15 Red Flags You’re Stuck In A Negative Mindset

15 Red Flags You’re Stuck In A Negative Mindset

It’s not easy to walk through life with an eternally sunny disposition — tough times can seriously get you down. However, it’s super important that when you start feeling down, you find a way to pick yourself back up again. Otherwise, you’ll end up stuck in a negative mindset. If you relate to the following, you’re already there.

1. You Feel Like You’re Never Good Enough.

Lonely young woman feeling alone and negative emotion

Ever feel like your own worst critic is living inside your head? That’s a classic sign of a negative mindset. When you’re constantly beating yourself up over every little thing, you’re your own internal bully. This constant self-criticism can really take a toll on your mood and self-esteem.

2. You Always Expect the Worst.

lonely man outdoors near bridge

If you find yourself assuming things will go wrong before they even start, that’s a classic case of a negative mental attitude — not to mention negative forecasting. It’s like having a mental crystal ball that only predicts doom and gloom. This kind of thinking can make it hard to enjoy the present and take risks because you always assume things are going to go downhill.

3. You Dwell on Past Mistakes.

depressed woman sitting on her bed

If you’re always replaying past screw-ups in your mind like a blooper reel that never stops, that’s a red flag. This habit of dwelling on what went wrong in the past can keep you stuck and unable to move forward. It’s important to learn from mistakes, but fixating on them isn’t helpful. That will only hold you back.

4. You Struggle to Accept Compliments.

When someone gives you a compliment, do you brush it off or assume they’re just being nice? Struggling to accept kind words from others can be a sign that you’re stuck in a negative mindset. It’s like you have a filter that turns positives into negatives, and that can be exhausting.

5. You Feel Like Things Will Never Get Better.

upset woman sitting in bedroom

Believing your current situation is permanent can really drag you down. It’s a classic negative mindset trap, making you feel trapped and sapping your motivation for change. However, it’s crucial to remember that life is always in flux, and no situation is forever. You have the power to change your life if you want it enough

6. You Overgeneralize from One Bad Experience.

Letting one bad day color your entire worldview is a real mood dampener. This overgeneralization can unfairly overshadow the good days, making it seem like bad days are the only days. It’s important to remember that one off day doesn’t define all your days. Take each experience individually rather than lumping them all together.

7. You Focus Only on the Negative.

When your attention is laser-focused on the bad stuff, you end up ignoring all the positives. This selective attention can really skew your perception of the world, making it seem more negative than it actually is. Balancing your focus can help lighten the mood.

8. You Feel Disconnected from Your Achievements.

If your successes feel like they just happened by chance, it’s a sign of a negative mindset. This disconnect from your achievements can make you undervalue your efforts and skills. Remember, you played a key role in your successes; they’re not just random events.

9. You Have a Hard Time Being Happy for Others.

Struggling to share in other people’s joy can be rooted in a negative mindset. This jealousy or inability to celebrate other people’s achievements can cast a shadow on your social interactions. Celebrating other peoplee’s successes can actually boost your own mood and outlook tooo.

10. You Avoid New Experiences.

Shying away from new opportunities due to a fear of failure is a classic negative mindset trait. Avoiding the chance for change can prevent you from growing and experiencing new joys. Remember, every new experience is a chance to learn, even if it doesn’t go as planned.

11. You Have Low Expectations to Avoid Disappointment.

Setting the bar low to sidestep disappointment is a common defensive tactic. While it might seem like a safe approach, it can actually limit your potential and rob you of exciting opportunities. Aiming a bit higher can be surprisingly rewarding. Hope for the best — you might just get it!

12. You Blame Yourself for Everything.

Taking the blame for every little thing that goes wrong can be exhausting. This habit of self-blame can make you feel like you’re always at fault, even when you’re not. Recognizing that not everything is within your control can be a big relief.

13. You Feel Unlucky All the Time.

upset man with wine bottles

Believing that you’re perpetually unlucky can be a downer. This feeling might make you think that good things just don’t happen to you. However, luck is often a matter of perspective, and shifting your focus can reveal the good luck that’s been there all along. Developing a gratitude practice could just be life-changing.

14. You Dismiss Positive Feedback.

When you wave off positive feedback as just being polite or a fluke, it’s a red flag. Dismissing positivity can make it hard to see your true worth and achievements. Embracing positive feedback can be a step towards building a more balanced and positive self-view.

15. You Feel Isolated Even in a Crowd.

Feeling alone even when surrounded by people can be a sign of a negative mindset. This sense of isolation can make social situations feel draining rather than enjoyable. Remember, connections often start with opening up and sharing, even in small ways.

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Gail is Bolde's social media and partnership manager, as well as an all-around behind-the-scenes renaissance woman. She worked for more than 25 years in her city's local government before making the switch to women's lifestyle and relationship sites, initially at HelloGiggles before making the switch to Bolde.
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