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You can choose hope. 5 ways to become a ‘hopefulist’

You can consciously choose hope in your life.

A hopefulist. Technically, it’s not a word, but we think it deserves to be. A hopefulist is a person who chooses, cultivates, and practices hope.

Life Coach Tiffany Peterson believes choosing to be hopeful isn’t just about waiting for optimism to come naturally. It’s a deliberate decision to create and live a life filled with more joy, positivity, and purpose.

 

Tiffany explained that as humans, our brains are wired for survival—constantly scanning for threats and problems. While this is useful for staying safe, it also means that hope and gratitude don’t always come naturally. Instead, we must choose to practice hope, much like we practice gratitude or kindness.

Hope as a Choice

Boyd Matheson, host of Inside Sources on KSL NewsRadio, offered an interesting perspective. He noted that between pessimism and optimism lies hope—something we have control over. This resonates with the idea that although life may pull us toward negativity, hope is always within our reach.

Tiffany believes hope isn’t just an emotion that fluctuates based on circumstances. It’s a choice we make consciously. She said we can cultivate it by asking ourselves, “How can I go one step up the ladder of hope?” No matter where we start, we can intentionally choose to climb higher.

Cultivating Hope Daily

So how do we cultivate hope? Tiffany’s practices are simple but powerful. It starts with what we allow into our minds and spirits. From social media to the news, the input we consume directly shapes our outlook. Tiffany said it’s crucial to ask, “What am I reading? What am I watching? Who am I following online?”

Positive practices such as gratitude journaling, meditation, or surrounding ourselves with uplifting content play a key role in keeping hope alive. The phrase, “Your input shapes your outlook,” reminds us that what we feed our minds directly influences how we feel and think. Tiffany said that just as certain foods affect how our bodies feel, our mental diet—what we read, watch, and listen to—impacts our emotional well-being.

Guarding Your Mental Space

In today’s fast-paced, information-overloaded world, Tiffany believes that being a fierce protector of your mental space is essential. We need to be mindful of the voices we allow into our lives. Consuming too much negative media can drain our hope and positivity. That’s why it’s vital to intentionally guard what enters our thoughts and homes, making sure it aligns with the positive and hopeful mindset we aim to cultivate.

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude and hope are deeply interconnected. As the saying goes, “What we focus on expands.” Tiffany said if we focus on the blessings in our lives, no matter how small, we create space for more good things to come. While gratitude may not always come naturally, it’s a habit we can build, much like hope.

When we intentionally focus on the good—whether through journaling, prayer, or simply pausing to reflect—we train our minds to see more of it. Tiffany believes this conscious effort shifts our outlook, making it easier to find joy and hope even in challenging times.

Hope Through Service

Another way to foster hope is through service, Tiffany explained. Shifting the focus away from our own problems to help others creates a sense of connection and community. Serving others doesn’t erase life’s challenges, but it does provide perspective and a mood lift. When we focus on giving, we naturally build hope, both in ourselves and in those around us.


To help others embrace gratitude and hope, Tiffany offers a free coaching series every November called “The Gratitude Series.” Now in its 13th year, this series dives deep into principles like gratitude, giving back, and how to make these practices a habit rather than just a fleeting idea. You can sign up and learn more at gratitudeseries.com.

1 comment

  • Outstanding – A “Hopefulist” is what I strive to be! I will get started on my Hopeful-list right now! Thanks Studio5 and @TiffanyPeterson