Some days, it’s hard to stay hopeful about people.
You see selfishness, division, and unkindness—and it starts to feel like that’s all there is.
Our minds naturally spotlight the negative. This isn’t a character flaw; it’s biology.
Our brains evolved with a negativity bias—a tendency to notice and remember bad experiences more than good ones. Long ago, this kept our ancestors safe by helping them spot danger quickly. Today, it mostly just keeps us wary and worn out.
The media amplifies this bias. News outlets know what hooks our attention, and unfortunately, bad news does that better than good.
Alarming headlines, conflicts, scandals—they all light up our brain’s threat systems. The more clicks and views a headline gets, the more stories like that get written. Over time, the world starts to look darker than it really is.
But underneath the noise, kindness still happens. Generosity still exists. People still hold doors, comfort strangers, and look out for their neighbors.
This week is the fourth in our Challenging Conversations: Connecting When Opinions Differ series. We’re exploring ways to rebuild hope in the goodness of others when you feel discouraged.
Last week, we explored how to meet difficult emotions with self-compassion and set healthy boundaries. Once you’ve addressed your painful emotions, it’s time to start boosting the positive ones–like hope and inspiration.
How to Rebuild Hope in the Goodness of People
Once we understand how our brains lean toward the negative, we can intentionally start tipping the balance back toward the good. Hope grows when we actively seek evidence that kindness and goodness still exist—and they do.
Here are 5 ways to nurture that hope:
1. Seek out uplifting news.
Visit sites that highlight everyday goodness, like Today’s Good News or Good News Network. Their stories remind us that generosity, creativity, and compassion are thriving all around.
I felt a surge of hope & awe after reading this story: “Baker Delivers Free Birthday Cakes to Homeless People: ‘They’re Our Neighbors’”
2. Notice kindness in your community.
Pay attention to small moments of care—a driver who lets someone merge, a stranger who shares a smile, a friend who checks in. These glimpses matter.
Also look for the bigger acts—neighbors organizing a meal train, volunteers cleaning up a park, or people rallying to support a family in need. You can amplify hope further by performing a few acts of kindness yourself.
3. Strength-spot others.
Look for character strengths in action. Maybe your coworker shows perseverance on a tough project, or your neighbor displays kindness toward a lost pet. See how many strengths you can find in a day—and if you can, tell the person what you noticed. Recognizing strengths lifts both of you.
4. Practice gratitude.
Reflect on who you appreciate and why. Write it down, then let them know. Sharing gratitude not only deepens your connection with that person but also strengthens your own sense of optimism.
5. Share good stories.
Start a ripple of positivity by swapping uplifting stories with friends and family. Ask questions like, “What is the most surprising act of kindness you’ve seen lately?” or “What inspired you this week?” Emotion is contagious—let’s spread the kind that brightens the room.
Building hope doesn’t mean ignoring the world’s problems—it means remembering we’re still capable of goodness, together.
This Week’s Challenge
I’d love to hear from you!
Share a story that restores your faith in people. It could be something you witnessed, did, or read that moved you.
I’d love to hear your stories—share a story in the comments below and join the conversation. Let’s start an upward spiral of positivity!
Need Support to Build Hope?
Ready for personalized strategies?
Email me at dianna@collierclan.net for a free consultation.
Dianna Collier 