As the seasons shift, many of us find ourselves slowing down just enough to take stock of the year we’ve had. We reflect on the challenges that stretched us, the experiences that shaped us, and the habits and people that supported us.

In this time of reflection, we may also find ourselves getting stuck on the negatives, what isn’t working, what might go wrong, or where we feel behind. Our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative. That negativity bias exists to keep us safe, and while there is a healthy time to acknowledge what’s not working, it can also pull us into overthinking and catastrophizing if we’re not careful.

If we continually focus on problems, our minds will remind us of all the things going wrong. But if we tell our mind to look for moments of joy, goodness, or hope, it will start noticing those too.

Practicing gratitude can help us redirect our attention to all that is already good and........

© Psychology Today