THE RIGHT WAY TO THINK POSITIVE
You’ve heard it a million times: ‘Think positively, be grateful!’ It’s become virtually impossible to scroll down your Instagram feed without seeing a barrage of posts with messages like, ‘Inhale The Good, Exhale The Bad’. It’s a #PositiveVibes takeover!
Yet, when ‘life happens’, no amount of positive thinking, laws of attraction, and self-help books seem to work. In fact, we find ourselves feeling emptier than ever. So while positive thinking is well-intentioned, it only works when you allow for negative thinking as well. Don’t believe us? Studies at Harvard and Stanford have actually proven that ignoring or overexpressing unresolved emotions is actually toxic. The next time you feel terrible because you’ve lost your job, boyfriend, or a loved one, and anyone tells you to be grateful, positive and strong, just ignore them (in your head).
UAE-based Acceptance-Commitment Therapist, Mindfulness Consultant and the Founder of the Free Spirit Project, Briar Jaques busts positive thinking myths:
