Weekly: How we got positivity wrong
Old Happy: "Pretend to be okay."
New Happy: "Honor what's true."
In Old Happy culture, we’re told to always be positive. And what does that positivity look like? Burying your real feelings under a layer of false smiles; never, ever complaining or speaking up about difficult things; and forcing yourself to suppress your pain and suffering.
But this is not true positivity. When I think about someone who is a positive person, I don’t think of someone who is faking their way through the day. I think about someone who is facing their challenges courageously, making authentic choices, and striving to help other people.
That’s because true positivity has nothing to do with how smiley you are. True positivity is about making the choice to embrace your emotions and experiences, and then to learn from them. In our world, what could be more positive than accepting what is and then trying to find a way to use it that benefits yourself and others?
Take a moment now and allow yourself to feel any emotions that you have been suppressing, labeling them as they come up. Then, ask yourself: “What does this have to teach me?” That's true positivity in action.
Tips and Tools
1. Worthy always — This week's animation.
2. This time — Hold on.
3. It's the reward — A different way to approach motivation.
4. Our joy — Let's share it.
5. Kindness matters — Why you should treat yourself well.
More from TNH
Book — Order New Happy today to find true happiness.
Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less
Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.
Articles — Read more articles on our website.
Community
What's a moment of real joy you've had lately?
"Playing with my new dog."
"Letting myself be comforted by a friend."
"Drawing in chalk on the sidewalk."
"A coffee with friends."
"Watching my favorite movie I've seen so many times, it was comforting."
"Going to bed at 8pm and sleeping for eleven straight hours."
Before You Go
The Definitive Guide to Happiness
A groundbreaking new approach based on a decade’s worth of research and brought to life with beautiful artwork, New Happy shows you the proven path to happiness.
No spam, just joy.
