My dad is one of the most positive and joyful people I know. Curious about his constant optimism, I once asked him, “How do you stay so positive and encouraging all the time?” His response was surprisingly simple: “I just hate being miserable.” That answer made me pause. Could it really be that straightforward? Our mindset has the incredible power to shape our lives. Either to grow and flourish or to wither and break down. Understanding how mindset works is critical to achieving self-mastery because it sets off a domino effect that influences everything else in our lives.
“I just hate being miserable.”
It All Starts in the Mind
Everything starts in the mind. Thoughts trigger emotions; emotions influence our moods; moods develop into attitudes; attitudes form our state of being; and our state of being shapes our personality. All of which ultimately create our reality. The reality we experience today is a direct reflection of our inner mental landscape. When we consider the thought-emotion-action cycle, the pattern becomes clear. If someone is overwhelmed with toxic, negative thoughts, those thoughts generate negative emotions, which lead to pessimistic moods, cynical attitudes, and a defeatist state of being. Over time, this can become part of their personality. Perhaps manifesting as depression, unhappiness, or a victim mindset. Such individuals may blame everyone around them and neglect personal responsibility for their own thoughts and actions.
“Our
internal state governs our external reality.”
On the other hand, a person who dwells on benevolent and positive thoughts tends to be joyful, grateful, compassionate, and empowered. Their mindset turns challenges into opportunities. A negative mindset, by contrast, tends to focus on faults and roadblocks. This illustrates how powerful our mindset truly is. Like the saying from the Bible, “Whatever you think, so you will be,” our internal state governs our external reality. Our thoughts activate neural circuits that form mental images, our sense of self or ego. These images trigger neurochemical responses in the hypothalamus, the emotional center of the brain, releasing chemicals that create feelings and moods. All of this happens lightning-fast, often trapping us in loops of negativity or elevating us into positivity without us even realizing it.
“…An awareness of the internal loops and a conscious effort to rewire them.”
Shifting Perspectives
Breaking free from these negative patterns requires self-mastery. An awareness of the internal loops and a conscious effort to rewire them. I recently experienced this firsthand. Just last week, I found myself caught in an unhelpful thought cycle. The part of me I am today wouldn’t have engaged with that old pattern, but in the past, I had relished the self-destructive behaviors associated with it. Every day that week, the loop played over and over, disturbing my peace. It wasn’t until I recognized I had handed over my power that I decided to change it. Instead of suppressing my feelings, I allowed myself to feel the uneasiness and fear. Then I shifted my perspective, telling myself, “That was then; today, I choose gratitude for my life and love for who I am becoming.” Saying, “I feel” rather than “I am” helps us detach from temporary emotions, giving us clarity and space to see things as they truly are. This mindful distinction
empowers us to make intentional choices instead of reacting impulsively.
Choose Your Thoughts Wisely
Training the mind daily. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, is essential. When we strengthen our inner space, it becomes more powerful than external circumstances. Remember, no one can change your mindset unless you give them the power to do so. Never let someone’s insecurities disturb your inner peace. You hold the pen of your story. Your thoughts are the words, and you can choose them wisely. Your mindset is a formidable tool. Shape it with intention, and you will shape your reality.
I’m Tanya, A woman who believes in the quiet power of intention, the healing force of nature, and the magic that happens when we meet our lives with honesty.
My journey has led me through the mess and beauty of self-discovery, and I’ve learned that mindset isn’t just a practice, it’s a revolution. Through words, rituals, and handcrafted remedies, I explore what it means to live with presence and purpose.
Here, I share musings from the soul, wisdom from the wild, and creations infused with care.
This isn’t about chasing the ideal.
It’s about coming home to yourself.
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My dad is one of the most positive and joyful people I know. Curious about his constant optimism, I once asked him, “How do you stay so positive and encouraging all the time?” His response was surprisingly simple: “I just hate being miserable.” That answer made me pause. Could it really be that straightforward? Our mindset has the incredible power to shape our lives.
There’s something ancient in the handmade.
Something your body remembers, even if your mind has forgotten.
The weight of a ceramic mug, still warm from firing.
The brushstroke that doesn’t follow rules.
The cedar grain in a hand-built chair, whispering of trees and time.
In a world obsessed with convenience, handmade is a beautiful rebellion.
I’ve always known I was creative.
Even as a child, I was building, crafting, painting. Finding joy in creating with my hands. That was my happiest place. Not because anyone told me it mattered, but because something in me needed to create. It was never about learning to be an artist. It was always about remembering that I already was.
