With the weather finally warming up and the days getting longer, I’m finding clarity. I’m slowly but surely climbing out of the sunken place. Finally finding a healthy mindset has been amazing for me. Who knew that minding your own business and ignoring unrealistic expectations could actually be beneficial!! All notions of “your vibe attracts your tribe” aside, a positive outlook on life makes actually living ten times easier. Focusing on the positive allows you to feel more energized, be more productive and attract opportunity. If you’re looking for success, a positive mindset genuinely matters.

In the light of staying positive, manifesting your dreams and all other notions of keeping karma on your side, meditating seems like a logical step on that journey. Unfortunately, I’m someone who’s too anxious to enjoy meditating but still wants to find ways to reset my mindset. Luckily, writing out what I’m grateful for seems to work. If you’re in the same boat I suggest you do the same. So here’s a little inspo to get you started.

1. Healthy friendships

This probably seems cheesy, but dude healthy friendships are so important!! Long gone are the days of being forced to socialize with people you’re tied to simply because of time. I think I’m so infatuated with my current friends is because they’re independent ladies focused on living their best lives. I’m someone who’s introverted and likes to disappear for a week or two at a time so having friends who are secure in our relationship is crucial.  Your time should be spent bettering each other’s lives, not convincing yourself that their toxic expectations of you are justified. My friends are so supportive and honestly, it makes chasing my dreams so much easier.

2. A functioning body

I think we often forget how wonderful our bodies are and how much they do for us. By the grace of God, my body has taken me through 22 years of life. With the weather warming up and diet culture resurfacing, we often mistreat ourselves in the name of “health.” I feel like we limit our bodies to being either “good” or “bad” dependant on the number on the scale. Personally, I think diet culture is bullshit and perpetuated by people who don’t actually understand food or what living a healthy lifestyle pertains.

In order to keep a healthy mindset on the matter, I like to remember that being an able-bodied person in control of my mental health is such a privilege. I am grateful for my body because it has done so much for me. In return, I’ll continue to listen to it by eating foods that are good for me, not because I’m counting calories. I’ll go to the gym because I want my body to be strong, not because the world tells us thigh gaps are important. Having a positive relationship with your body makes you more confident and people will notice; I’m grateful for the relationship I have with mine.

3. Warm weather

Seasonal affective disorder is real y’all and with Canadian summers being as short as they are, appreciating the sun is very important to me. I’ve been making conscious efforts to be outside as much as possible lately and it’s doing wonders for my mental health. Whether it be a walk during the evening or getting some work done on the patio, being outside makes my mood so much brighter and I’m grateful for our short time together. 10/10 recommend making the effort to have a picnic or see a movie in the park.

4. Water

If you spend more than fifteen minutes with me you’ll know 1. I am the queen of hydration and 2. It is literally all that I talk about. Is it annoying? Absolutely, but staying hydrated is so important!! You stay fuller longer, your skin is clearer and softer, and you’re just more energized. I also like feeling accomplished when I meet my 3-litre goal for the day.

Finding small achievements to complete throughout the day is great for morale. Even on your lowest days, drinking water is really simple and might even make you feel better. I love that something so elementary maintains a positive outlook on the day for me. Personal reasons aside, there are so many people in the world who don’t have access to clean drinking water. It’s good to check your privilege, find a charity to donate to, buy a LifeStraw bottle, use the things that make you happy to give back.

5. Art

When I say that I am grateful for art, I mean that I am grateful for people being inventive and creating work that is honest to who they are. When I look back on the defining moments of my life, they are surrounded by film, music, poetry, and even paintings that make me feel seen. Whenever I feel lost there is always a piece of art that validates me. Lately, that has been spoken word, mostly because it is so painful yet beautiful and I like that juxtaposition. Regardless of what works for you, art allows us to experience the world in colour, it’s inspiring and we should put more effort into appreciating it.

We live in a world that expects so much out of us, sometimes it’s important to simplify it all and focus on what keeps you going. You’re not going to get anywhere without a healthy mindset and positivity looks good on you!