The Verywell Mind Podcast How to Look for the Good In Life By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Updated on January 20, 2023 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 185 More About the Podcast Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Friday Fix: Episode 185 Sometimes our thoughts are extremely negative. In those instances, it’s important to reframe those thoughts with more realistic ways of thinking. But sometimes our negative thoughts aren’t exaggerated. They’re a realistic portrayal of just how difficult life is. When your thoughts are accurate, reframing doesn’t work. Instead, it’s an opportunity to look for the good things going on around you—even when they’re occurring alongside some not-so-good things. No matter how difficult your circumstances might be, there may also be some positive things happening, but you might not be noticing them. When life has thrown you some serious curveballs or your mental health is declining, it’s tough to see the positive things going on around you. But noticing the bad, however, is easy. You might find your brain automatically focuses on the worst thing that happened or it might constantly predict negative outcomes. Those kinds of thoughts affect how you feel and how you behave. If you aren’t careful, your thoughts can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to look for the good in life. It’s important to note though, that looking for the good isn’t the same as toxic positivity. So, in today’s episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I explain how to look for the good in life in a healthy way. 5 Ways You May Be Making Things Harder for Yourself More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors. Thank you. For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here. Download the Transcript Links and Resources Follow Amy Morin on Instagram Check out Amy’s books on mental strength If You Liked This Episode You Might Also Like These Episodes: Friday Fix: Is Looking on the Bright Side Actually Good for Your Mental Health? Stop the Toxic Positivity With Bestselling Author Nora McInerny How to Be Sad With Bestselling Author Helen Russell Using Learned Optimism in Your Life By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.