30 Day Trial: Writing down positive things

[Bene]

I remember this from some other forum awhile back. Basically to feel good about yourself, you write down a specified number of positive/good things everyday about yourself that make you feel good.

The idea is to like/love yourself more. So I've decided to do this for 30 days. From June 6 to July 6, everyday I will deliberately write down 10 things that I like about me. They can be accomplishments/successes in the past or my qualities/values as I see them or praise/compliments that I've received from others.

I will do this in a notebook and really try to feel the positive feelings. I will do this before bed everyday.

Anybody want to join me?

[hieza]

hey, cool. I nearly feel like a pioneer. Count me in.

Each night before going to bed, for 30 days, i will be listing 10 things to which i feel, and will wallow in the good feeling of appreciation.

[Thur]

Hi there Bene & Hieza,

Nice one!! I've started somewhat the same thing 3 days ago. I write down 3 positive points of that day. I need to be more satisfied with the life I live today...

I've tried this one several times already, but I guess with you guys doing the same thing, I should be able to make it! Let's keep eachother informed!

[Stu]

Hey Bene, this is something I do too and I can tell you it definitely works!

Some researchers actually did a study of different personal growth techniques and found that writing down three positive things that happened during the day was one of the most effective ways to increase your happiness level.

If you want to read more about it I wrote a post about it here: 5 Happiness Boosting Exercises: Which Ones Work and Which Ones Don't do Anything.

I hope the 30 day trial goes well, good luck!

[hieza]

On the 2nd night of listing 10 things, i was suprised that there were more good things in my life than i was aware of. After about the 4th day, i started slacking off with the writing, and just reflected on the positive things throughout the day before going to bed.

I have been nearly every day, looking for situations, people or circumstances to appreciate in the day as it unfolds. It seems easier for me than appoaching a 10 list that i need to do at the end of the day when tired.

Sometimes in the morning before getting out of bed, i do the feeling good/ appreciating in order to set up the pace for the day. Ocassionally, i visualise what i want to create in my life which feels good to me.
One morning i was "down and out" about where i am in life, because it seemed like no sollution was possible. It took about 5 to 10 minutes to switch into a better feeling state through defining what i wanted for myself, and returning to appreciating what i wanted to create that felt better to me, rather than the external circumstances, that seemed like being between a rock and a hard place. That change of state led me to continue to focus on something that is important to me, and could actually be a way of improving where i have been, along with other people as well.

Not sure how i just got to urge to visit here, but glad i did. I had forgotten about the 30 day trial, and my focus had lost intensity.
There are 11 elleven days to go. I will aim for a minimum of three things in the day, instead of 10. I will see if that helps.

[Bene]

Hi Hieza,
I slacked off after a day or two. My other 30 day trial of meditation has been going well. Its ok though, I'll try again. I think your urge to post here is for me. I need to get back into this. Do it seriously.

I appreciate things from the past as well. Perhaps you could do that if you run out of things to appreciate. Actually, the original purpose of this thread was to appreciate myself! The goal was to increase self-esteem and worthiness in myself. So thats what I'll be focusing on.

Thanks! I am going to start again. Seriously this time.

[Enrim]

Haha, I've been doing this exact thing for almost a month already. I post my "Positive Thingies" on my blog, and I found that it not only brightens up my own day, but also helps other people. I don't put any extra pressure on myself to put exactly 10 things down, sometimes 1 is enough. But everyone is different, maybe for somebody 10 things would work better. here is my blog for those who are curious: enrim