Some tips for staying positive during a period of uncertainty
There’s no denying that the world feels tricky right now. I’ve spent much of this weekend worrying - worrying about my elderly grandparents and other family members who fall into the high risk category, worrying about whether my small business will survive this period of uncertainty, worrying about how all this worrying is bad for my health… you get the gist.
And I know so many of you guys are feeling the same way. It’s a scary and unprecedented situation, and I don’t want to play down the very real concerns that we all have. But I also wanted to remind you that amongst all of that worry, we can still access joy. That amongst all of the fear, we can still find glimmers of hope and happiness and positivity, and that there are things we can proactively do to make life feel a little more optimistic.
So that’s what today’s letter is all about - staying positive during a period of uncertainty. I’ve tried to keep the tips as practical and actionable as possible, and I really hope they help. If you have any more to add then please hit reply and let me know - I’m trying to share as much positivity and advice on Instagram as possible, so I’ll be sure to share them there!
Disconnect from the rolling news cycle
With so much access to news, both local and global, it can be tempting to spend all day everyday reading the BBC news website, hitting refresh every 10 minutes and gorging ourselves on just about every fact, figure and story available. But the truth is, consuming all of that information isn’t useful in any way - all it does is add to our collective feeling of anxiety and unease.
So, while the world feels a little bit crazy, try to disconnect from the rolling news cycle. Checking in once or twice or day is more than enough, and if you’d rather checkout completely, think about asking a trusted friend or loved one to keep you up to speed with any changes. And of course, be more vigilant than ever about where you’re getting your news from - now is not the time to start reading the Daily Mail!
Be conscious of what else you’re consuming
I love a crime drama or a hard hitting documentary as much as the next person, but when you’re already feeling a little bit wobbly, consuming lots of anxiety inducing content can make you feel even worse. Instead, prioritise books with happy endings, funny podcasts, feel good films and TV shows that allow you to switch off for a little while.
I’ve been loving Love Is Blind on Netflix (which is so addictive!), the Off Menu podcast, Libby Page’s brilliant novels, and all of Nora Ephron’s iconic films - we watched Julie & Julia last night and it was the perfect comfort watch!
Focus on the here and now
We all know the importance of living in the present moment, but I don’t think that has ever been more necessary than it is right now. None of us know what the future will hold, but worrying about it won’t change anything - it just robs us of this time that we have right here, right now.
Instead, try to focus on tasks that ground you in the present moment. Some of my favourite grounding activities include cooking, meditating, doing some yoga, curling up with a good book and catching up with friends - all of these things will help you to step back from your worry for a little while so that you can just be.
Practice gratitude
You guys know that I recommend gratitude practice for just about everything, but that’s because it works. Feeling thankful for all of the good in your life is one of the most effective ways to ward off any bad feelings, so grab a blank piece of paper or your notebook, and get writing!
Remember that there’s nothing too big or small to put on your list - write down the names of the people you love, list the parts of your work that bring you the most joy, and if that hot cuppa you’re drinking right now is putting a smile on your face, get that down on paper too! When you’re done, pin the list up somewhere that you’ll see it often.
Focus on what you can do
When there’s so much going on that we can’t control, I find that focusing on what you can control can really help. For me, that’s looked like donating to causes who might need a bit of extra help at this time (local food banks and homeless shelters are good examples), batch cooking some soups and stews for our freezer, and checking on family members and friends who might need a little help.
Another thing that’s helped me is to make a list of fun and useful things I can do if we have to spend more time at home than usual - for example, on my list I’ve got the DIY jobs we’ve been putting off, the books I’d love to read and the crafts I could complete. Having this list tucked away has made me feel a little more prepared.
Lean on your community
Finally, now is the time to lean on your community - we need each other more than ever! Call your friends and family, share those funny GIFs in your Whatsapp group, send snail mail to anyone who might enjoy it and spread as much joy and positivity as you can within your social circles.
Connection is so important, and I wholeheartedly believe that the best way to get through all of this is by supporting each other. One little mantra that’s helping me is to ask myself “how can I operate from a place of love rather than fear?”, and I think if we all held that intention dear, life would be easier for everyone.
How are you prioritising positivity right now?
