21 Day Positivity Challenge

[Kaisada]

I'm posting this here because I would like to invite everyone to join me. Strength in numbers, right?

I'm sure you may have heard of 21 day challenges with regards to other things, like maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. It's based on the scientifically researched theory that it takes 21 days of continuous reinforcement for the brain to develop a new habit. Someone shared an idea with me yesterday, and I thought it was brilliant: for the next 21 days, whenever you catch yourself with a negative, difficult, or destructive thought, erase it with a mental eraser, and put an opposing constructive thought in its place. There are many specific techniques to help do this - for example, if we find ourselves lost in thought while walking, we can stop, breathe, notice the green grass and the trees nearby, look up at the sky, or just enjoy breathing and holding the energy of life within us. That might inspire some potential positive thoughts that we can use to replace the negative one.

Since the idea came to me late yesterday, I figure that today would be a good opportunity to start officially for myself. If anyone else feels inspired to do the same, this thread will be here for us to share our aspirations, successes, and difficulties.

If we lose ourselves to a negative thought pattern for a whole day or longer, or find ourselves consciously deciding to empower the negative thought pattern despite awareness of it and an opportunity to choose otherwise, we can start back at day one. This isn't to be hard on ourselves, but only because the requirement is 21 days of continuous mental reinforcement.

At the end of the 21 days, we should do something to congratulate ourselves - because it isn't easy! And of course, there is always room for round 2's, new challenges, and such.

I'm halfway through Day 1, and have been surprised by some of the positive, inspiring insights that were within reach all along, but were obscured by habit energies which favoured its opposition.

PS: This forum is suffering from a serious lack of activity. Let's change that!

[Nicole!]

I will try this too
I think its a great idea!

[Maloo]

I really, really like this idea

[oOo.NICKI.oOo]

I think this is an amazing idea! I believe a positive attitude is such a powerful thing. I'm definitely going to try this starting now I feel more positive already xD

[Ancora Imparo]

I think that this is a great idea. Good luck to everyone who is going to try this challenge!

[annabanana.]

I like this I'm trying it already I guess but support in numbers would be useful!
Thank you and hope its going well for you!

[Kaisada]

I will share a little difficulty, that is with defining what exactly constitutes a negative mental state. 'Bad thoughts' and 'bad feelings' are rather obvious, but what about less clear cut things like laziness and boredom? Also, I caught myself at one point getting lost in memories of the past, and feeling really mellow about the fact that things didn't work out to my heart's desire. But I wasn't sure if that was something negative or problematic at all. It was natural to feel that kind of stuff, right? I was sad, but sad feels more like a high than a low.

But I found that I was able to come up with a replacement for those mental states that felt more comfortable and balanced. I saw that I was attached to the past, and practiced letting go instead. I saw that I was feeling lazy and bored, so I got myself active.

So, I think the answer isn't about whether or not something fits the definition - it's about whether or not there exists a conceivable alternative that feels more comfortable and refreshing. If there is, then we should take it.

[Justin Bieber]

I'm gonna try this for 1/2 a day and see how I do

[allyouneedislove]

I'm going to try this as well it seems like a very good idea to do this.

[Justin Bieber]

Blah, kudos to anyone who is doing this challenge. I found it impossible and extraordinarily hard. I did however at least think of one good thing! Hope you all have better luck than me

[amystery]

This sounds like an interesting challenge. Hope it goes well for ya. I might have to give a go one day but idk if I could do it aha