Life, Actually: Good Vibes

good vibes

Something I’ve been thinking a lot lately is about people and the energy they carry around with them. It’s kind of obvious, right? I’ve always tried to surround myself with people who have that positive energy, and to try my best to be one of those people myself… and I’ve always believed that life will give you back what you put into it. That if you think positively, and treat the universe as best you can, it will do the same for you. Isn’t that like, the law of attraction or something? Granted, I know there are exceptions to the rule. Bad things happen to good people every day and I never can explain it.  Still… as a general rule to live by, if you put good vibes out into the world, you’ll get good things back.

I am a pretty positive person, most of the time – but no one is perfect… we all have our ups and downs and sometimes its a struggle to put on a smile and be positive.  But on those days I have to just try a little harder.  Smile at the up doorman on the way to work…  crack a joke to my coworkers… compliment a stranger… and so on.  And I usually feel even a little better after that.

This fashion week, the best compliment I got was not about how I looked or what I was wearing. It came from two of my friends, at different points throughout the week.  Nicolette and Jenni both told me I’d never looked happier and that I had great energy.  Not better. Not younger. Not skinnier. Happier. And that felt really good. And I realized then and there that in that moment, I did actually feel really happy. And that felt really awesome.

A lot of you emailed me earlier in the year when things weren’t so good, asking what I do to stay positive and feel better. For me, it is just finding one small thing to be happy about – and focusing all my energy on that.  So – when things are bad or you feel like you are in a rut, try to think of at least one good thing in your life. Let that be the thing that guides you. If nothing is good at that moment, think of one attainable thing/goal that you know you can accomplish. Even if your goal is to get out of bed or make it through the day without crying… or to find the time to have a cup of tea with a close friend. Focus on that one small thing… and think about how good it will feel when you get to where you want to be. Take it one tiny step at a time, and you’ll get there. It might not come overnight, or even for a few months… but you will get there. I really believe that by putting good vibes out, you’ll get good things back. Good vibes, only, friends… it works!

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19 Comments

  1. Polly Rowan:

    That is such a great compliment to have – happiness is the most important thing! I love this post and I really needed it right now. I just left a comment on a post of yours back in November about feeling happy for the first time since your break up. I am going through a very difficult one at the moment and nothing seems good or positive right now. So I am going to try and focus on the really little things 🙂
    Thank you.

    2.13.14 Reply
  2. Stefanie // Life on the Squares:

    such good advise grace! I was thinking the same thing – you were glowing with happiness in all your instagrams! glad to see you’re doing well : ) and love the blonde do!

    XO, Stefanie
    Life on the Squares

    2.13.14 Reply
  3. Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache:

    This is a great post. I truly believe the energy of those around you really affects you as well and I’ve been trying to be positive as I struggle professional these past few weeks. I’m happy to say I’ve just accepted a position with a bunch of people who I think have the best energy I’ve seen collectively, and never professionally and I can’t wait to start.

    2.13.14 Reply
  4. Stefanie // Life on the Squares:

    advice***** ha ha

    2.13.14 Reply
  5. jillian (@cornflakedreams):

    this is really great 🙂 i try to be positive (although the NEVER-ending winter is starting to get to me). i absolutely agree that you should try to surround yourself with positive people! lift each other up, dont bring each other down xo jillian – cornflake dreams

    2.13.14 Reply
  6. Jordan {Queen of LA}:

    when i first went away to college, i was so, so, SO homesick. didnt think i was gonna make it. my mom told me the ONLY way i was going to get used to my new surroundings was to pick one thing to look forward to every single day. even if that meant the starbucks i was gonna grab when i was done with classes for the day or a silly sorority event that evening, i had to focus on that one fun special thing – and then when it was done, pick a new thing to look forward to. im years out of college now but i still do that every single day – pick something to look forward to that evening or the next day or the upcoming weekend… it makes all the not-so-fun-stuff doable while you wait for the good things to come.

    2.13.14 Reply
  7. Corinne:

    This is such a great post and a true remind to look for the positive in lif. When we’re going through really tough times it may be hard, but remembering 1 great thing in your life (your puppy, signifiant other, family or just a hot bath) can lift you enough to keep ploughing through.

    http://www.thelifescout.com/

    2.13.14 Reply
  8. Sasha:

    I totally agree wit you, I think that the happiespeople are the onrs who can find good things in every situation! And I also think that eceryone is responsible for his own happiness!
    http://www.whatsashawears.com

    2.13.14 Reply
  9. ghazalehk:

    This is a great post. I agree that it’s important to look for the positive in every situation. But let’s face it, even the happiest people get those days or weeks where it seems like everything is going wrong. It’s all about appreciating and finding happiness in the little things. I was having a really terrible day last week, and decided to cook myself a nice dinner and watch some Curb… as I began to laugh at the show, I realized LIFE IS GOOD. I can make myself a nice dinner and watch my TV show. It’s all about perspective. It takes awhile to get there. I’m glad you’re feeling happier and spreading the positive energy!

    2.13.14 Reply
  10. darlingsoffortune:

    how wonderful to read this from you!

    2.13.14 Reply
  11. Gabrielle | Savvy Home:

    Cheers to good vibes and happiness girl! Happy to hear you’re feeling great 🙂 xoxo

    2.13.14 Reply
  12. Erica:

    Great post and a great attitude! So glad to hear you’re so happy that your friends can see it.

    2.13.14 Reply
  13. bclaire:

    I love your awesome and inspiring posts and positive attitude! Even in your pics you just glow with happiness.

    2.14.14 Reply
  14. Miro - Dose of Dash:

    Lovely post, Grace, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you’re doing something nice for yourself today.

    I’ve been thinking about this lately, too. When a ton of things are going wrong it’s our (my) instinct to say, “why ME? why can’t I catch a break?!” And as cheesy as this sounds, I started to think differently while watching the Olympics last weekend. I cringe and feel SO bad for those girls that just wipe out in ice skating – it’s their biggest dream and it’s ruined. But what really struck me for the first time is that they DO NOT hesitate, not even for a split second. They just keep going as if nothing happened and perform with all their heart and soul. This is admirable to me and something I’m trying to emulate myself. Brush it off and don’t let it phase you; be a professional.

    2.14.14 Reply
  15. Hannah:

    I love this message and completely agree that what you put out comes back to you. However, ever since spending last summer interning in Chicago and being in the “real world” (I’m in my final year of college), I have found myself assuming that everyone is out to take advantage of me. Some bad experiences have led me to believe this, but with my new guard up all the time I’ve found less good vibes returned my way. It’s a conundrum for sure, one I hope to overcome post-college.

    2.17.14 Reply