Words by Positive News August 6, 2024 Lifestyle Opinion Perspective Society Share: Politicians can be inclined to double down on a bad idea, but changing your thinking can be a strength rather than a weakness. We asked Positive News readers: what have you shifted your stance on? This is what you told us The future “ I changed my mind about the future. I am now way more positive about it.
Of course, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done but I am optimistic that we can build a better future than the media often portrays.” – Le a, Stuttgart, Germany Materialism “I thought that life was about material things –nice house, nice car, nice clothes, income – but I have realised that giving time to others and volunteering is a currency that is far more precious.” – Paul , Leeds, UK Winter “I used to think winter was bleak and lifeless, echoing that feeling within me.
When I made the connection that the leaves falling off and the slower energy is a natural cycle of life, my feelings towards winter pivoted. I found the beauty in it, embracing, even loving, the slowness that winter brought. It has completely transformed my seasonal affective disorder.
” – Chloe, Totnes, UK Solutions every Saturday Uplift your inbox with our weekly newsletter. Positive News editors select the week’s top stories of progress, bringing you the essential briefing about what's going right. Sign up Tattoos “I changed my mind about tattoos once I realised that people have been celebrating themselves by decorating their bodies for as long as there have been people.
I now frequently ask someone with a tattoo about its meaning or symbolism.When I do, it’s almost always a moving story told to me by an interesting person.” – Caroly n, New Hampshire, US Having children “Growing up, I had always assumed that I’d have kids.
However, the older I got and the more I got to know myself, the more I realised that I didn’t want to ever be defined simply by this ability to have children. By my mid-30s I was certain that I didn’t want them and now as a 45-year-old woman, I’m so glad about this decision.” – Sorcha, Ireland Other people’s shortcomings “I believed that people who can’t spell or use correct grammar aren’t intelligent.
This is absurd and I’m embarrassed to have had that bias.” – Rebecca, Adelaide, Australia Transgender rights “My son told us that he is a trans woman. This helped me to embrace a wider section of LGBTQIA+ experiences than I had previously, which has really opened up my own life.
” – Kate, UK “The ‘no debate’ stance on trans rights. Transpeople must be able to live their lives as they please and be free from discrimination – but the concerns of women matter too. In a democracy, debate must be allowed, and women must be able to speak up about their rights and about the importance of safeguarding children.
” – Jill, London, UK I am optimistic that we can build a better future than the media often portrays Eating animals “I believed that consuming animal products sparingly was acceptable. However, after a multi-year journey of exploration and understanding, I no longer wish to participate in that food system. This transition has not only aligned me more closely with my core values but has also unveiled a world of culinary discoveries.
” – Matt, New Zealand The behaviour of others “Carrying anger about my mother’s emotional abuse was causing me so much harm. I decided to change my thinking. I started to view her as an interesting specimen, as though under a microscope, considering scientifically what might have caused this troubled person to behave in such a way.
I simply changed my mind about how to view my situation and it allowed me to detach and take care of myself more lovingly. Reconciliation became a possibility, then a reality.” – Molly, Michigan, US Politics “I now believe that our representative democracy is constitutionally incapable of making climate policies sufficient to avert catastrophic climate change.
I believe citizens’ assemblies are the way forward – to supplement rather than replace our current system. I would replace the House of Lords with a House of Citizens that helps government have the mandate to make policies that will really help, but which may be hard for anyone political party to do.” – Denise, Southampton, UK Religion “I used to think that religion was a bit weird, and brainwashing.
But now, even though I’m still an atheist, I can see how much it can help people and how much good it can do in the world. Especially now, when so many people feel so lost.” – Kirsty, Anglesey, UK Monogamy “I now believe that we can love more than one person kindly and intimately and that this can be a step in becoming the whole person that we are meant to be.
” – Sue, San Diego, US Main image: Tom Merton Support solutions in 2024 Positive News is helping more people than ever to get a balanced and uplifting view of the world. While doom and gloom dominates other news outlets, our solutions journalism exists to support your wellbeing and empower you to make a difference towards a better future. But our reporting has a cost and, as an independent, not-for-profit media organisation, we rely on the financial backing of our readers.
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