Each week with these emails I attempt to show you something small you can try that will hopefully bring you some Mental Sunshine.
This week, I want to talk about the idea of always thinking the best.
So grab those rose-tinted glasses, and let’s get going!
I saw a video on social media recently, where someone suggested a new “life hack”
Basically, you make up positive stories about what is going on around you
And if you’re thinking that’s bonkers
Just remember: you’ve been making up negative stories about these things for your entire life!
So why not just switch it and tell positive stories instead?
That person who sped past you in their car just now? Probably on their way to a family emergency.
The stranger looking at you in the supermarket? Probably admiring your outfit.
The group of people standing in the middle of the pavement to have a chat while you have to step into the road to get past? Probably haven’t seen each other in years; perhaps they’re commiserating about a recent family tragedy.
The point is: you never know.
We assume that person speeding in their car is just some self-important idiot – but we don’t know that.
We assume a stranger staring at us is judging or being rude – but we don’t know that.
People blocking the pavement are irritating – but only if we assume they’re just being ignorant.
So why not just assume something nicer?
At the end of the day, whether we think that person speeding in their car is a massive, inconsiderate idiot, or we assume they’re rushing to an emergency…
It makes no difference to the other person; only to us.
So then if it makes no difference to anyone else – why not choose to assume the best?