Podcast Ep 8: Forcing Yourself to be Positive?

Do you force yourself to be positive? In recent times I’ve noticed many of us forcing each other to be positive. What’s going on here – is this healthy? What is being positive? That’s today’s podcast – have a listen right here…

…but if you can’t have a listen, then you can read what I’ve said too:

Just in case you wish to watch a video version of this podcast (with captions/subtitles) then you can right here or scroll down for the trasncript:

Forcing Yourself to be Positive?

“Hi hellooo I’m Shruti and this is my podcast space where I speak about life lessons, chronic conditions, mental and physical health tips and experiences.

I wanted to share something that I’ve seen happening for a while now…

So first, let’s go into flashback mode…

A couple of decades back when the internet wasn’t as much of an influence, when a few would speak about positivity on chat shows or through their books, it sounded refreshing – it sounded nice and something that you could genuinely work towards through small changes in your everyday approach to life – through your actions and your response to challenges.

It didn’t feel complex. Being positive felt doable and quite natural actually.

But I don’t know what’s happened, there was this shift, whether it was the growth of social media or more people writing about it – but something changed.

Over the recent years I have found that you’re not allowed to mention something that’s bothering you before someone jumps on you reminding you about being positive.

In that incident and many like it where someone’s just jumped on me to tell me off, all I wanted to do was to allow myself to be human and to express annoyance or anger, or frustration on a situation. Expressing it didn’t mean I was being negative or ungrateful – yes, if that was my standard behaviour, then yeah, you could tell me off.

But I began to realise that some people around me were over-thinking their brains to be positive.

They had this mantra going on in their head says “I have to be positive, I have to be positive, O’ this has to be positive” – it almost sounded as if these people were scared of the slightest bit of negativity.

They were even getting upset at themselves for their inability to maintain their positiveness! They were being very unkind by disliking themselves for not being able to be positive. It was just sad to see.

Do you know of such people because I was beginning to notice them spurt around me!

And, if you’re one of those people – I really wish to ask – when you’re upset with yourself for not being positive, aren’t you then being negative?

Why pull yourself down for being human?

I’ve never understood that – why not experience all emotions, but obviously not allow these emotions to consume you, it shouldn’t rule you or take over your entire being.

Maybe think about what positivity really means.

For me, being positive is:

• being comfortable with my emotions
• giving myself a pep talk when I’m struggling with something
• being realistic and seeing things as they are
• problem solving rather than sulking or worrying
• recognising the things I should be grateful for in my life
• being appreciative of others
• respecting myself and standing up for myself
• admitting when I’m wrong
• taking care of my body, be it through physiotherapy, what I eat, maintaining my hair and skin
• meditating, gardening
• consuming content that I enjoy
• laughing at my goofiness
• speaking with a smile on my face – this always lifts me up! 😀

All of these things and more makes me feel positive. My actions are far more important and so is allowing myself to be. It’s so freeing and light.

Yes getting into a positive frame of mind and making it a habit is tough, but you have to give yourself time and others too – don’t pull yourself down. Don’t force people to be positive, don’t turn the word ‘positive’ into something that irritates people more, don’t push yourself and others, don’t make it toxic.

Let everyone lead their journey – watch out for them, share your point of view but, don’t impose.

Being positive is great, but it won’t come if you’re stopping yourself from being human, it’ll come over time as we make small, basic and conscious changes.

If you’re looking for ways to get started on being positive, then do go over the ways I’ve mentioned earlier in this podcast of when I spoke of what being positive is for me at least.

But if you would like to me go over any particular point then please get in touch with me over email [email protected] is my email address or through Instagram which is also @footprintsnoboundaries and let me know.

Thank you so much for listening… I’ll be back next week…

b-byeee :)”

Some Relevant Reading:

• Does Being Grateful Help Improve Chronic Illnesses? (with video)
• Is My Pain Real or Imagined? How to Get Rid of Self-Doubt When Having a Chronic Illness
• How A Mouth Guard Has (Almost) Cured My Migraine

So, what did you think of today’s podcast? Would love it and be very thankful if you shared your thoughts in the comments section below.

Previous: Podcast Episode 7 – “I Wish I Was Ill Like You” – Truth About Chronic Illness

Up Next: Podcast Episode 9 – The Benefits of Admitting Your Wrongs

If you’re a social media person, then you can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a patient and have created this platform to share my experiences. This is all purely informative and in no way am I providing medical advice. Please consult a medical professional.