Positive thinking literally changed my life in the last 30 days and I’m still kinda shocked I’m even typing this sentence right now.
I’m sitting here in my tiny apartment in the US, fairy lights half-dead because I forgot to change the batteries again, half-eaten cold pizza on the coffee table, rain absolutely pounding the windows like it personally hates me, and somehow… I feel weirdly okay? Like, more than okay. Borderline hopeful. Which, if you knew me three months ago, you’d be calling bullshit right now.
Why I Finally Tried Positive Thinking (After Years of Rolling My Eyes)
I used to be that person who rolled my eyes so hard at “just think positive” advice that I gave myself a headache. Like… sure Jan, I’ll just decide to be happy while my bank account is crying and my inbox is on fire.
But late November 2025 I hit a wall. Like, a brick wall. At 2:37 a.m. Staring at the ceiling. Wondering if adulting was just a very long, expensive prank.
So I thought… fuck it. What’s the worst that can happen? I waste 30 days being annoyingly optimistic? I can always go back to being a sarcastic gremlin.
First, that classic eye-roll so hard it hurts vibe (pre-wall-hit era):
Born To Roll My Eyes”: 50 Funny And Relatable Memes For Women …
And the chaotic reality of adulting — bank account crying + inbox literally on fire:
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I started stupid small. Like embarrassingly small.
My Actual 30-Day Positive Thinking Rules (That I Broke Constantly)
- Every morning before I even get out of bed: say three things I’m grateful for (even if it’s just “coffee exists” and “I didn’t die in my sleep”)
- When something shitty happens, force myself to say out loud: “Okay… what’s the lesson or the hidden gift here?” (I sounded like a fake guru and hated every second at first)
- Write one single positive affirmation on a sticky note and put it somewhere I’d see it 50 times a day (mine said “I am figuring it out” because anything more flowery felt like lying)
- No complaining out loud after 8 p.m. (I failed this one 19 out of 30 days lol)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: The first week of forcing positive thinking feels fake as hell. Like you’re acting in a play where you hate the script and everyone can tell.
But around day 9–10… something creepy happens. Your brain starts… believing you? A little?
Like when I spilled an entire iced matcha latte all over my laptop bag at the coffee shop and instead of screaming internally, I muttered “well… at least it wasn’t hot coffee” and then actually laughed. Out loud. Alone. People stared. I didn’t even care.
Weird flex, but okay.
The Science That Actually Made Me Take It Seriously
I’m not just vibing here—there’s real research that made me stop thinking this was all woo-woo nonsense.
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular positive thinking is linked to better stress management, stronger immunity, and even a longer lifespan (wild, right?).
Also, a famous study from Barbara Fredrickson on the “broaden-and-build” theory basically says positive emotions literally help your brain see more possibilities and build better long-term resources.
So yeah… science was telling me my sarcastic ass might actually benefit from this positivity experiment.
The Biggest Wins (and the Embarrassing Fails)
Wins:
- I finished two freelance projects I’d been procrastinating on for months
- I cried way less about things that used to ruin entire days
Fails (so many):
- Day 14 I rage-texted my best friend at 11 p.m.: “POSITIVE THINKING IS A CAPITALIST SCAM I HATE EVERYONE”
- I accidentally put an affirmation sticky note on my bathroom mirror that said “I am enough” and then spent three days avoiding eye contact with myself
- I told my mom I was “manifesting abundance” and she asked if I joined a cult
Anyway.
If You’re Thinking About Doing Your Own 30-Day Positive Thinking Challenge…
Just start stupid small. Don’t try to become a sunshine-and-rainbows person overnight. You’ll hate it and quit.
