It’s quite easy for me to think positively as I’m sitting on the porch in 70-degree weather in sunny Florida.
This isn’t always the case (flash forward to me arriving home in the frozen tundra of Rochester this evening).
It also isn’t the case that everything is always ideal in life. You know, there are curveballs and responsibilities and things. I have had times in my life (college) when I really focused on the negative aspects. I got stuck in feeling like a victim of life and that the world was out to get me.
It wasn’t. And I could have been a lot happier if I had learned back then how to upcycle my thoughts. Some experts will call this reframing and others call it pivoting.
Call it whatever you wish, I like the word Upcycle 🙂
Here’s an example of a negative habitual thought pattern:
I can’t believe I have to go home today. The weather sucks in Rochester, and I hate freezing my ass off every time I go outside. I had fun here, but it rained yesterday, so of course it’s beautiful on the day I have to leave. If it weren’t for my stupid jobs, I would just stay the rest of the week. Ugh, I might as well go pack up my stuff and get ready to drag myself to the airport. Good thing I brought a coat because I’ll be freezing when I get to Rochester.
Upcycled Thought:
I love Florida! I’m so lucky I could meet my friends here for a long weekend, and that we still stay in touch almost 10 years after college. The weather was warm and mostly sunny the whole time I was here, and it has been such a nice little getaway. I have about two hours before I need to head to the airport and jump on my flight (how awesome that I got a direct flight!), so I think I’ll head out for a walk around this beautiful resort before I get ready to leave. I can’t wait to see Joe, and it’s great that I could schedule my flight at a time when he can pick me up at the airport. This way I can save money on parking and get right into a warm car when I arrive.
I made this example be about a day-to-day experience…but I’ve had people do it about bigger and more important issues too. I think practicing on the little stuff is a good way to be able to apply it to the bigger things.
What could you upcycle today?!
I know, too many pictures of my laptop. But I love it and it’s such a big part of my life 🙂
I also have found a most fabulous cocktail recipe to share with you very soon.
Right now, I think I’ll finish my coffee (which I meant to give up, but there’s always tomorrow!).
Are you more of an “upcycler” or …something else? If you’re feeling negative, what do you do to feel better?
See you soon!
As a child I was happy go-lucky. As a teenager negativity began to take over but I still remained pretty upbeat. After I got married I truly went through some crap that made me feel like a victim so I had a distorted negative viewpoint on almost everything. The past three years I've been incorporating more and more *upcycling* in my life, to the point now where I use it on a daily basis. 🙂 Safe travels and embrace the cold…it's here for a bit longer I'm afraid! 🙂
Love this concept! very much food-for-thought for me
I think perspective is everything! We need to focus on the positive more often. It bring much more JOY to life. ya know?
You're right, upcycling is a great word! No matter what it's called, it's so imporant to make a conscious effort to focus on the positive things in our lives. I love your example of upcycling, it really showed a huge difference in perspective!
hope you have a safe and smooth trip home to rochester, lisa!
i've been consciously trying to use positive language for maybe over a year or so…i try to think in terms of “i GET to…” instead of “i have to,” and avoid negative language (no, not, never) in favour of positive language. takes some getting used to!
glad you had a good weekend with your college friends!
I could probably upcycle my attitude towards school….especially algebra!!!!! =D
Great post, as always!
I needed to hear this. I am generally an optimist at heart, always trying to find the positive in any situation, but lately even I've been having a harder time doing that. There has been a lot of crap! This is an excellent perspective, thank you!
Great concept! I used to be really negative, but doing things like this help me see the positive side of things.
I need to starting thinking more positive and upcycling, especially because of my knee pain. I can switch it around and say, it's ok that my knees hurt right now. I know I need to take care of them more, and now I can focus on my arms and abs!
I really need to upcycle my thoughts today! I really do try to find the positives in situations, but man there are days…..like today…..
I love the idea of upcycling…I'm really working on this right now! I think life is better if you look on the bright side.
Thank you for the congrats
Whooohooo! Bring on the cocktail! =)
I am trying my hardest to “upcycle” my way of thinking! so hard! It works half the time.. so i'm halfway there! =)
I tried teaching this concept to my pessimistic mommy and she totally didn't get it. Talking to her is the biggest buzzkill in the world – it reminds me that I have to be positive and optimistic or my outlook will end up cloudy and jaded.
haha ok TMI! Thanks for the feedback on my button/tab situation! you rock!
Upcycling- i like that phrase! and yes, i definitely am one…i feel its my “healthy coping strategy” to pull me out of self-doubt, worry, stress, fear, sadness etc. if im able to find, lets say, 3 negative things about a situation im in, then there should be no reason i cant find 3 positive ones too. theres no black or white, there HAS to be a middle ground/happy medium that lets me see every situation in a different light. the determining factor on if it helps is whether or not i actually choose to find those positives..or just dwell on the immediate negatives.
xoxo <3
Love this 'upcycling' thing!! Such a great idea! I love thinking positive! 🙂
If I'm feeling negative, I try to put things in perspective, think about good things I have to look forward to, and do some exercise and baking- always helps! 😀
Upcycle, I like it. And I understand getting stuck in a negative cycle, that sums up a lot of my high school and college years too. I upcycled having to work today being grateful for a relaxing day yesterday and that it's a short week.
