3 Ways Turn Your Negative Moments Into Learning Experiences

It is likely that thus far in your life, you have experienced a few very negative situations. None of us like anything negative, or at least I assume this. Negative energy, and especially negative moments in our lives definitely have an impact on who we are. 

It’s also really easy to get caught up in these particular memories and this allows them to shape our perspectives about things. Perhaps you have had very unfortunate luck and have been subject to being exposed to a great deal of disheartening events. Or, maybe you’ve had just one very disappointing moment in your life that has affected how you feel into the present and about the future. 

Whatever your situation is, we can agree that these experiences may not be joyful but they can serve a greater purpose that isn’t necessarily a negative one. People always repeat that ever so common saying, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. However, what they don’t say is that it also doesn’t have to make you feel sad forever. 

It’s All About Perspective 

It almost sounds too easy to be true but your mind is a very powerful thing. Of course some moments in our lives will lead us down paths of self-doubt and insecurity but this can be seen as a temporary path. 

Each situation is unique to itself just like people are, so naturally the recovery period can vary for this. However, the main point is that the feelings of self-doubt and sadness can and will pass if you want them too. 

Your situation can be greatly influenced by your own, personal mindset. Remember that you can control how you handle the circumstance; it does not have to or get to own your life. 

If you try thinking about the situation from the standpoint of a learning experience rather than as just a moment of loss or disappointment, you’ll start to feel better about the past event. 

Self-Reflection Instead of Self-Deprecation

Whenever negative things happen in our lives, it’s easy to fall victim to the cycle of self-deprecating oneself. Whatever has happened, has most likely made you doubt something in your life that you valued or believed in. When we put our heart into something and are let down, this influences how we feel about life in general. 

We will tend to feel disheartened or defeated by the situation, even if it’s only temporary. 

Try to see beyond this low point and place your focus elsewhere. Look at this as a moment to use for self-reflection and a greater understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. Very little good can come from harping on your flaws. 

Use this time as a chance to self-reflect on where you are in your life and celebrate that. You’ve come a long way because you’re strong not because you’ve felt badly about yourself. 

Be Honest With Yourself

I’m not a believer in feeling sorry for yourself for more than an hour, but it is important to have an honest conversation with yourself about the past event or events that have influenced you. 

In order to feel more constructive about what occurred, try asking yourself if you truly could have done something differently. If you could have, write that down or make a mental note. Sometimes in life we make mistakes, and that’s okay as long as we choose to learn from it.

 You can remind yourself to reference this moment later on in a different situation. You can use it as a new tool that can possibly make a difference in the future. 

On the other hand, make a note if you could not have done something to alter the events. Life is typically beyond our own control, and you can absolutely not blame yourself for that. The sooner we accept that fate is out of our hands, the quicker we can get ourselves back on our feet. 

Regardless of whether you could or could not have changed the outcome, this presents a sense of closure to our minds. The sooner we know if we truly made a mistake or if we just were handed a bad card, the sooner we can move on to the next best thing.