Have you ever thought about the way you see and speak to yourself, and noticed how this shapes the world around you? Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a tendency to take a pessimistic outlook on life, and I used to see the bad in everything. I’m sure I’m not alone in this feeling. Psychological research suggests that humans in general suffer from a negativity bias, which simply means we have a tendency to focus on the negative stimuli in our lives and dwell on past negative experiences.
Another explanation for my pessimism can be attributed to the fact I have ‘negative affectivity’, meaning a genetic tendency to experience more negative emotions. I read about this concept in by Jonathan Haidt (Cornerstone, £10.99), while on my quest to acquire a more positive mindset. I realised that while by nature I may be predisposed to a more negative outlook – especially as someone who has endured adversity – I can ultimately choose my own mindset through hard work and learned
