channel. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about not letting the negatives control your mind. Think of your mind like a garden: what you water is what will grow. Choose to water the positive thoughts, and you’ll see a brighter outlook bloom.