I recently did a podcast interview and was asked the question, “What has life been like for you with COVID-19?”. Talk about a loaded question. I have been dealing with a mixed bag of emotions this year. I have had folks close to me lose so much, and I know others who have gained a lot. I’ve personally lost a business but gained a new one that’s opening more doors. I’ve have had to quarantine from my mom and youngest brother for the past six months. Still, I have built new friendships and added more exercise into my life by having socially distant walking meetings.
This year I have done some digging into positivity for myself and clients.
Positivity is the practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.
When it comes down to it, healthy positivity during difficult situations can be challenging however a healthy dose of positivity is quite useful in the midst of turmoil. There are several significant benefits:
Positivity helps to keeps your spirits up during difficult times
Positivity leaves space for creativity if you feel stuck in a sticky situation
Positivity improves resiliency to recover from emotionally strenuous situations
Positivity increases your capacity to forgive
Positivity increases productivity and performance in your personal and professional life
Positivity strengthens relationships
Positivity flows on a spectrum. @Chronicwellnessnurse made a great example to show what the positivity spectrum looks like (Image Below). It’s important to know that there is such a thing as toxic positivity. Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania who specializes in, among other things, anxiety disorders and self-esteem. “Toxic positivity is the assumption, either by one’s self or others, that despite a person’s emotional pain or difficult situation, they should only have a positive mindset or — my pet peeve term — ‘positive vibes,”
It was important for me to bring this up because positivity doesn’t mean that you ignore the reality of the situations around you. Finding your own personal positivity “balance” is essential. It's also to know that your positivity “balance” can change over time or situation to situation.
Take time to reflect and journal on this thought.
With this new information on positivity in mind, Is it wrong to be positive in times of turmoil?
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