How to be optimistic when the world around us is so full of negativity

This time of year, there’s a lot of positivity and optimism in the air. For some, depending on their circumstances, it can be a bit much.

That’s not to say we don’t welcome the new year or look forward to what it has to bring. But for many—seniors in particular—a rosy outlook takes a bit more work.

“There’s a huge pressure on everyone to welcome the New Year with happiness and optimism, but it’s not always easy. There is a lot of suffering in the world and things seem out of our control,” says local REALTOR® Gwen Price, who hosts her own video/podcast Sudbury Talks with Gwen Price.

“For some seniors who have just come through the holiday season, there may be a lack of enthusiasm as we march into another year. Perhaps they were alone during the holidays. Perhaps they lost a loved one in 2022 and their absence was felt at the celebrations. Perhaps they have health issues and feel like they just don’t want to go on in ill health and the thought of another year in pain is more than they can bear. Perhaps they feel time is racing by and they will be another year older, another year closer to the end of life.”

Resolutions vs. what actually works

Everyone is asked what their New Year’s resolutions are, as if it’s a rite of passage. And yet, the failure rate for New Year’s resolutions is huge—only 9-12% of people keep them.

It’s hard to welcome a new year when you feel sad, depressed and sick. Of course, one reason could be due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons”, according to the Mayo Clinic.

So how do we face another year with optimism and happiness?

“For myself, I look forward to the new year with excitement, but also a bit of fear,” admits Price. “I look forward to new beginnings, new interactions and meeting new people. I love to network for that reason. I’m always learning about new things. I love technology and learning new programs. My brain never shuts off. I think seniors need to always be interacting with others and to always be learning. You are never too old.”

As a self-employed REALTOR®, she is currently bombarded by lots of negative news about the economy, interest rates, housing costs, etc.

“When you are in commission-based real estate sales, the start of a new year means starting with zero income, unless you have closings that have carried forward. Will I ever sell another house? Will the economy get worse and I’ll have no income? Those are the things that can lead me to a negative outlook, which in turn can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Price has developed several tactics to combat this. When she feels overwhelmed by worry and doubt, she literally stops dead in her tracks. Then, she takes one baby step forward, and then another and another.

“I also choose the people that I surround myself with. Too much drama, too much negativity and I either release them if they are a client or if they are a personal contact, I reduce my interaction,” she says.

She also tries not to pay too much attention to the negative news out there, in all forms of media. “It’s not that I don’t know what’s happening in the world, but I don’t wrap myself up in it,” says Price. She knows that some of what is broadcast to the masses is true and some is not, so she is careful to check sources. “Also, I personally share positive articles about the good that people are doing locally and further afield. I try to avoid getting into political discussions and instead share whatever programs might help seniors.”

One of the other things she does is help others, donating to favourite charities, such as PetSave Sudbury and The Go-Give Project, what she can monetarily. She also supports local business owners as much as she can. She shares their business information and successes as much as possible on social media, and the same is true for charities, whether she gives to them or not.

“I believe in sharing others’ successes. I try to live by these words: ‘Another’s success doesn’t diminish my own.’ I’m not sure where or when I first heard those words or even if it’s verbatim, but they echo in my brain. When you help someone else, it changes your outlook on the world. It becomes a kinder, gentler place and your personal negativity melts away. I think it helps rewire your brain,” says Price.

Psychologists often talk about the importance of cognitive re-framing, which can help with negative thoughts. It involves shifting your perspective by replacing negative or flawed thought patterns with more positive and realistic ones, which can help improve your mood and mental health.

Some great resources

Here in Sudbury, the Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) has an Older Adult Senior Support program that helps seniors with their mental health. Recently, Price had an episode on her tv program, Ageing in Action, about NISA.

She also recommends the following articles:

Some advice for 2023

According to Price, the economy is putting some seniors—especially senior women who have never worked outside the home and who live on government pensions—in a difficult position.

“I want them to ask for help. Too often, they feel ashamed to ask for help. What I have found is that people want to help when they are asked. They just need to know how they can,” she says.

She is choosing to be optimistic for the new year. “I choose to be optimistic because there was a time I would try to hide under the covers and hope the problem would just go away. It never does. You have to get up every day and face the day, no matter what lies ahead. Often, your mind has made the situation worse than it actually is.”

She believes that together we can make the world a better place.

“It’s a cliche and I have been accused of being a Pollyanna, but I can’t do otherwise. I could be angry 24/7 but I choose not to be because it eats away at a person. Are there justifiable reasons to be angry? For sure, but there are people angry all the time and behind the anger, is pain. Sometimes, you have to get through the pain to find the joy that there is in life. I don’t have all the answers, but there is help out there and, of course, there are therapists that can help. I’m lucky that I have a supportive family and a husband who is my ‘at home’ therapist. He talks me through my doubts and fears,” she says.

“I think we put expectations on ourselves to be more, do more and have more, and the lack of those can make you miserable. I’m at a stage where I want to live a simpler life. I no longer strive to keep up with others or compare myself to others with envy. I’m happy with myself and what I have. I’ll start planning my garden for spring and other renos I want to do and that makes me look to the future with a positive outlook and optimism.”

Says Price, “We can’t solve all the problems and pain in the world. I believe we can only try to make our small part of it better and then maybe it will have a ripple effect. I’m sending warm wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy new year. You’re not alone in this world.”

For more information, visit Gwen Price Homes or call 705-561-2335.

How to be optimistic when the world around us is so full of negativity

Resolutions vs. what actually works

Some great resources

Some advice for 2023

She believes that together we can make the world a better place.

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