What is Positive Thinking Day and why do we celebrate it?

Positive Thinking Day is celebrated annually on September 13th, with a simple goal – to encourage people to focus on the silver lining in life. The day was founded in 2003 by American entrepreneur Dr. Kirsten Harrell, who spent many years researching the connection between thoughts and health. He discovered that a positive mindset can significantly influence not only mood but also overall well-being, motivation, and interpersonal relationships.

Positive thinking isn’t about pretending problems don’t exist; it’s about how we respond to them. Instead of constantly giving in to stress and negative emotions, we can choose hope, gratitude, optimism, and the power to create positive memories. Even small steps are enough. For example, in the morning, we might choose a scent that puts us in a good mood, brew a nice cup of coffee or tea, and set ourselves up for a new day, a fresh start, and new challenges.

Why do Scents Have Such a Strong Effect on our Mood?

Scents and emotions are connected far more than we usually realise. When we catch a familiar scent, the part of the brain responsible for memories and emotions – the limbic system – is immediately activated. That’s why a single breath of a familiar fragrance can instantly take us back to childhood, to a loved one, or to moments when we felt truly happy.

Scents activate emotions. That’s why we often feel calmer, more confident, or happier – simply because our mind has linked a fragrance with a positive experience. This phenomenon is called emotional association, and it is used in aromatherapy, psychology, and even marketing. Scents can motivate us, soothe us, or lift our spirits. That is exactly why they are so powerful in everyday life.

How do Scents Support Positive Thinking?

Some fragrances can act directly on the nervous system, helping to reduce stress or improve mood. Scents that can have a positive effect on the psyche include, for example:

• Citrus scents (lemon, orange, bergamot): uplifting, energising, and awakening the mind
• Lavender: calming, relieves tension, and promotes relaxation
• Vanilla and tonka bean: evoke a sense of safety and a cosy, homely atmosphere
• Floral scents (jasmine, rose, peony): enhance mood, evoke femininity and harmony
• Woody and musky scents: provide a sense of stability, grounding, and calm

Our mind reacts to these scents naturally because they communicate directly with the brain’s emotional centre. It’s a very effective way for them to influence our day without a single word.

Everyday Fragrance as Part of a Positive Ritual

Morning is the part of the day when our brain makes choices. It can either be overwhelmed by stress, or we can consciously choose a pleasant start. Scented rituals, such as using your favourite laundry perfume, can be a small yet highly effective step towards a better mood.

Imagine this. You open your wardrobe and everything smells of cleanliness, a delicate floral hint, or a fresh citrus fragrance. You put on a T-shirt washed in a gentle perfume and feel confident, polished, and positive. During the day, if you feel anxious or unsure about what to do, you can simply breathe in the scent of your clothes, which smells exactly like home and comfort.

It’s precisely these small moments that create positive thoughts, which then influence your entire day. When you feel good in your clothes, in a fragrant space, or on a freshly made bed, your mind responds more relaxed and optimistically.

Scents and Memories: What Remains when Everything Else Fades

Scent is the most powerful trigger of memories. While images or sounds may fade over time, a fragrance can instantly transport us back to the past. It’s no coincidence that we often remember people by how they smelled. And when we find that someone’s scent is unpleasant, we struggle to connect with them, or they may seem strange or untrustworthy.

For example:

• the scent of jasmine might remind you of a summer holiday,
• the scent of vanilla of your mother’s kitchen at Christmas,
• and the scent of fresh laundry in a home where you feel safe.

When you choose your own fragrant signature, you can evoke these feelings at any time – even during stress, sadness, or fatigue. A laundry perfume or home fragrance thus acts as a quiet reminder: You are safe here. This is your space. Here, you can think positively.

How to celebrate Positive Thinking Day with Puella?

Positive thinking doesn’t require major changes – just a few conscious steps. Here are some tips to make the most of this day:

1. Start your day with gratitude – write down three things you’re grateful for, or say words of thanks for what you have or what the day ahead holds.
2. Choose a scent that energises you – citrus for vitality, floral for joy, vanilla for comfort.
3. Create your own space and fill it with fragrance – use a diffuser, home perfume, or a candle with a scent you love.
4. Choose clothes that smell wonderful – Puella laundry perfume will wrap you in a positive mood even before you leave the house.
5. Smile at yourself in the mirror – a positive mindset starts with you.
6. Share your good mood – call someone, send a kind message, or simply compliment a colleague.

Think Positively, Smell Wonderful

Positive thinking isn’t just a modern trend – it’s the ability to see the world through a different lens. Scents can play a significant role in this. They create atmosphere, evoke emotions and memories, and set the mind into a state of calm or joy.

At Puella, we believe that fragrance isn’t just about how things “smell.” It’s about how a scent makes you feel. Let Positive Thinking Day inspire you to create your own fragrant moments every day. Because when you feel good, you think positively – and when you think positively, the world becomes a more beautiful place.