Positivity

I realised few days ago that I post mostly positive thoughts. It is not that I see “la vie en rose”, nor that nothing negative happens to me, nor that I am always happy.

And don’t think that I am hiding the worse that happens to me either: 6 “negative” posts are waiting in the draft folder, written after negative feelings, moment of blues, or rants. I didn’t finish them yet, I didn’t feel I would post them immediately, and they eventually stayed as a draft til now.

It is motivating to think that I possibly succeed in staying positive. I don’t think that’s the case, but certainly I improved a lot. Of course, living alone helps: I don’t have to bother with daily life complication since I can accommodate my time as I wish to, since I don’t depend on other’s schedule, I can change plans, or even, not be reasonable or organised for once. Life is easier. But some people around me, although they live alone, do complain a lot and seem to be depressed. So is there any secret?

I don’t know, maybe… maybe not. There are few things that I do pay attention though, or at least, things that I realise I do: (i) living the present: enjoying the landscape surrounding me by feeling the sun, the colors, the cold (!), the music, the tone of the voices, the slowness of movements; (ii) trying to put aside negative ideas or feelings, get rid of them as soon as I realized them, even though I could take some time to understand why I got these; (iii) try to see the other side of negative feelings, acts, or events, because if it comes from people, there might be a misunderstanding, and if it comes from events, that’s independent of our control; (iv) try to embrace these negative feelings…aouch, that’s the hardest!

Understand how I face these moments will hopefully help me be wiser with my family when I will be with them daily again. I am so much looking forward to this, and I wish I could stay as zen as I am right now! Lets’ hope, let’s stay positive!

By the way, did you know that yesterday, 21rst January, was the International Hugging Day? (International because it is observed in the US and in the UK!). Interestingly enough, a study published in Psychological Science Journal in 2014 revealed that hugging is very beneficial and may convey social support (Cohen et al., https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614559284). Patients infected with a virus were less likely to develop severe symptoms if they were exposed to hugs or were feeling more social support from their friends and relatives! I think I’ll turn even more hippie with these thoughts! Let’s hug!!