Anybody who has been on any of my social media accounts can tell you that the internet is where I let out everything. All my anger, sadness, confusion, and frustration is typed out into quips or rants and posted for the world to see. It is rare that there is a post with a positive message.
During an event I attended recently, I was challenged by a woman I hold in high regards to only post positive messages on my social media accounts for the next six months. At first, I laughed the challenge off. But then, as I thought about it more, I decided to take the challenge on.
The first few posts felt forced. They felt fake. And I sent a message to my friend to ask her how I could apply these words, which were essentially nothing without real-life enforcement, to my every day life. After several messages, I realized that I didn't have to be one of those people -- you know, the ones that are unnecessarily happy about every little thing that happens in their lives? - to be a positive person. I realized it's OK to be sad.
It's OK to be upset when something happens at work that makes the shift a little bit harder.
It's OK to be angry if your car breaks down at a time when you really can't afford to be without a car.
It's OK to cry when you get in a fight with someone close to you.
It's OK to have emotions.
What's not OK is dwelling on those emotions. This is where the constant negativity comes from. Instead, you can be sad for 11 whole seconds. That's right. Then, you need to find the positive in the situation and apply that to making a change.
So when something happens at work that makes the shift a little bit harder, be upset. Then, 11 seconds later, tell yourself that it's a new challenge that you can face and overcome.
When your car breaks down at a time when you can't really live without one, it's acceptable to be angry. And then, after a run through of "Happy Birthday" (10-11 seconds depending on your tempo), tell yourself that it was time for an upgrade anyways and start shopping around for new options.
After that fight with a loved one, it's OK to shed a tear or two. But after a brief cry, wipe the tears away and realize that maybe the fight means that something needs to change in your life to either improve the relationship or move on from it.
It's OK to have emotions. In fact, it's important to have emotions. It's also important to accept those emotions as real and valid. What isn't OK is letting those emotions take over your entire life and turn you into a big moving ball of negative energy.
This is a lesson that I am still in the process of learning. But, one positive Facebook post at a time, I am learning to live a more positive lifestyle for myself and for the sake of those around me.
