Positivity Overload - Tips for staying motivated!!

HOK3Y

Hello fellow DFWs :wave:

Thought I would post this as a collective place for all your tips and tricks on staying positive. I am a firm believer in positive thinking and when it comes to tackling debt it's imperative to keep that mindset for the most part. But we all have bad days - heck, even I have days (usually between paydays when I feel I'm getting nowhere) when I want to head down to the nearest jeweller's and blow the monthly food/petrol budget on something sparkly (I may have a sparkly problem I've not yet 'fessed up to....). I have moments when I feel I am getting nowhere, that it's too overwhelming, that I'm never going to see the end of it.

BUT!!!!!!!!

I also have a lot of tricks to pull me quickly out of that and I wanted to share in the hope that all you lovely and supportive fellow DFWs will share too and teach this old dog some new tricks......and those struggling can come here for an overdose of positivity!! :T:T

So without further ado, here's some of the things I do to stay positive:

1. Get on here and reeeeeeeaaaaad.

Read about others who are in a worse position or read through a fellow DFW's diary or maybe success stories against overwhelming odds. This is always helpful to me.

2. Try to be aware of negative thoughts and identify the root cause so that you can either tackle it or avoid it.

For example, I have twigged this morning that reading a certain online publication breeds resentment and jealousy for me - so I'm not going to read it anymore!

3. Look at how far you have come.

Okay, so you may have only paid £20 off that bill this month but you're forgetting that it's £1200 less than it was 6 months ago. You are going forward and have already come so far.

4. Be inspired.

Look around you for someone who has cracked the debt nut and take inspiration - there is a lot of energy in that and it can really propell you forward.

5. Help others on their journey

This is important - you are lifting others and speaking from experience, sharing your struggles, offering advice. You cannot do that effectively without latching onto positive thought. Once you have a toehold, don't let go.

6. Smile

No matter how bad you feel inside, you can usually override at least some of it by smiling on the outside and if that fails......

7. Laugh

Go spend an hour with a friend who you know tickles your funny bone......or read the sloblady thread.....:rotfl:

8. Chocolate

Well, if you're still feeling down after everything above then you need to call in the big guns.......:rotfl:

I am certain there is a lot more I could share and it will come to me as we go but pleeeeaaassssse do share your thoughts and tips on staying on top mentally.

wegle

Great post HOK3Y!!

No more tips from me, I always just follow your advice!! Oh actually maybe one of my tips would be spreadsheets and charts! Anything that you can tick off, make a graph out of, put smiley faces on, anything that is a visual representation of how far along your debt free journey you are. Hell, if it works for primary school kids it'll work for me!!

allydowd

9. Distract yourself

If you're feeling stressed and dwelling on negative thoughts, distract yourself. Wipe your eyes, stand up and do something useful. Deal with a tiny part of your debt, clean the car, listen to a radio play, plan a week's meals, walk the cat, anything, but don't just sit there worrying, cos you'll go barmy.

Afterwards feel proud that you dealt with the moment and did something useful.

Calling14

What a great idea HOK3Y a positive happy thread.

No great words of wisdom from me would agree with allydowd, keep busy. I have a wicked looking garden now from last few weeks efforts. Exercise and music are my happy places, No expensive gyms, lovely walks with the dog, taking in great views around here. Bake a wee treat for yourself to look forward to with a coffee, curled up on the couch in these cold evenings.

10. Plan a treat for yourself when you meet a milestone, need not cost a fortune but will just give you something to look forward.

Reading other diaries are inspiring, would love to cut my credit card up but seeing as I don't have any savings it would have to be used for emergency that crops up.

We can do this folks onwards and upwards:beer:

thoughtsaboutbudget

This is just the post I need after a very tiring week and after losing track of what I have invested. This is a really great post! I just would like to add to your 3rd entry.

I always post my achievements on my wall on sheets of paper. When I wake up, I always get a good start because of them.

HOK3Y

wegle wrote: »

Great post HOK3Y!!

No more tips from me, I always just follow your advice!! Oh actually maybe one of my tips would be spreadsheets and charts! Anything that you can tick off, make a graph out of, put smiley faces on, anything that is a visual representation of how far along your debt free journey you are. Hell, if it works for primary school kids it'll work for me!!

Sticker charts!!! Oh wegle! You have just catapulted me back to when I used sticker charts to keep me on track with workouts! I loved them! Oh now I want a sticker chart with some pretty shiny stickers.....I'm going to figure out how I can use one somehow! (I promise all of you I do actually turn 40 at Christmas - I'm not an 8 year old masquerading as a debt ridden 39 year old.....:D)

And I love s/s too - brilliant to tweak when you're having a bad day. It really helps, absolutely.

Allydowd: LOVE that one. It's so true. Take your mind off the negative with something else. Worry doesn't fix anything. It usually only magnifies the situation. If worrying could fix anything, imagine what would have been achieved in the world already! A little worry is a good warning bell, a lot of worry is poison.

Calling14: Another good point and thank you! I read a comment the other day that was something to the effect of 'Giving with an open heart is different from having to sacrifice to give'. Maybe that doesn't make sense immediately but what I mean is, if we don't freely allow ourselves to give back to ourselves from time to time, then we are sacrificing any kind of enjoyment in our lives for the situation. The problem with that is the resentment that comes with it. Hubby and I have costa once in a while and sometimes we even go to Betty's. We always appreciate it, especially because it is such a treat for us. Plus, it stops us going crazy!

I have another one:

11. Never forget that life changes

Where you are now is not where you will be even tomorrow. Life changes, situations change, nothing is stagnant. It is within your power to encourage your life to change in a positive direction. You just have to start pushing the right way.

HOK3Y

Hello thoughts!! Well, you have made my morning to know that we have brightened your day - that was the whole point and I am so so happy you have taken a little sunshine from it! *HOK3Y does the cokey*. I love that you keep a visual affirmation of what you have achieved - that is a huge.y positive thing to do and it will keep you on track. Well done! X

Trajal

Exercise - Go for a run, go for a walk, do some situps, do some pressups - anything to get your blood pumping.

Get the flow of oxygen pushing around your body and feel utterly invigorated and inspired. Ready to fight the world and win!

HOK3Y

That's a good one Trajal and it's always funny how many people dont believe it until they do it!

Silly_Spender

Great post HOK3Y not usually a fan of Mondays but this has put me in a good mood!

HOK3Y

Silly_Spender wrote: »

Great post HOK3Y not usually a fan of Mondays but this has put me in a good mood!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Happy HOK3Y!!!! :T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T