How to Have a Positive Attitude (for Teens)

Co-authored by Evanne Torrecillas

Last Updated: May 5, 2023 Approved

Have you ever looked at people who just seem to radiate happiness and good energy and wished that you could be like them? Maybe you wondered "Why do they have so many friends? Why are they so popular? What is it about them that makes them so... well, great?" What these people have is called "a positive attitude". Having a positive attitude will help you to get what you want out of life, while having fun and being able to laugh.

1

Don't react, act!

Download Article

Be proactive and think about things ahead of time so you end up with happy moments instead of just waiting around for bad ones. ^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices
Go to source}

2

Believe that each moment is perfect, regardless of what happens later.

Download Article

Things happen. Just let it go. ^{[2]
X
Research source}

3

Be grateful.

Download Article

There's nothing wrong with having dreams or goals, but in the meantime, enjoy what you have... even though it may not be much. ^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source}

4

Seize every opportunity you have instead of regretting it later.

Download Article

When you have the chance to improve yourself or try something new, don't sit around at home and wonder and think about the pros and cons. Just jump in with two feet and do it! New experiences are a great way to help you enjoy your life. ^{[4]
X
Research source}

5

Keep your sense of humor.

Download Article

Laughing creates such a positive energy within you and those who can hear you. ^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Don't take your life too seriously... be willing to admit that yes, some moments are funny. ^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}

6

Believe that you are in charge of your destiny.

Download Article

If you have determination and will power, you can do almost anything. Success is whatever you determine it to be and you can be successful. Even when you do nothing, you are still creating your life so why not make it something to remember? ^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source}

7

Keep a journal.

Download Article

At the end of the day, write down the best thing that happened to you. Don't go into the details of your fight with your best friend, don't start writing about how your mom is completely rude and unfair. Write something good that happened or something that you realized or a cool poem or quote that you found.
- Think of one funny thing that happened that day as well if you can. Feel free to write it in your journal, next to the one good thing that happened. This will help with your sense of humor.

8

Do something special for yourself and for another person each day.

Download Article

This will help you feel better about yourself and give you something to look forward to when you get out of bed in the morning.

9

Try getting a camera.

Download Article

Take pictures of anything you want. It doesn't have to be of just your friends. Special places and favorite plants or flowers are good things to start with too.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do you keep a positive attitude after a break-up?

Evanne Torrecillas
School Counselor
Evanne Torrecillas is a School Counselor with over four years of experience in education. She specializes in working as a mental health advocate with middle school students and their caretakers. Evanne holds a BA in Political Science from The University of California, Berkeley and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling from California State University, Sacramento.

Evanne Torrecillas

School Counselor

Expert Answer

You just got dumped, and that is terrible. But that's not your whole life! You can be grateful for your friends who checked in on you, you can be grateful that you have your own room that you can be by yourself and for all the things you have to look forward to. Never forget that!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 12
Question

How can I change my attitude from negative to positive?

Evanne Torrecillas
School Counselor
Evanne Torrecillas is a School Counselor with over four years of experience in education. She specializes in working as a mental health advocate with middle school students and their caretakers. Evanne holds a BA in Political Science from The University of California, Berkeley and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling from California State University, Sacramento.

Evanne Torrecillas

School Counselor

Expert Answer

A lot of people like repeating affirmations and gratitude statements, but that's not for everyone. If that's your case, try focusing on wishes for yourself! Acknowledge that even though you're going through a bad day and are angry about things, you still have the ability to be grateful genuinely and to look forward to good things.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 10

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Try this. Gather up a bunch of rocks that are big enough to write on and small enough to fit into a bowl or vase. Then take a permanent marker and write down one thing you are grateful for on the first stone. Just write something like "my family" or "my friends" or "my school". You could even be more specific than that. For example: "my mom" or "my teacher" or "my dance instructor" or "my coach". Drop the rock into the bowl or vase, whichever you chose. Then pick up the next stone and write another thing. Keep going until you can't think of anything else. Next time you think of something to be grateful for, write it on a rock and drop it in the bowl. Every night, take out each rock, hold it and think about how you were grateful for that thing today. For example: "I was grateful for my mom today because she drove me to the mall and even though I took a really long time coming out when she came to pick me up she never said a word." or "I am grateful for my friends because today they helped me out when I really needed it." This is a great activity to help reinforce a positive attitude.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Don't be discouraged. Creating a positive attitude takes a long time and if you do the best you can to be positive on a daily basis, you will eventually get it.

Thanks
Helpful 164 Not Helpful 11
Don't judge people. You're not perfect so why should they have to be?

Thanks
Helpful 187 Not Helpful 17
Try to stop yourself from thinking bad thoughts about yourself.

Thanks
Helpful 184 Not Helpful 18
We all have our sad days. It's okay to be upset and sad. Being positive doesn't mean being perfectly happy. Just try to do your grateful rock exercise no matter what on those days. Gratefulness is still a form of positive activity.

Thanks
Helpful 70 Not Helpful 9

Things You'll Need

Rocks
Sharpie or other permanent marker
A nice bowl or vase that is special to you
A journal or nice notebook
A camera (optional)

[1]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

Log in

How to Have a Positive Attitude (for Teens)

Steps

Don't react, act!

Believe that each moment is perfect, regardless of what happens later.

Be grateful.

Seize every opportunity you have instead of regretting it later.

Keep your sense of humor.

Believe that you are in charge of your destiny.

Keep a journal.

Do something special for yourself and for another person each day.

Try getting a camera.

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories