Staying positive and protecting your peace with all the negativity swirling around today can be a challenge. Making self-care a top priority is the key, but it’s also a tremendous act of courage.
I’ve been feeling this vibe in big ways lately, especially now that self-care these days seems to include regularly shielding ourselves from negative news and hateful posts on social media.
The negativity that seems to be flying around us all the time can be hard to take. Political divisiveness, anger, and frustration are running rampant.
It can be difficult to stay positive and joyful when you feel like bad vibes are swallowing you up.
Not to mention the way you may be feeling about some of what’s going on in the world right now. There is certainly much to be disheartened by, and even pissed off.
If you’re a sensitive person like I am, you have to work a little harder to protect yourself from being pulled under by all the negative news and bad energy. But, when you create a strategy plan for radical self-care in this area and then stick to it, it can make a massive difference when it comes to feeling good and staying positive. Some days are difficult to tackle even with a whole toolbox of coping mechanisms. So, here are a few tips to help, even when things feel a little daunting.
It’s important to remember that staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring the issues that are important to you (we can’t simply pretend they don’t exist); it just means acknowledging them in more positive and productive ways, such as volunteering or writing letters to your elected representatives.
If you’re ready to create your own radical self care plan for staying positive during these challenging times, here are three suggestions for simple and effective strategies I’ve implemented that work pretty well.
First, spend a little time cleaning up your social media (and then spend a little less time on it all together). You don’t necessarily have to delete people who post about politics or sad animal stories, you can simply unfollow them so they don’t appear in your feeds. Then follow a few pages with positive posts and uplifting articles so you see more good stuff when scrolling.
Next, be deliberate about spending more time in nature. Seriously. It may sound cliché, but this really works. We’re only beginning to understand what all this electronic overwhelm is doing to our mental health. It’s easy to spend all day inside with our eyes on screens – phones, laptops, television sets – and not ever on actual, real life beauty. I don’t know about you, but my soul craves it. I’ve made an effort this year to greatly reduce my screen time and GO OUTSIDE. My level of peace has risen greatly since becoming much more mindful about this.
Finally, be fierce about fostering more real, in-person connection with people who lift you up. Connection on social media can be deceptive. It’s not real. Our minds and spirits need authentic, face-to-face connection with like-minded souls in order to thrive. At the same time, limit time and connection with those who criticize, make you feel crappy, or are just generally negative. You don’t have the time or energy for it.
If you’ve got more ideas for creating negativity shields and boosting positivity in today’s climate, please share them with everyone below in the comments.
Stay strong, stick to your boundaries, be a passionate seeker of joyful things, and keep a positive mindset. Don’t let other people’s negativity squash your peace.
Be willing to fight for your light.
Love,
Kristi xo
Bestselling author of Operation Happiness, now available wherever books and audiobooks are sold. ORDER HERE
