Glass half full/glass half empty?

[Shadow1986]

I’m beginning to feel like I’m a ‘glass half empty’ type of person….when I look back at the early days of having children I quite often can only remember the really challenging times. There were so many good times so why do I focus on the bad? And I’m quite quick to talk myself out of things with various negative reasons. Another example, if someone asks if I’m excited for holiday I’m usually quick to moan about packing and travelling as I hate flying etc. Why am I like this?!

I have had some hard times recently including death of a parent so I don’t know if I’m feeling down and that’s not helping my overall mood. I really want to have a more positive attitude but I don’t know how to change it!

Can anyone recommend any books, or any strategies you’ve used to become overall a more positive person?!

It is human nature to focus on bad events more than the good ones. It is just your minds way if trying to protect you from bad things. Your perspective if whether you are half full or half empty types depends on where you are in your life journey. Negative moods fuel negative ideation, so if things are going poorly you will naturally revert to a pessimist view point. Annoying isn't it

Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson. Very easy to follow. Backed by science.

I would say the opposite from what *DRS1970 said.
I think we are hard wired to look back through rose tinted glasses, and generally focus on all the positives rather than the negatives.

OP , one thing that I've heard working for a lot of people is to think of 3 things every day that made you smile, or that you are thankful for. Can be really tiny things.
Some people with a faith will 'give thanks' for them.
Others might write them in a notebook or diary.
Some people just 'think of' things before they go to sleep at night.

But it gets your subconscious into "looking for the good" in any situation.