Brainwash Yourself: The Conscious Choice to Reprogram Your Mind

What you feed your brain matters. Here are six tips to create a more positive outlook.

When we hear the word brainwashing, we usually imagine something negative that some evil hypnotist does to us. Well, I'm here to tell you that you can brainwash YOURSELF… in a positive way.

The Inspiration for the Antidote to Negativity

Back in January 2017, after the Trump presidential inauguration, my friends on social media unleashed a barrage of negativity and hopelessness. Some people offered insightful observations, but most just complained.

I also noticed that the news was mirroring my social media feed: negativity, division, despair. My days became filled with stress as I was subjected to disturbing images and provocative stories.

So I decided to take a bold step. I stopped watching the news. That's right, no more Crisis News Network (CNN), no more opinionated diatribes from the “experts” on Fox News and MSNBC.

Self Interventions for a Positive Mindset

Another step I took was to unfollow a number of friends who posted political stuff. I felt a little guilty at first, but the lack of negative news was refreshing.

At this time, I also began to populate my social media feeds with positive quotes, nature photography, and videos from people like Tony Robbins and Eckhart Tolle. I felt a bit like a positive-thinking lemming, and I felt guilty for ignoring the world and all its problems.

But I wanted to keep the experiment going. I had made a conscious choice to brainwash myself with positivity. I was curious to see what would happen if I kept going.

I began to refine my brainwashing. I put positive messages on post-its, and stuck them on my computer screen at work. I stopped following fraudulent positive-thinking hucksters, and tuned in to the ones who resonated with me.

Soon, I began to notice I had almost nothing negative to focus on. What a concept! I slept better at night, had more energy, and started smiling at strangers on public transit. What's more, I felt energized to tackle my own immediate worries. I was no longer overwhelmed with the entirety of the world's problems.

So flash forward, after 9 months of positive brainwashing, I'm happy to report that my overall stress level is way lower, I have more energy, and I still smile at people on public transit.

What happened to me? I made a conscious CHOICE to focus on the positive. The initial choice has now become HABIT.

6 Tips for a Positive Mindset

So, are you ready to begin your positive brainwashing campaign? Here’s your checklist:

1.  Stop watching the news. It’s scripted to get you addicted to drama and negativity. Really. If you must get your news fix, pick one day of the week to catch up, and get it in written form, not video.

2.  Unfollow negative social media feeds. All of them. Even your friends’ feeds if necessary (don’t worry, they’ll be okay).

3.  Try positive follows. Start following some positive daily quotes on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media apps.

4.  Use the power of comedy. Watch one funny YouTube video or standup comedy clip per day.

5.  Buy some post-its. Write down a positive quote that resonates with you and put it where you can see it.

6.  Make a “post-it booby trap.” Write down a cool quote or message and stick the post-it in your freezer, or inside a jacket pocket. You’ll find it later and be (hopefully) pleasantly surprised.

Try some of these tactics for a week. See what happens. At first you may notice a craving to watch the news. That’s what happens when you quit an addiction. 🤔

But hang in there, stick with your positivity campaign, and you will see a shift in your daily mood. Happy brainwashing! 🧠

PS: After writing this post, I thought I would clarify that positive brainwashing does not mean being apathetic or engaging in denialism. I am simply encouraging you to take control of what you let into your mind.

So STAY STRONG everyone! You are in control of your mind, and what you feed it.

I'll leave you with a video called Stop Watching the News. Check it out!

Stop Watching the News | One Day Challenge