“What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts?“

You control what you think, most people just forget that. I’m dealing with a chronic severe depression since 2005 (most likely much earlier, I just ignored it) and I’ve learned that I’m in control. Yes, it’s “work”. Think of it like training your muscles in the gym. It doesn’t happen from default, you have to get active. Like train your happy muscle. I have 3 things that help me a lot. First of all, I do not look what other people have, that is not relevant for my life. I look what I have. Next thing is gratitude for everything you have. Yes I know, it’s easy to tell what we all not have, but think about it, there are people who look at you and think “oh if I only could have their life”. So make a list every day, maybe even on paper, with things you are grateful for. It starts with really really basic things like “I’m grateful for my cozy bed.” or “I’m really grateful for my home”. A lot of people take these things for granted but they are not. Just look around you, there are a lot of people who have much less than you have. Another thing you can do is, as soon as a negative thought creeps up you push it aside and think of something really positive, something that makes you happy. That is something different for everybody but it’s like so often the small things that work best, cats, dogs, flowers, nature, art, ice cream.

One last thing before I go. Sometimes there will be days, when nothing of the above will work. Then you still have one more emergency tool. You can just shut the negative thoughts down with knitting/crocheting plus audio book/pot cast (only positive ones) or your favorite show (not the living dead, positive only). This combination will shut down all negative thoughts because your brain will be busy with other things. Give it a try.

And now be happy and have a pawsome day.