Attitude Reset: Tips For A Happier You

Use these attitude adjustment tips to make life easier. All are simple ideas that will brighten your days!

We all have bad days. Days when nothing goes right…and we feel like giving up. Days when we’re tired, and don’t have the energy to think positive. Days when we are drowning in the sea of comparison, and we just need something to make us feel better…or something to brighten our dark day. When we’re in the middle of one of those crappy days, what we need is an attitude adjustment. We need concrete and specific ideas to help us break out of that bad mood. Easy ways to turn a challenging day into a good one.

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Journaling

Journaling does not have to be complicated or time consuming to be meaningful. You do not need a special notebook or an elaborate system. I keep it very simple and use my monthly calendar. Each day, I jot down a few short notes, usually things I am grateful for. If you are just beginning, simply start with one thing. Gratitude has a quiet way of shifting perspective. It is simple, grounding, and one of the easiest ways I know to gently adjust your attitude.

Walk Outside

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this works. A walk outside is like hitting a reset button, and it can turn your day completely around. I realize that weather and other circumstances may sometimes prevent you from utilizing this tip, but if you can, do it. A few summers ago, when our little dog, Kelly, was sick, walking outside literally saved me. And after she passed away, walking got me out of the house, and helped with the “feeling sorry for myself” issue. Now, Millie (our little dog) and I walk every day, and we both feel so much better when we get home. You don’t have to go far, and you don’t have to walk for a long time. It’s simply the change in your surroundings and fresh air that do the trick.

Light a Candle

When you light a scented candle, two things happen. First, a peaceful feeling descends as the flame is lit. Second, the aromatherapy generated as the candle burns helps calm your restless heart. Peace and calm are two things that can turn a bad day into one that’s very good.

Pray

Prayer is a very personal thing, and I would never try to tell you how to do it, when to do it, or how often to do it. I will say this…saying a prayer for patience, or forbearance, or simply for a blessing, can change your attitude instantly.

Take a Nap

Like a walk, short naps act as that much needed reset button on days when you are weighed down. Sometimes the simple act of closing our eyes, and taking a break from the world, can turn our attitude around. It also gives our minds a chance to slow down, and reconsider what made our attitudes crappy in the first place! (See our neutral bedroom HERE.)

Say Thank You. Say No.

Taking a moment to thank someone, even for the smallest thing, is a simple way to shift your outlook. Gratitude has a quiet way of softening a day. At the same time, learning to say no can be just as important. One of my favorite reminders comes from Anne Lamott. “No is a complete sentence.” When something will add stress, worry, or overwhelm, it is enough to politely decline. No explanations required. Both gratitude and healthy boundaries create space for peace, and together they can change the tone of a day more than we might expect.

Buy Flowers (one of my favorite attitude adjustment tips)

I have been preaching about this for as long as I’ve been blogging! Treating yourself to a bouquet of flowers will instantly make you smile. Does it get any better than that?

Bake Something

You need to have some time for this tip, but it will definitely be time well spent. Heading to the kitchen when I’m stressed always makes me feel better. It occupies my mind and my hands, which helps to ease the stress. It makes me feel productive and accomplished. Many times I give away whatever I’ve baked, which also makes me feel good…and helpful. All of these things are positive, and all are wonderful attitude adjustments.

Organize One Space

Have you ever opened a drawer or closet and felt instantly irritated? Most homes have at least one spot that quietly causes stress. Choosing just one space to organize, no matter how small, can make a surprising difference. It brings a sense of order and relief, and it often changes how the whole day feels. This does not have to be a big project. One drawer. One shelf. One small step at a time. There is something very steadying about opening a space and finding exactly what you need, right where it belongs. (Get the details for organizing your spice drawer.)

Read a Book/Watch a Movie

One of my favorite attitude adjustment tips is to step away from the world, relax, and go someplace you’ve never been. There is no better way to do this than to read a book, or watch a movie. Like the baking tip, you need some time, but sinking down into a comfortable chair, with a cozy throw blanket, is worth the juggling it takes to work it into your schedule.

Plant One or Two Herbs

This may seem like a stretch, and it does take a bit of planning, but I promise it will brighten your day. The way fresh herbs smell, and being able to use them in your cooking, are two very uplifting things.

Don’t overthink this. Root herbs can almost always be found in the produce section of grocery stores…so just pick one or two up when you are shopping. Use whatever container is handy…and order the potting soil online. In no time flat you will have an herb garden right in your kitchen, and a smile on your face. Tip: before I added the potting soil to my blue colander, I lined it with coffee filters.