Let me start with this: if you’re feeling dragged down by the energy around you lately, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. The world has its way of throwing shadows over even the sunniest souls, especially when you’re surrounded by chronic complainers, bad news, or just that heavy emotional fog that seems to hang in the air some days.
I’ve had seasons like that. One in particular comes to mind—about ten years ago, right after I retired. I thought I’d feel free, light, ready to finally enjoy life without a schedule. But instead, I found myself spending more time with folks who, frankly, weren’t doing so great. Health problems, financial stress, bitterness about the past—you name it. And without even realizing it, I started to carry their weight around like it was my own.
So, how do you stay positive when you feel surrounded by negativity? I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a few things that helped me shift my mindset without abandoning people I care about—or ignoring real problems.
Protect your inner space
It’s not selfish to guard your peace. I used to feel guilty stepping back from certain conversations or choosing not to answer the phone when I knew it would leave me emotionally drained. But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. You can still love someone and set boundaries. You can still care and take a step back when your soul needs breathing room.
Choose your input carefully
This one made a big difference: I stopped waking up and immediately turning on the news. Not because I don’t care what’s going on in the world—but because I realized that starting the day with doom and fear was putting me in a dark cloud before I’d even had my coffee.
Now, I ease into the day. Maybe it’s a little music, a quiet walk, a devotional reading, or even just sitting with the birds for a few minutes. Positivity is fragile first thing in the morning. Treat it like a candle you’re trying to shield from the wind.
Say something kind every day
Even on rough days, I make it a point to say one kind thing to someone. It might be the cashier at the store, a neighbor I pass while walking, or a text to someone I haven’t spoken to in a while. Kindness cuts through negativity like warm butter through toast. And the funny thing is, it usually lifts *me* more than the other person.
Find your joy—and feed it
For me, it’s music. Old soul records, Motown, and anything with a good groove. Sometimes it’s silly cooking videos on YouTube, or taking my shoes off and feeling the grass under my feet. Other days, it’s writing down three small things I’m grateful for, even if one of them is just a hot shower or my cat not knocking over my plant (again).
What makes you smile *just because*? Do more of that.
Know that it’s okay to feel down sometimes
Let’s be honest. No one walks around smiling 24/7. That would be weird. And exhausting. Staying positive doesn’t mean you never get sad or angry or scared—it means you don’t live there. You visit, you feel it, and then you remind yourself that you don’t have to unpack and stay in that emotional motel.
Surround yourself with light-bringers
If you’re lucky enough to have even one friend who lifts your spirit instead of draining it, hold onto them. Meet them for coffee. Call them when you’re low. And if you don’t have that kind of person right now, don’t give up hope. Good people still exist. Sometimes they’re just a walk, a class, or a volunteer shift away.
Final Thought
Staying positive in a negative environment isn’t about being fake or plastering on a smile when everything feels heavy. It’s not about pretending the hard stuff doesn’t exist, or turning your back on people who are struggling. It’s about choosing—intentionally, sometimes stubbornly—to protect your light in the middle of the storm.
It means realizing that while you can’t always control what’s happening around you, you do have a say in how you respond. That’s your power. That’s your anchor. And at this stage of life, you’ve probably already lived through a thousand versions of tough times—grief, disappointment, change, heartbreak. And yet, here you are. Still standing. Still trying. Still showing up.
That matters.
Choosing positivity doesn’t mean everything feels good. It means you reach for something *better* even when things feel hard. You look for a reason to laugh, even when the day feels heavy. You take that extra minute to savor your coffee, call your friend, step outside and feel the sun on your face. You offer a kind word even when your own heart feels sore. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom in action.
And maybe the most important thing is this: *your light matters*. Even if it’s quiet. Even if it flickers sometimes. You never know who’s watching you, quietly inspired by your resilience, your warmth, or your gentle way of not letting the world harden you.
So if the room feels dark, don’t wait for someone else to turn on the light. Be the small glow that reminds others—and yourself—that joy is still possible here. That goodness hasn’t gone anywhere. That peace can be a choice, even on the loudest days.
You're not too old to be a light. In fact, you're exactly the right age to be one.
— Jack
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