The Moment I Realised I Wanted to Change My Mindset

It was one of those seemingly normal evenings, sharing food and drinks with my family when something unexpected happened—a moment of clarity that sparked a deep shift within me.

For most of my life, I considered myself a realist. I accepted that life was tough, believing that cynicism and negativity were just part of the package. I wasn’t aware of how much that mindset coloured my interactions with others, nor how much inner turmoil it created. It was like I had unknowingly become defined by my own negativity.

But that evening, my brother-in-law Eli said something that changed everything. We were casually talking about family blood types—a topic that had come up in previous conversations—when Eli, with a playful laugh, said;

"I’ll always remember Tamryn’s blood type. It’s B(E) NEGATIVE."

Everyone laughed, including me. But deep down, something shifted. Did I really want to be known as the negative one? Was that how others saw me? The joke landed differently, leaving a lasting impression that sparked a curiosity about myself I hadn’t explored before.

Years later, I told Eli about this realisation. He immediately felt bad and apologised, thinking he had unintentionally hurt me, but by then, I was in a place of gratitude. That moment, though lighthearted, was the catalyst I needed to begin examining my mindset. It made me question whether I wanted to continue being defined by negativity or if I could rewrite that narrative.

Looking back, that simple comment ignited a journey of transformation that I might never have embarked on otherwise. The mindset shift I’ve experienced since then feels like magic. I can see how far I’ve come, how much my internal landscape has changed, and how subtle moments of awareness can open the door to profound growth.

Sometimes, the moments that change us are the ones we least expect. And for me, that lighthearted joke was the spark that led to a whole new chapter of my life.