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Why I Want to Be a Glass Half Full Kind of Girl

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I have never been a glass half full kind of girl. Definitely a glass half empty. I know this. I want to change this. But yet I haven’t completely been able to. I am the type of person who sees the negative before the positive. I am envious of people who have a sunny disposition all of the time.

That being said, I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt and try and look for the good in people. I have three kids and one of them is a bit negative too. If he goes out with friends and I ask him if he had a good time, he will only tell me what went wrong or what he didn’t like. I always tell him that he should focus on something positive rather than all negative. I also tell him that there are friends for different reasons. You don’t need to like everything about that friend, but think of what you do like.

As for me, I have friends that I can talk to about anything, friends I like to be social with, friends I like to go to the movies with, etc. I might dislike or not agree with something about a friend, but I try and overlook it as I know that I am surrounded by good people in my life. I have also had to say bye to friends who aren’t good for me. That is always harder, and it’s rare, but it needs to be done.

I wish I could practice what I preach. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my mind went to all of the “what ifs.” What if it spread, what if I need chemo, what if I’m not here to see my kids grow up, and on and on. Luckily, none of that happened but it’s so hard for my mind to not go to the negative first. I mentally know that I shouldn’t. Yet I do. And I’m not just that way about cancer.

I’ve always been this way. If it’s a bad snowstorm and my husband is driving in it, I immediately think he’s going to get in accident. My oldest son goes to college in a large city and I’m afraid he will be mugged. I could list so many more things that rush through my mind daily. But I’m glad that I recognize this as an issue — isn’t that the first step in change?

At the same time, I am beyond thankful for what I do have. My kids, husband, dog, family, house and the most amazing friends. I am proud that I am an empathetic person, even if it sometimes takes a toll on me and adds to my worries. I’m not sure that I will ever be a glass half full kind of girl, but I can definitely strive to be one. Baby steps…

A version of this story originally appeared on imteamjodi.wordpress.com.

Photo credit:  krzysiekkostrubiec/Getty Images

Originally published: October 29, 2019
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