Your First Step: A Simple, 7-Day Positivity Reset
Getting started doesn’t require a huge commitment or a dramatic life overhaul. The most sustainable changes often begin with a single, tiny step. Here is a simple, low-friction practice you can try for the next week. It takes only a few minutes each evening and requires nothing more than a pen and a small piece of paper, or a notes app on your phone.
The practice is called “Three Good Things,” but to make it even easier, we will start with just one. For the next seven days, just before you wind down for bed, take two minutes to identify one good thing that happened during your day. The key is to also write down why it happened. This second part is crucial because it helps you connect the good feeling to a cause, which often involves your own actions, the kindness of others, or simple circumstances worth noticing.
On Day 1, your good thing might be very simple. Perhaps you write, “I enjoyed my morning cup of coffee. It happened because I took the time to make it just how I like it instead of rushing.” This small act reinforces a sense of agency and pleasure. On Day 2, you might note, “My neighbor brought in my mail while I was out. It happened because she is a thoughtful person.” This trains your brain to notice acts of kindness around you.
By Day 4 or 5, something interesting may start to happen. You might find yourself actively looking for your “one good thing” during the day. This is the practice at work. You are shifting from retroactively finding a positive moment to proactively noticing good things as they occur. Perhaps a phone call with a friend felt especially warm, or you found the perfect book at the library. You are gently guiding your attention toward what uplifts you.
At the end of the week, take a moment to read your seven entries. They will likely form a small, tangible record of the contentment that is already present in your life. This isn’t about ignoring a difficult day; it’s about acknowledging that even on hard days, small moments of good can coexist with the challenges. This simple exercise is a powerful first step in carving that new, more positive path in your mind.
