How to Manage New Year Anxiety with Positive Thinking

This guide explains:

• What positive thinking is
• Simple ways to reframe negative self-talk
• Practical tips you can use

What do we mean by “positive thinking”?

Positive thinking is looking for the good and the possible in a situation, while still acknowledging what’s tough. It can help with:

• Lower stress and better coping
• Stronger resilience and problem-solving
• Healthier habits and relationships
• Improved quality of life

How to reframe negative self-talk

Negative self-talk can be a major barrier to positive thinking. It’s the critical inner voice that can bring down your morale and make you feel bad about yourself.

These quick reframes help turn “stuck” thoughts into realistic, hopeful ones:

• “I don’t know how to do this.” ➜ “I can learn this step by step.”
  Every expert started as a beginner.
• “I can’t do this.” ➜ “I can make progress if I focus and keep going.”
  Treat tasks as challenges you can grow through.
• “I always mess things up.” ➜ “Sometimes I make mistakes and I can learn from them.”
  Failure is information, not a verdict.
• “Nothing ever changes.” ➜ “Small actions, repeated, create change.”
  Pick one small action today.

Try simple daily affirmations

Positive affirmations are simple, yet powerful, and can help change your mindset towards a more positive and empowering perspective. Affirmations are short, positive statements you repeat to build confidence and focus. Use ones that feel true and doable for you.

• “I have what I need to make today better.”
• “I’m doing my best and that’s enough for now.”
• “I’ll focus on what I can control and let go of the rest.”
• “Every day, in some way, I’m learning and growing.”
• “I choose progress over perfection.”

Practical ways to build a positive mindset

Start small – pick one or two to try this week.

1. Embrace positive influences

Spend time with people and content that uplift you. Set boundaries with conversations or media that drain you.

2. Feel all your feelings

Positive thinking isn’t about ignoring emotions. Notice what you feel – stress, frustration, hope – and name it without judgment. This helps you respond rather than react.

3. Create healthy habits

Choose one small activity that improves wellbeing – like a 10‑minute walk, listening to your favourite music, stretching or going to bed 15 minutes earlier.

4. Repeat affirmations

Start your day by saying something positive about yourself or your capabilities. Extend the positive affirmations to others too!

5. Check in with yourself

Ask, “How am I feeling? What do I need?” Taking this time is important to develop a positive mindset and recognise those difficult feelings when they arise.

6. Plan things to look forward to

This can be difficult after the festive period but allow yourself to feel excited about future events or activities. Anticipation can be a source of happiness, so plan something small to look forward to each week.

7. Practice mindfulness

Be present for everyday moments by paying close attention to your daily activities: your breathing, your next task, the taste of your food.

8. Keep a gratitude journal

Write down things you are thankful for to help shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.

9. Stay in the present

Avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, it’s tough, but try to focus on what you can control right now.

10. Focus on strengths

Think about a recent success and your role in it. Use those strengths again this week to build your self-confidence.

Key takeaways

• You don’t need to be happy all the time to be positive.
• Positive thinking is noticing what’s hard and choosing helpful actions.
• Small steps, repeated often, make the biggest difference.
• Support from others matters – and it’s okay to ask for help.