Written by Ashish Singh, Life Coaching and Healing
Ashish, founder of the calm mind life coaching in Toronto GTA, ranks among the top 10 life coaches, blending eastern wisdom and western techniques in his 'Medit-action' approach. With 15 years of experience, he's committed to enriching lives, promoting peace and clarity, and charting paths to success and happiness—one mind at a time.
In our age of curated Instagram posts and relentless motivational talks, a heavy expectation has emerged: the obligation to be incessantly positive. The societal push to suppress any sentiment that isn't wrapped in sunshine is not just daunting but potentially harmful. While positivity is powerful, so is understanding and embracing the full spectrum of our emotional experiences.
The fallacy of constant happiness
In our constant quest for happiness, we've sidestepped a crucial understanding: all emotions, not just the positive ones, are significant. It's time to celebrate all our emotions. A flood of inspirational content might have made us feel that we must always be in high spirits, but that’s far from the truth. This unrealistic standard has given rise to Toxic Positivity.
Many feel pressured to wear a mask of continuous happiness, believing it's a testament to their strength or resilience. Social media platforms, awash with snapshots of perfect moments, further fuel the illusion that life should be one long highlight reel.
The danger of emotional suppression
This pressure can lead to emotional suppression. When we deny our feelings—whether sadness, anxiety, anger, or frustration—we create an internal pressure cooker. Unacknowledged or unprocessed emotions don't disappear; they simmer beneath the surface and can eventually lead to an explosive release.
The truth about positive people
The most resilient and positive individuals aren't those who never experience negative emotions. Instead, they understand that these feelings are a natural part of the human experience. Their strength lies in navigating them effectively. They've mastered the art of acknowledging their feelings, understanding their sources, and finding constructive outlets.
Consider Michelle, a renowned entrepreneur who radiates positivity on her social platforms. What many don’t see is her journey through the valleys of self-doubt, stress, and occasional despair. What sets Michelle apart isn’t the absence of negative emotions, but her proficiency in acknowledging, understanding, and moving past them with agility.
The research behind emotions
Our varied emotional responses have evolutionary roots and serve specific purposes:
Anxiety: Helped early humans anticipate threats.
Sadness: Promoted social bonding during loss.
Anger: Ensured survival and fair treatment.
Fear: Triggered a fight-or-flight response to danger.
However, social conditioning has made some of these responses irrational. What once protected us in the wild now manifests as disproportionate reactions to modern-day stressors. Research highlights the dangers of staying in these emotions for too long, leading to chronic stress and mental health issues. Constantly suppressing emotions can result in increased anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems. To conquer these emotions, one needs to actively engage in healthy practices and adopt coping strategies that promote emotional well-being. Understanding these origins can help us manage our emotions as natural parts of our human experience while recognizing when they are no longer serving their original purpose.
Navigating negative emotions: Practical tips
Acknowledge Your Emotions: Recognize and accept your feelings to prevent intensification.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness meditation to anchor yourself in the present moment.
Journaling: Write down your feelings to understand them better and gain fresh perspectives.
Physical Activity: Engage in activities like walking, yoga, or gym sessions to lift your mood.
Redirect Energy: Channel emotions like anger or frustration into productive tasks or hobbies.
Limit Exposure: Reduce exposure to triggers that consistently spark negative emotions.
Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend or seek professional counseling for valuable insight and relief. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
In conclusion
In today's landscape of filtered realities and the ubiquitous "be positive" mantra, it's vital to remember that our emotions, in all their complexity, make us intrinsically human. Every pang of sadness, flare-up of anger, or moment of anxiety has its roots in our evolutionary history, serving purposes that can, with understanding, be channeled constructively.
Constantly chasing happiness might inadvertently make us run from the very emotions that bring depth, understanding, and growth to our lives. Instead of fearing or suppressing these feelings, let's lean into them. Let's recognize their value, learn from their messages, and harness the tools and techniques to navigate them with grace.
By doing so, we aren't just pursuing happiness – we're seeking a rich, textured, and genuine life experience. It's in this full embrace of our emotional palette that we find true resilience, growth, and ultimately, a deeper form of contentment.
As the saying goes, "Positive people snap out of negative emotions quickly because they understand that it's not about avoiding the storm but learning to dance in the rain." It's okay to cry, it's okay to feel angry, but what's not okay is to stay and live in these emotions for too long. If you need help navigating through these feelings, please feel free to reach out to me for support.
Ashish Singh, Life Coaching and Healing
Ashish Singh, the founder of The Calm Mind Life Coaching, has transformed his personal battles with anxiety and depression into a beacon of hope for others. His journey, marked by profound struggles and ultimate triumph over mental health challenges, fuels his passion to ensure that no one faces such trials alone. Through The Calm Mind Life Coaching, based in the heart of Toronto, Ashish offers a sanctuary for those seeking tranquility in the tumult of life.
Introducing 'Medit-Action', Ashish merges meditation's calm with practical steps, akin to a mental gym for building resilience against mental health issues. This innovative approach draws from Eastern and Western philosophies, guiding individuals towards lasting calmness and happiness.
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