Filtering Out Negativity: How to Keep a Positive Mindset
Lately, it feels like negativity is everywhere. The news is filled with crisis after crisis, social media is a breeding ground for outrage and comparison, and even daily conversations often revolve around stress, frustration, or complaints. It’s easy to feel like the world is weighed down by problems, making it harder to stay hopeful and motivated.
I’ve felt this personally, too. As someone who works in mental health, I see firsthand how constant negativity affects people—how it drains their energy, fuels self-doubt, and makes them feel stuck. I’ve also experienced it in my own life. There have been moments when the weight of external negativity made it difficult to stay optimistic. But over time, I’ve learned that staying positive isn’t about denying the struggles around us. It’s about choosing where to place your focus and how to respond to the world without letting it consume you.
Your mindset is like a filter—you can choose to let in only what serves you, strengthens you, and helps you grow. Staying positive in a negative world isn’t about ignoring reality or pretending life is perfect. It’s about learning to navigate challenges without losing yourself in them.
Here’s how I’ve learned to filter out negativity while still staying informed, engaged, and emotionally strong.
1. Be Mindful of What You Consume
For a while, I made it a habit to check the news constantly, thinking that staying informed was necessary. But instead of feeling knowledgeable, I felt anxious and overwhelmed. I started noticing how every headline seemed designed to trigger fear or outrage. The same happened with social media—after scrolling for just a few minutes, I’d feel drained, either from negativity or from subconsciously comparing myself to others.
That’s when I realized I needed to set boundaries. Now, I limit my news intake to once a day from reliable sources. I’ve also curated my social media to follow people and pages that inspire, educate, or make me laugh instead of stress me out. The result? I still stay informed, but I no longer carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Does your daily media intake leave you feeling empowered or exhausted?
- Do your social media feeds inspire you or make you feel inadequate?
- Are your daily conversations uplifting or just cycles of complaining?
You don’t have to disconnect completely, but you can be intentional about what you allow into your mind.
2. Shift Your Perspective on Negativity
Negativity isn’t just something external—it’s also internal. I’ve had moments where a minor setback felt like a catastrophe because my mind was already wired to expect the worst. But over time, I started practicing a simple but powerful shift: reframing my thoughts.
Instead of thinking:
- “This is unfair. Why does this always happen to me?” → Try “This is tough, but what can I learn from this?”
- “I can’t do this. I’m not good enough.” → Try “This is a challenge, but I can figure it out.”
- “Everything is going wrong.” → Try “Some things are hard right now, but not everything is bad.”
It’s not always easy, but I’ve noticed that when I challenge negative thoughts, they lose their power. Reframing doesn’t change reality, but it helps you approach it with a stronger, more resilient mindset.
3. Strengthen Your Mental Boundaries
Early in my career, I used to take on the emotions of those around me—whether it was clients, friends, or even strangers on social media. I felt responsible for fixing everything. But the more I tried, the more drained I became. That’s when I realized that not every problem is mine to carry.
If you’re surrounded by negativity—whether it’s at work, in relationships, or online—it’s crucial to set boundaries:
- You can listen to people vent without absorbing their emotions.
- You can care about the world’s problems without feeling personally responsible for fixing everything.
- You can love people without allowing their negativity to drain you.
Not every battle is yours to fight. Protect your energy, because you need it for your own growth and well-being.
4. Find and Create Small Moments of Joy
There was a time when I thought positivity had to come from big achievements or major breakthroughs. But I’ve since learned that joy often comes from the smallest moments—if we choose to notice them.
For me, it’s the quiet morning moments with a cup of coffee, an unexpected message from a friend, or the satisfaction of finishing a good book. It’s the way music can instantly shift my mood or how stepping outside for fresh air makes me feel grounded again.
Negativity often demands our attention, but joy needs to be noticed. If you don’t see it? Create it. Take breaks, do things you love, and surround yourself with people who uplift you. These small moments add up, and before you know it, your mindset begins to shift.
5. Take Action Where You Can
Negativity often makes us feel powerless, like we’re just reacting to the world instead of shaping our own lives. But I’ve found that the best antidote to feeling stuck is action.
- If work stress is overwhelming, I focus on small things I can control—whether it’s better time management or setting clear boundaries.
- If social media feels toxic, I take a break or curate my feed to include more positivity.
- If I feel helpless about what’s happening in the world, I focus on things I can do—whether that’s supporting a cause, volunteering, or simply spreading kindness in small ways.
You may not be able to change the entire world, but you can change your world.
Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Peace in a Noisy World
Negativity is everywhere, but it doesn’t have to consume you. The world will always have its challenges, and we can’t control everything happening around us. But what we can control is how we respond, what we allow into our minds, and how we take care of ourselves.
It’s not about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about choosing to focus on what strengthens you instead of what drains you. Some days, that might mean stepping away from the noise and reconnecting with what truly matters. Other days, it might mean shifting your mindset, setting boundaries, or simply reminding yourself that you’re doing the best you can.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Surround yourself with people, habits, and environments that uplift you. Protect your energy, be intentional with your focus, and remember—your peace is worth prioritizing.