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Everyone strives for balance - balance in health, in thoughts, in action, in every aspect of life. When it comes to positivity there must be balance as well. Too much of a good thing can also potentially be harmful. So how does one practice balanced positivity in order to have a healthy mindset?
Too much positivity
According to New Scientist, excessive positivity, also referred to as toxic positivity, can be bad for you. Constantly forcing positivity, especially during challenging and difficult times, can result in negation or suppression of your feelings and emotions, which is not healthy. Self awareness and acknowledging your emotions for what they are, and not being afraid of them is healing and can bring you peace. Forcing certain feelings or outlooks, even positive ones, takes away from experiencing and being honest about what your feelings really are.
Negative thoughts and emotions are real. Dave Tarnowski told CNN that these feelings should be acknowledged and explored, not chased away. They are part of the human experience, and should not be censored. His approach is, “It’s OK to not be OK”. Not being OK is part of life sometimes, and when you are brave enough to accept it, that is when healing can begin.
Striking the right balance
Of course, allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by negativity and not being positive at all is not the way to go either, reported CNN. Balance is the key here. And although that is easier said than done, it all stems from honesty. And you can get there. So, it is ok to feel your negative feelings, and it is ok to feel the positive ones too. They are feelings, they are real and they don’t have to be scary. They are there for a reason, either to warn you of something, guide you towards something, or inform you of something. You don’t have to run away from them or hide from them.
To find the balance, as with many things, all you need to do is be honest. Be yourself and be authentic. The Living Better Lives blog recommends, allow yourself to feel the feelings, the good, the bad and the ugly. Feel your feelings, whatever they are, fully.
Positivity can be a great thing. It can allow you to reframe and look at a situation in a better light. But remember to use it in moderation and not as a way to suppress what you are actually really feeling. Use it as a tool to help you feel hope. And when you allow yourself to feel fully, all of your feelings, with no filter, and at the same time allow yourself to hope…beautiful things can happen.
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