How to Decide the Best Way to Start Your Day with Positivity
Choosing to start your day with gratitude or positive thinking is a fantastic first step toward a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. But the next step—deciding exactly how to implement positivity into your morning routine—can feel overwhelming. With so many techniques and methods to choose from, it’s important to find one that works best for you.
While this series will explore various options in depth, let’s start by going over a few key principles to help you choose the right practice for your unique needs and lifestyle.
1. Find What Works for You
The truth is, not every method of positive thinking or gratitude practice will resonate with everyone. It’s essential to remember that everyone is different, and that’s perfectly okay. Some people find that writing in a gratitude journal every morning lifts their spirits, while others prefer quiet meditation or taking a few moments to set positive intentions for the day.
The key here is to experiment. Try out several options and see what feels right for you. If a certain method doesn’t feel natural or uplifting, don’t force it. Give yourself permission to move on and try something new. There’s no need to feel bad if one approach doesn’t suit you—there are countless others out there that may work better. What’s important is that you find something that resonates with your soul and aligns with how you want to start your day.
If something immediately clicks for you, by all means, go with it. But if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to explore different practices until you find one that grabs your attention and feels natural.
2. Choose Something You Can Do Consistently
Consistency is key when building a new habit, especially one as impactful as starting your day with positivity. The best practice is one you can incorporate into your routine every day. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in deep meditation or gratitude exercises; it could be as simple as taking a few moments to mentally list things you’re thankful for before you even get out of bed.
When selecting your morning positivity practice, consider your current schedule. How much time do you realistically have each morning? For some, a few quiet moments reflecting on gratitude while sipping coffee might be all that’s needed. For others, setting aside 10-15 minutes for yoga or journaling could be the perfect way to start the day.
What matters most is that you choose something manageable—something that you can do consistently, even on your busiest days. If you’re struggling to find time for a more involved practice like yoga or meditation, you might consider limiting those activities to weekends when your schedule allows more flexibility. During the workweek, a shorter gratitude practice may be a better fit.
Remember, life happens. You don’t need to be perfect, but aim for consistency in your efforts. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to practice your chosen method at least 90% of the time.
3. Choose Something You Enjoy
One of the biggest reasons people fail at maintaining new habits—whether it’s starting a gym routine or a gratitude practice—is simply that they don’t enjoy what they’re doing. Humans are wired to stick with what they like and resist what they don’t. So, if you don’t enjoy your chosen practice, chances are you won’t stick with it for long, no matter how much you believe in its benefits.
For example, spending 30 minutes a day journaling might work wonders for one person but feel like a chore to another. If you don’t enjoy writing, you’re unlikely to keep up with a journaling practice, even though it can be a highly effective tool for others. Instead, you might prefer a quick mental gratitude list or a positive affirmation session that feels more natural and enjoyable for you.
The same principle applies to almost any habit you’re trying to develop. If it feels like a burden, you’re less likely to make it a lasting part of your routine. On the flip side, if you genuinely enjoy the practice, you’ll look forward to it each morning—and that enthusiasm will make it much easier to maintain over the long term.
It’s also worth noting that enjoyment and effectiveness are two different things. Many people know that spending time on a treadmill every day is effective for fitness, but very few actually enjoy it enough to make it a consistent habit. The goal is to find a practice that both works for you and that you enjoy doing, so that maintaining the habit becomes effortless.
4. Be Open to Experimentation
If you’re new to incorporating gratitude and positive thinking into your mornings, be open to experimenting with different approaches. What works for you now might not be the perfect fit forever, and that’s okay. As your life changes, your morning routine may need to evolve as well.
For example, as you become more comfortable with your gratitude practice, you might find that you have more time or energy to dedicate to additional mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or visualization. Conversely, there may be seasons in life when a simple, five-minute gratitude reflection is all you can manage.
The important thing is to stay flexible and open to adjusting your routine as needed. By continuously refining and adapting your morning positivity practice, you’ll ensure that it remains a beneficial and enjoyable part of your day, no matter what life throws your way.
Conclusion
Starting your day with gratitude and positive thinking is a powerful way to set the tone for a fulfilling and successful day. However, it’s important to choose a practice that works for you, is manageable within your daily routine, and that you genuinely enjoy. By keeping these principles in mind, you’ll be able to craft a morning positivity routine that you can stick with for the long term—and one that will bring lasting benefits to your life.
Remember to experiment with different techniques, stay consistent, and choose practices that resonate with you. Over time, you’ll discover the perfect way to start your mornings with positivity, setting the stage for a brighter, more positive day, every day.