When discussing mindset, we tend to talk about it in an abstract sense, such as what thoughts and sentiments can shift our outlooks for the better. As important as that is, we rarely talk about concrete actions we can take to do just that. If you’ve been looking for tangible steps to take on a regular basis to improve your mindset, you’ve come to the right place! Of course, being conscious of our recurring thoughts is crucial for our mental health/wellbeing. At the same time, though, we should also be just as conscious of our habits and the energy we absorb from all sources. Without further ado, here’s your mindset regimen!
1- Consume content that inspires you and makes you feel good.
This can include social media content, podcasts, movies, TV shows, books, blogs, songs, the list goes on! Social media in particular has a reputation for poorly affecting our mental health, but the reality is, it’s all a matter of how we use it. If you follow accounts that make you feel negatively, and you continue following them after recognizing this, of course social media won’t be good for your mindset.
However, if you limit the accounts you follow to those that make you feel good in some way or another, social media can become an incredible tool for you. These positive effects can include but aren’t limited to lighting a fire under you to achieve your goals, making you feel less alone in what you’re going through, providing valuable insight relevant to something in your life, teaching you about a topic of interest, and getting your creative juices flowing.
As for movies and TV shows, there’s no shame in rewatching the same scene for the 20th time where the main character’s bravery rubs off on you! As for songs, listen to the ones that make you feel alive as often as need-be! Whatever content is helpful for your mindset, be sure to carve out time in each day to consume some of it. (Even if you’re tight on time, 1 song typically only lasts 3 or so minutes—that’s better than nothing!). You’ll be amazed how powerful this habit is.
2- Journal for a variety of purposes.
Need to express how excited you feel after something great just happened for you? Organize your thoughts that are racing a mile a minute? Document a positive shift in mindset that changed everything for you? Have a good vent session? The answer to all of these needs is the same—journal!
Getting your thoughts out onto paper or a screen, no matter what the purpose, can feel like a weight lifted. As for the journal entries that are written from a place of inspiration, clarity, gratitude, or any other positive place, be sure to save them and reread them often. There’s no better person to relay these important messages to you when you need them most than yourself. Also, make sure that those positive entries are coming from a genuine place and that you truly believe everything you’re writing. That authenticity (or lack thereof) will translate in the energy of the entry when you reread it. If you prefer speaking to writing, you can opt for voice recordings instead of journaling, for which the same tips apply.
Though this doesn’t necessarily have to be a daily habit, I’d suggest doing it fairly regularly. Even a 10-minute brain dump can be enough to do the trick. If you find it as therapeutic as I do, it should be a pretty natural integration into your routine!
3- Get fresh air whenever possible.
If you go extended periods of time not leaving your home (which is particularly possible if you work remotely), you might start to feel confined, which could spill into your overall mindset. Sometimes all it takes is feeling fresh air hit your face to snap you out of a funk. Going for a 10-minute walk on a day when you wouldn’t be leaving home otherwise can be a great mood boost, as it’s a nice way to feel more connected to the outside world. Though you may not be able to get out every single day, if you can make a habit of getting out more often, especially on great weather days, you should see a positive shift in your energy!
4- Take care of your physical health.
Pay attention to what nutritional and fitness habits make you feel good, and try to stick with them as much as possible. That certainly doesn’t have to mean going on a diet or having a super strenuous workout routine. It can be as simple as getting in tune with your body and what it needs, which is different for everyone. Other examples of ways to care for your physical health include staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and taking vitamins. All in all, the better you feel physically, the better you’re bound to feel mentally.
5- Take care of your appearance.
While the saying “looks don’t matter” holds *some* weight in the sense that our looks don’t affect/dictate our worth, it can be great for our mindsets to like the way we look. (More on this topic in the 7th point of my post 7 Manifestations of Confidence + How to Embody Them). It’s not for vanity purposes or for public perception; it’s simply for our own confidence. You can start by figuring out what you look and feel best in—whether it be styles of clothing, colors of clothing, hairstyles, hair colors, makeup looks, etc.—and making these more prominent parts of your everyday looks. There’s no need to pull out all the stops everyday, but putting in that extra little bit of effort should be enough to see and feel a difference when you look in the mirror. That added boost of confidence should stick with you throughout your days!
6- Set your favorite quote as your phone’s lock screen.
This isn’t as much of a habit as it is a one-time action, but seeing the quote will be a part of your everyday, multiple times a day! Choose a quote that instantly makes you feel inspired, confident, or ready to take on the day. You certainly don’t have to commit to the same quote indefinitely, as different words resonate with us at different times in our lives. Check in with yourself from time to time and evaluate what sentiment would be most helpful for you to read regularly. My current lock screen includes the quote, “Good things are coming”. Whenever I read it (and really absorb its energy), it instantly puts my mindset in the right place!
7- Declutter your spaces.
You might be surprised by how much your unwanted belongings are weighing you down. By holding onto them indefinitely, not only are they taking up unnecessary physical space in your life but unnecessary mental space. This can also apply to digital items you no longer want or need, including photos, files, emails, text messages, notes, etc. Whenever I go on a decluttering spree of any kind, I feel lighter and freer. If even once a month, you take stock of your belongings (physical and digital) and evaluate what you can get rid of, you’ll be amazed at how good it feels. Free up your space for things that are so much better-suited for present-day you!
8- Have quality interactions with people who make you feel good.
Similarly to how the content we consume can affect our mindsets for better or worse, the people we interact with can do the same. It can be eye-opening to occasionally evaluate how the people in your life make you feel. Upon doing so, you may find it’s time to readjust certain people’s roles in your life accordingly. Some roles may deserve a greater spotlight while others may need to fade into the background. As for the ones that deserve a greater spotlight, while there probably aren’t many people who you talk to every single day, try making a more conscious effort to talk to these people more regularly. You never know when a conversation with someone could turn your whole day around for the better.
The bottom line…
Sometimes we don’t realize how much control we have over our mindsets that goes beyond our thoughts. Taking these small but powerful actions can make the biggest difference in our day-to-day lives. Most of them hardly take any time, and some of them can even be stacked together. For example, you can listen to the song that makes you feel badass on your walk (which combines fresh air and physical activity!). You can talk to your uplifting best friend on the phone while decluttering your room. The list goes on! Give these habits a whirl and pay attention to how they make you feel!