Some people are more prone to negativity. There are a lot of reasons why people react negatively more often than not. Some reasons include-
- Being the victim of abuse or trauma
- Being raised in a negative-focused environment
- Living with a personality disorder
- Suffering from depression or chronic illness
Negative situations reinforce negative mindsets. That makes sense, because people tend to believe what they experience. If you feel badly because you are in chronic pain, it makes sense that you don’t see anything good about the situation. Often, it’s after the storm has passed that you can see something positive that was co-existing with the negative situation at the time. It’s through hindsight that many people adopt a positive mindset about a negative situation.
Our personalities contribute to our outlook on life. Personality traits that are easy-going and hopeful make optimism easier. Traits that are darker can increase the likelihood of a pessimistic life’s view. There are a wide range of traits that make up someone’s personality. 3 personality traits that can amplify negativity are-
- Sensitivity
- Rumination
- Isolation
- Sensitive people tend to be more negative- High sensitivity is a contributing trait for a negative mindset. Sensitive people often find themselves easily offended and often take impersonal things, personally. This can increase fear, anxiety, depression, and make them more negative. Some sensitive people feel like life happens to them rather than them controlling their lives. This victim mindset contributes to the belief that bad things happen more often than good things. In their minds, something positive happening is the exception to the rule and generally unexpected.
- Ruminating on thoughts and ideas leads to negativity- People who are unable to drop a negative thought have a harder time being positive. Some people ruminate on situations expanding them in their minds. Overanalyzing conversations, dwelling on thoughts or ideas can lead to reinforced negativity. While it’s possible to hold a thought captive and change it, some people are more inclined to sit and stew over something negative and make it a much bigger deal than it really is.
- Isolation leads to a negative mindset- Being away from other people can lead to depression, reduced mental capacity, and loneliness. Even introverts who thrive on their own, need moderate access to other people. The more isolated someone is from their family, community, and society, the harder it is to be positive. The lack of exposure to wonder, delight, and positive engagement can affect optimism. Sometimes being alone is refreshing and helps build a positive attitude, but prolonged isolation can damage your mental health and lead to a negative mindset.
Our personalities play into how positive or negative we tend to be. Our personalities drive our routines including how we think and behave. People who are highly sensitive towards others and often overthink things, may have a harder time being optimistic. Additionally, holding on to troubling thoughts like a dog with a bone, can lead to a greater tendency to be negative. Finally, isolation from positive people and experiences can diminish a positive attitude and replace it with negativity.
