What does “Positivity” mean to you?

Many people when they look at me see someone positive and bubbly, but what they don’t know is that is often not how I feel on the inside. I grew up in an environment that left me feeling less than secure and loved as a child. I was safe and my physical needs were taken care, but my emotional needs weren’t. Over time I came to believe that happiness wasn’t something that would happen to me, but that I was strong and would always persevere. Then in my mid 20’s I realized that I could be happy and that happiness was within my control. From that moment on I set out to teach myself how to be a more positive person. As I looked around, I realized I am not the only one that has grown up feeling this way and that I needed to make it my mission to spread the idea that happiness and positivity is a skill you can learn. It is within a person’s grasp once you learn the right tools to choose from. There are so many days when I wake up not feeling happy, but that is when I lean on my morning routine and other tools to shift my thoughts back to the positive side of life.  This is why I do my work with people. All of the articles I write and posts I make on social media are to show people that there are specific tools they can use to gain more positivity within themselves. Teaching people how to become more positive will ensure that they will pass these skills onto their children and then we will create a more emotionally healthy and happy world.

 

Can you specify 3 things that you do to regain your positivity and your strengths after a disappointment at work/life?

1. Honestly, I cry and feel sad. This may sound counterintuitive to being positive, but crying is a release of emotion. After a disappointment happens you have to allow yourself time to process, feel, and release the emotions. Once you do that you naturally bounce back and are able to pick yourself up and feel better about the direction of your life.

2. Get outside or go do something different. I like to go take a long drive and sing in my car, go to a coffee shop, or take my son Pokemon Go hunting. Just doing something other than sitting inside alone is the goal. Getting out allows you to stop thinking about the disappointment for a little while which helps shift your perspective. 

3. Journal. I love to journal. I write every day. It is such a helpful way to get out any negative thoughts or doubts or sadness that is sitting in the back corner of my mind. If I have had something disappointing happen I write about. I write about why I’m upset. I also write about what I want to do next and who I am thankful for. Including gratitude is a great way to shift your perspective. I also working on forgiving those who have hurt me if that relates to the disappointment. Nothing weighs you down more than being angry at other people or yourself.

 

How important is it to stay positive in achieving your goals?

In order to stay focused and not give up on myself and my goals it is so important that I stay positive. There are some days where achieving my goals feels like a lifetime away or like it will never happen. Having tools to shift my focus away from feeling this way is essential to me. If I didn’t remain mindful about my thoughts then it would be so easy to give up. If you feel like you want to give remember that there will be tough days, but it is just a moment in time and it is not lasting. Always ask yourself- “If I don’t go after this will I regret it later?” Knowing that you will regret not giving your all is a huge way to continue to stay positive.

 

What “Positive Promise” would you like to give?

I promise to call 2 friends or family members I haven’t talked for a very long time. (My mom and a friend of mine)