Interesting! I think I tend to be an upcycler about many things, but there are also things that I tend to think of negatively on a daily basis, which I know needs to change. Also, I think that upcycling is contageous, its harder for me to do it when i'm around others that are bringing me down! Luckly, most of the people I spend lots of time around tend to be upcyclers.
That's a really cool idea, upcycling. I definitely have my fair share of negativity. I'll definitely give this a shot!
you have the most thought-provoking posts!
Thanks!
It takes a little practice, but I have found that it has made a big
difference for me over the last year.
I like to surround myself with upcyclers too 🙂
It always helps me to upcycle…even when I don't really feel like it. I
wish I could have learned it sooner, but I'm glad I've got the hang of it
now!
Perspective helps me….and actually, exercise and baking do too!
That's a great strategy—matching negatives with as many positives. I'm
going to do that too!
I always try and “upcycle” my thoughts!! A good example of this would be every day when I am on public transportation and I'm grouchy I try and remind myself that it's time I have to relax, read blogs, read a book, or that I could meet my future husband.. LOL…. that's how I turn most negative situations into positive ones 🙂
I can't wait to share this “new” cocktail…my rational responsible self
says to wait till the weekend…and my rebel thirsty self is pulling for
tomorrow…. 🙂
….on days like that (when the upcycling isn't working), I call my mom for
a pep talk 🙂
Yes—-sometimes it is hard (and you are still aware of the pain when you're
focusing on your arms and abs!)…but I hope it is helpful a little bit!
It sure does take some getting used to—I think I've been doing the
positive language/thoughts thing for a little over a year…It has made a
big difference in my day-to-day mood. And right now, as I'm back in the
tundra, it's helping me not pine for Florida sun!
I love helping people go from “autopilot” to putting in “conscious effort.”
Once you're conscious…it's hard to ignore things!
Yup….I'm all about upping the JOY 🙂
I'm back embracing the cold 🙂 feels much more comfortable than trying to
fight it!
Daily upcycling is fun 🙂
This transportation thing is a great example—I had to do it today when I
was on a plane and the lady next to me was letting her jacket drape over
onto me while she slept.
I think you're right—relax and it isn't so bad!
I try to upcycle my thoughts. Whenever I feel bummed about something I try and remind myself how lucky I am to live in LA, pursuing my dream. Even when it isn't going well, I'm still here and doing it and that's what matters!
I am SUCH an upcycler. It gets me in trouble sometimes! I think it's because I grew up watching musicals. For example, everytime I'm dating someone new, this scene pops into my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
So glad you're enjoying you've enjoyed the Florida reunion! I appreciate your sharing of “Upcycling” thoughts, too. Sometimes I have to MAKE myself upcycle…like when I have to work on a Saturday. I try to spend the better part of Friday evening pumping myself up for work the next day (so I don't get too bummed out about it!)
Have a safe flight home 🙂
Have
That's a great little practice! Especially useful for a Wednesday :). Instead of saying boo, it's only Wednesday, I should say, only 2 more days til a very fun weekend!!
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
Great post! If I'm feeling negativity creeping into my life, I try to immediately change my perspective – sometimes just going outside for a quick walk will change my whole mindset and allow me to see a bugger picture. Getting bogged down in negativity is such a waste of time. It's something that will continue to rear it's ugly head throughout life so figuring out how to combat it is crucail! 🙂
Love the word “upcycle” I will be using it! It makes postive thoughts more of an action word than a discripter. That is helpful.
I like the way you turned the negative into a positive. I am working on that myself lately. I am trying to be more positive about everything in general. I think I can see a difference in how it effects my mood…at least I hope so!
I wish I could up cycle more! Not doing to well at that lately.
Here is what I was thinking… Yay, it's wednesday, so close to the end of the week, and closer to a fun trip to Orlando! I love getting home from work and getting some me time! (hehe, i hope that was decent)
I wish I could upcycle more like you! I'm not that good at thinking positively, sometimes. But you're definitely an inspiration for me to try to be better!
I haven't been able to use the computer today because of internet issues. I have been PISSED OFF because I can't get on when I want to. If I had been able to get online sooner, I could have read your post, upcycled, and not ruined my day! DARN! Next time 🙂
Love this! I try to do a lot if positive self talk! The more I do it, the more natural it becomes 🙂
P.S. Excited for the drink recipes!!!
Great post! Inspiring and helpful! I'm in the down part of that upcycle right now… lol
Honestly, does it work when you are hating something so much that you cannot stand it anymore? (like a day job?) I'd like it to, but then I'd still be in the same situation with wanting happy thoughts to come. lol
I laugh but it's true. Ok, happy thoughts, positive feelings…
I love this post! “Upcycle” is a wonderful concept!
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