Underneath it all, you’re a positive pineapple too. I can tell.

If you follow my blog, you may remember that one of my power words for 2020 is positivity. (Click here to read about the other sparkling words.) So in the midst of this Coronavirus, when things feel so uncertain, I felt moved to drop in to share my tips to help you stay positive.

Because we vibe off each other, gorgeous people. So the more positivity we can spread, the more lovely faces will keep smiling.

Now here goes. I hope you find just the tonic…

 

Keep Calm – Stay Positive

I didn’t choose to write this blog post. It chose me.

I was lying on a yoga mat in my garden, minding my own business, thank you very much. The sun was tickling my face and my toddler was making giggly kid noises somewhere in the background. For the first time since this whole virus situation kicked off, I actually felt at peace.

So I lay there, soaking it in.

And then I saw it. A glorious carpet of dewdrops, shining rainbow colours as the sunlight caught their sparkle. I couldn’t help but smile.

It was in that moment of clarity the idea for blog post arrived. The inspiration swept in like a tide and I knew I had to write it.

My thoughts on how to stay positive.

Because if nothing else, writing is how I make sense of the world. If I put words on paper and keep juggling them until they make sense, some order is restored. And maybe they can help others too.

So we go. My three-wheeled stay positive plan. The one that tried to run me over when I was minding my own business on a yoga mat in the sun.

 

Stay Positive: Tip 1

Look for the Silver Lining

Now, I know this whole ‘c word’ thing is a cloud. I’m not trying to make light of it or be insensitive to anyone’s suffering.

But at this point, like many of us, I still have my health. I can’t predict the future, but I’m not the kind of girl to cross bridges before I get to them. It’s a waste of good shoes.

We’ll see.

And whilst it’s natural to worry about our families, our work, the people around us, and being stuck indoors for the foreseeable future with dwindling supplies, there’s still a gift here. Just a small one. An edge of sliver against that miserable grey. A reason to stay positive.

We get the ‘gift of spare time.’  Spare time to spend with family. Spare time not to cram in unnecessary commitments. And spare time to do the things we love.

We can read more, write more, shuffle around the kitchen in our pyjamas because we have no place to be. Hell, I’m even going to clean out my cupboards if it carries on. Move over Marie Kondo and your sparks of joy.

Yes, I would prefer to have this ‘gift of spare time’ without all the flipping bad stuff, and I fully accept I might not feel so cheery if this thing comes knocking at my door. But that’s a different bridge, for a different day. I’m not crossing it now.

For now, I choose to see the silver lining. I choose to be grateful where I can. To try and stay positive, for myself and the others who need it.

Because the situation is how it is. We don’t get to change it. But we do get to decide which lens we view it through. We can let negative thoughts consume us. Or we can look for the rainbows. Even if they’re small.

Stay Positive: Tip 2

Do Things Which Make you Feel Fierce

Like…exercise?

Perhaps the reason I was so chipper when this blog post came to me is that I’d just been for a run. Up a steep gradient. Pushing a toddler in a running buggy.

Why? It’s not because I’m any good at it. (Think Phoebe from Friends in that park.) It’s because doing something tough makes me feel fierce. Unstoppable. Like I can overcome anything.

And that’s the kind of positivity I need right now. The wildly relentless sort.

(Full disclosure – the thing with the yoga mat? That was just me attempting sit-ups. I’m rubbish at yoga. I keep cricking my neck.)

Exercise used to be my go-to thing, before the toddler. (I can hugely recommend it if you like a rush of endorphins akin to pigging out on chocolate. You’ll definitely feel more positive.)

Of course, I barely have time to get sweaty these days. But now we’ve got this ‘gift of spare time’ situation, who knows. Maybe I’ll be cracking out my Phoebe run in a park near you.

Or a thrilling cold shower!

But if I can’t tempt you into a bit of Jane Fonda, how about a cold shower to make you feel fierce?

(Honestly, bear with me. You’ll feel positive after one of these – even if it’s only when you get out!)

I’ve discovered cold showers recently, and wow, what a revelation. Something on YouTube (obviously true) suggested huge health benefits. (Something about shocking your body into getting rid of toxins? Anyway, look it up. It sounded good.)

What I love about cold showers is the challenge.

Standing just inches away, daring myself to get in and stay in. And when I do, I feel alive. Like I can conquer anything the day throws at me.

After a few moments I acclimatise, and don’t even notice much difference. Then when I get out, I feel awake and energised, like a rocket that might take off.

(OK, some days my toes feel like ice blocks for at least an hour. But apart from that…)

So if you want to feel positive, why not do something that makes you feel brave too? And let me know how it goes. I’m rooting for you.

 

Stay Positive: Tip 3

Smile at the Little Things

Which brings us back to me lounging on my backside in the grass looking at these rainbow dewdrops.

When I saw them, I couldn’t stop beaming. Usually I would have just thought huh, cute.

But with everything that’s going on, I’m taking every excuse to stop and smile.

Smiling is free, after all.

And it makes our brain release chemicals into our bloodstream which actually make us feel happy (and lower our heart rate and blood pressure too. What a bonus.)

So smile, lovely lady. Hell, laugh if you can. You could even combine it with some yoga, if you haven’t got a crickey neck like me. I hear laughter yoga is quite the thing.

(As an aside, I wish I’d taken a photo of these multicoloured dewdrops. I almost don’t believe they were real. Instead, I decided to be mindful. To enjoy the moment rather than race off and find my phone. And by the time I was ready to go and grab it, my toddler had squashed the morning dew with his tractor. Oops. That’s life for you.)

 

Sending Good Vibes

I hope you and your loved ones stay well through all of this. Take care of yourselves. I’m sending love, positivity, and all of the strength I have spare.

If you’re trying to stay positive too, or you just need a cosy corner to curl up in, you’re welcome to come and shelter in our Facebook group, Chick Lit and Prosecco. We talk about books, build friendships and cheer each other on. This week we’re even having five days of gratitude, where we are sharing the little things we are grateful for. Take a peek. It’s my very favourite community.

 

I Would Love to Know…

I would love to hear your tips to stay positive when life gets in the way. Please do scroll down to the comments box and share them. Let’s start a wave of good vibes.

And as always, thank you so much for reading. You’re my pineapple in a world of apples.

Big love

Anita

Writer, Blogger, Author of Funny Love Stories

 

PS – if you want more good vibes and positivity to keep you going through all of this, you’re welcome to sign up to my mailing list. Let’s keep in touch…xx