How To Make a Positivity Jar To Increase Positive Thinking

Have you ever found yourself caught in a whirlwind of negative thoughts and just couldn’t seem to shake them off? Trust me, I’ve been there too. It is so easy to get bogged down in the negative aspects of daily life – even when there are more positives to consider. That’s exactly why I want to introduce you to the concept of a Positivity Jar. They are an amazingly simple way to rewire your brain to see positives before negatives.

So, what exactly is a Positivity Jar? Simply put, it’s a jar where you collect positive notes, affirmations, and memories. The idea is to fill it with reminders of the good things in life so that when you’re feeling down, you have a go-to source of inspiration and encouragement. It’s like having your own personal positivity tool you can dip into whenever you need a boost.

Positive thinking can transform your life in ways you might not even imagine. It can boost your confidence, enhance your creativity, and improve your mental health. A Positivity Jar is a simple tool for creating this mindset.

• Inspiration: Having a jar full of positive messages can inspire you to pursue your goals and aspirations.
• Mindfulness: It encourages you to reflect on the positives, creating a mindful and grateful attitude.
• Self-care: Adding to your jar is a form of self-care, reminding you to focus on yourself and your well-being.

Let’s face it: Most of us find it easier to focus on what we haven’t done or what’s gone wrong than on what went well. In fact, if you have 20 things on a to-do list with 15 items ticked off and five not touched, I wonder how likely you are to stew over the five items not moved. It sounds silly, but it really isn’t our fault!

There are psychological explanations for this behaviour. Our minds are often skewed by a negativity bias, a phenomenon where negative events have a more substantial impact on our psychological state than neutral or positive events. So, while it sounds a tad absurd, fretting over those untouched to-dos has roots in our very nature.

But knowing this, we can start to consciously shift our perspective and train ourselves to appreciate the good rather than the not-so-good.

This is why we should all collect all those wonderful positive things in a positivity jar to help capture the good things in our lives.

A positivity jar is a fantastic tool to combat the negativity bias. It’s simple: whenever something good happens, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. This could be anything from a compliment you received, a goal you accomplished, or even just a moment that made you smile.

Then, at the end of the year, or whenever you need a boost, open your jar and read through all the wonderful things that happened. It’s a powerful reminder that, despite the challenges, there’s always something to be grateful for.

What You Need to Create a Positivity Jar

Don’t worry, you won’t need a long list of fancy supplies. In fact, you probably have most of these items lying around your house already. But just in case, I’ve got some links to help you out!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Jar: Any jar will do. A mason jar is a popular choice because it’s clear and sturdy. But you can use anything from an empty jam jar or coffee jar, to a vintage container you found at a thrift store. The size is up to you, but make sure it can hold all your positive notes. I use this Kilner jar – I’ve had it for about 8 years and it is still going strong.
• Coloured Paper: Grab some colourful paper or sticky notes to write your positive thoughts on. I always think the brighter, the better. But really, you can just cut up some printer paper. If you’re looking to purchase, check out these options on Amazon:
  • IOOLEEM Origami Paper – 1000 Sheets in 20 Colours
  • Opret Origami Paper – 100 Sheets in 50 Vivid Colours
  • Mintra Office Memo Pads (pastel)
  • Sticky Notes (3×3 Inches) in Bright Colours
• Pens: Use any pen or marker you love. Different colours can make your notes even more cheerful. Here are a few options you might like to try:
  • iBayam Journal Planner Coloured Pens
  • Mr. Pen Retractable Gel Pens – 12 Pack
  • Amazon Basics Felt Tip Marker Pens – 12-Pack
  • BIC Gelocity Quick Dry Assorted Colours – 12 Pack
  • Colourful Fine Point Pens for Bullet Journaling

Now, if you’re feeling extra crafty and want to jazz up your jar, here are some optional materials to consider:

• Stickers: Personalise your jar with some fun stickers. You can find a variety of stickers on Amazon that suit your style.
• Decorations: Think ribbons, washi tape, or even some glitter. It doesn’t take much to add a touch of flair.
• Labels: Create a label for your jar with a motivational title like “Jar of Positivity” or “Happy Thoughts Jar“.

The great thing about a Positivity Jar is that it’s entirely customisable and can look however you would like it to look. So, you might as well have some fun with it.

How to Use Your Positivity Jar

Now that you’ve created your Positivity Jar, it’s time to make it a part of your daily life.

Aim to add at least one new note each week. Whether it’s a compliment from a friend or a personal accomplishment, write it down and toss it in. Whenever something makes you smile or feel grateful, jot it down immediately. The more, the merrier.

The point is to fill your jar with scraps of paper: simple, right? On a scrap of paper, you write anything positive that’s happened, you’ve done, heard, seen, or experienced.

If you do this with an open mind and with love for yourself, by the end of the year your jar should be crammed full of lovely little gems of happiness.

But, I know, life can get busy, and it’s easy to forget about our beloved positivity jar. Here’s how to keep it top of mind:

• Digital Reminders: Set a weekly reminder on your phone to spend a few minutes with your jar.
• Calendar Blocks: Block out time in your calendar for a “Positivity Session.” Treat it like an appointment with yourself

Filling Your Jar with Positivity

Filling up your jar might seem hard to start with because, often, when people try to think of positives, they desperately search for big sparkly things that have happened.

The things you write down don’t need to be big nor sparkly.

What to Write on Your Notes

Staring at a blank piece of paper can feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of possibilities to get you started:

• A fun trip
• Nailed it! Moments
• A treat you got yourself
• New music discoveries
• Little poems
• A to-do list entirely ticked off
• Mark your progress in a challenge
• A quote you’ve heard or read
• Something your child said
• A great book you’ve read
• Something simple that made you laugh or smile
• A goal achieved
• A fantastic meal

Recommended Positivity Books

You’re all set with your positivity jar, but if you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of positive thinking and gratitude, I’ve got some great books lined up for you:

• The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan: This book is a lovely read that chronicles the author’s year-long journey of living gratefully. It’s packed with insights and anecdotes that can inspire you to add more gratitude to your daily routine.
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: Join Gretchen on a year-long adventure to become happier. Her practical tips and experiments might just give you some “happy jar ideas” to incorporate into your own life.
• Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn: Although not directly about positivity, this book offers simple practices to bring mindfulness into your life. It’s a great read for those looking to enhance their positivity jar practice with mindfulness.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it—the magic of a positivity jar in a nutshell! By now, you hopefully realise how this simple jar can be a powerful tool to boost your mental well-being. From providing daily doses of encouragement to acting as a charming keepsake of all the good times, a positivity jar is a gentle reminder of the positive affirmations and happy moments in life.

So, why not try creating your own positivity jar? It’s an easy and fun project, and you might just find it to be a source of joy and reflection in your daily routine. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to share kindness and even a thoughtful gift idea for someone who could use a little positivity.

If you decide to make a positivity jar, I’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your thoughts or any creative positivity jar ideas you’ve come up with.