How to I fake it until I make it?

Post date: 2019-07-18 17:32:15

How do I cultivate a persona of optimism and positivity so I can become more successful in both my professional and personal lives? I'm feeling down right now but know nobody wants to see that.

I'm in a position where I need to act/feel positive and optimistic more often in order for my life to get back on track. How do you pretend to act positive/optimistic when you're actually depressed and feeling hopeless much of the time? I'm a single almost 35F who is moving back home due to losing a job and being unable to get a new one yet. The last few years also caused burnout (death of parent, going back to school) and I think I'm still recovering from that.
While I can fake optimism and confidence for a short time (for something like a job interview or first date), I would like to be able to do this for longer periods of time. Are there certain thought processes one can use to fool myself into acting happy/positive when I'm in public or someone else at least? I've been told I should be more grateful for things, but it's personally hard when my personal and professional life have both stalled.
I also would like to cultivate a better persona because I want to get serious about dating, which in the past has only made me feel worse about myself. It's hard being rejected, but I need to build myself up to handle that. I also know no one wants to date someone who isn't positive.
I don't have money for talk therapy now but have appreciated it in the past. Also, I don't think I can fool myself enough to become more positive in private, it feels too exhausting right now and just want to get over the hump .

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