This article was written by one of the dozen independent journalists who received scholarships to the 2026 ASJA conference.
It’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of negativity these days. The turbulent job market, a relentless news cycle, inflation, and a trillion other factors.
I have to admit that I even had trouble finishing this piece due to the daily minutiae of trying to stay positive when so much is happening personally and in the world.
However, even with professional uncertainty, I’ve found that rituals of optimism have kept me hopeful in a career that keeps shifting.
Rituals of optimism are daily habits that encourages a change in mindset—a topic that was well covered by speakers in multiple sessions at the 2026 ASJA virtual conference.
In a rapidly changing industry, adding these daily practices can help writers to remain positive.
What is a Ritual of Optimism?
The primary goal of these rituals is to inspire hope. Designed to rewire your negative thought patterns to inspire hope, rituals of optimism are deliberate and intentional.
Rituals of optimism can be small habits or grand gestures. Either way, I’m convinced that they work. Before the conference, I’d already been unknowingly incorporating quite a few rituals of optimism into my daily routine. Every morning, I start the day with a gratitude practice. I pull my journal from beneath my bed, scribble down highlights of my dreams and write down three things I’m excited about for the day. I’ve been doing this since high school, but it’s always been a way to start the day off in a good mood (even if it turns sour later).
Other habits that have helped me have been listening to subliminal tracks while working, going for a short, midday walk, and watching or reading something humorous in the evening.
Conference Speakers Share Their Favorite Rituals of Optimism
At the conference, keynote speaker, social media strategist, and self-described “creatorpreneur” Jayde I. Powell encouraged attendees to “Pick things that you have the energy for.” Discoverability can support rituals of optimism because you move towards alignment and away from chasing, she said.
Powell also emphasized that the quality of social media content is more important than quantity, and encouraged people to produce content with intention. “Making a real impact with the content that you create is like a boomerang because change inspires more positivity,” she said.
For journalists, another ritual of optimism is getting out into the community, according to Tonya Todd, who spoke at a session on building an audience for your work without engaging on social media “Optimism is found in many places–the local library, writers groups, and other events,” Henderson said.
Keynote speaker Tina Roth Eisenberg mirrored that advice. She stressed the importance to journalists and authors of finding their people and doing the things you love.
That’s an important ritual of optimism that can sometimes get lost in the grind of finding work, especially as a freelancer. But Peter Shankman, the Source of Sources founder and a speaker on the “Journalists’ Toolkit”session, reminded attendees to “take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.” According to Shankman, when people feel whole, we will have a more positive outlook in matters of career (and anything else).
Sometimes, creating rituals of optimism is easier said than done. Give yourself plenty of grace when you’re trying to create daily habits.
I’m happy to have learned of a few new habits at the conference, and I’m eager to put the panelists’ advice into practice.
What are some of your rituals of optimism that help you as a journalist or author? Please share on the ASJA members-only Facebook page.
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Tonya Abari is a Nashville-based independent journalist, essayist, and author whose work appears in Essence, USA Today, Prism Reports, and more, and received scholarship to attend the 2026 ASJA conference. She covers maternal and reproductive health, environmental justice, and food and human-centered stories from marginalized communities. Learn more at www.tonyaabari.com or @iamtabari on Instagram.