Thursday, October 16, 2014

On Being Positive

With the recent purchase of our first home, it's fair to say that the past month has been an especially good one for me. As someone who tries her best to live a positive, healthy life, I'm also the first to admit that attitude matters and that negativity really doesn’t get me anywhere. That said, there are definitely times when I will, without any added guilt, allow myself to feel sad, angry or just generally unhappy.

One of the many reasons I think people suffer in silence when feeling sad or depressed is because there’s a social stigma associated with being unhappy and admitting that we don’t all have the picture perfect lives we believe we’re supposed to. Instead of showing the world our true selves, we portray ideal versions of our careers, homes, relationships and more via social media, succumbing to the pressure to be happy and positive at all times, believing that if we aren’t able to do it all and have it all, we have hopelessly failed.  


(via Live It Up

Honestly, I do this, too, trying not to talk too much about the bad experiences and challenges, even though, really, the past few years have been a mixed bag for me, bringing both some of the best and hardest days of my life. And isn’t that the way life usually is, a series of ups and downs, good times and bad times?

In certain ways, my life today is better than I ever imagined it could be. In others, it isn’t. And that’s OK. I’ll keep finding the answers, being positive when I can, allowing myself to work through negative emotions when I need to, and knowing that in the end, it’s all a part of this crazy, wild adventure we share.


(via Anna Grrrl)

Do you ever feel pressured to be positive no matter what or to portray a "perfect" life? 

12 comments:

  1. I like these quotes! But I agree about the pressures. That is why I haven't been able to bring myself to blog since spring. It is too hard pretending things are fine, when I've had a really, really rough year, so it's been easier to just withdraw. I appreciate this post though, it is good to know others don't always have things going perfectly all the time.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear you've had a really rough year, Morgan. I see so many articles and posts about the importance of being positive, and it's just not realistic all the time. This post is part of my effort to let go of perfectionism and just be real.

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  2. Great quotes, unfortunately, it hits a little close to home as I recently experienced first hand the emotional toll of having to constantly keep up a "strong" and "care-free" persona. You just have to keep on going, though.

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    1. I'm sorry about your recent experience, Nali. I think it definitely helps us all to know that others aren't perfect, either, and that when we're going through hard times, we're not alone.

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  3. last week was a tough one for me--heck the month, but i know it will pass and that i'm not alone

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    1. I hope this week goes better for you, Elle! You're definitely not alone. :)

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  4. I love that quote. It IS ok to be not ok, sometimes.

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    1. I love it, too. Sometimes, you just have to be not OK.

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  5. I definitely hear you and you're right - it's ok not to be ok. Bloggers especially may not portray all aspects of our lives (which is certainly our prerogative) but we all have our ups and downs. I've gone through a similar couple of years as you with high highs and low lows. I just trust in time things will work out and more importantly I do what I can to change things! I know you will do the same too dear!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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    1. You are definitely right about the importance of working to change things for the better. It's OK to not be OK, but we should always strive to live the best life possible.

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  6. It's funny, I don't feel pressured to be positive because it is just the way I am but when I am not feeling positive I get down on myself because I generally am. I don't know if that makes any sense. It is like if I'm not being positive I've failed because I love to see the bright side of everything. But the last few years have def. taken their toll on me. I still try my hardest to be positive but I allow myself to be OK with feeling sad, angry and down right negative. I think it helps with sanity sometimes.

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    1. I totally understand where you're coming from, Faith. I sometimes get down on myself for not always being positive, but I think it helps to not be so hard on ourselves about it.

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